Who We Are

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, We Offer Paragliding Instruction at Several Sites in Northern California.

Owner/Operator Jesse Meyers is passionate about what he does!   Just about every one of Jesse’s numerous nominators cited his positive, friendly, cheerful attitude, and his love for paragliding, as major qualifications for this Instructor of the Year award. “His passion comes through in his teaching methods, and students always leave the training hill with a smile.”

Lift Paragliding is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer paragliding instruction at several sites within the Bay Area. You will be given all around flying knowledge, from smooth coast side ridge soaring to flying in thermals with the eagles high above the mountains. With up to date knowledge, top notch training equipment, and a smooth training atmosphere, you will become a strong safe pilot. We strive to make each lesson Safe, Fun, and productive towards your goal.

Are you ready to learn to fly and set yourself free? Or ready to take an instructional tandem flight in the mountains or over the ocean at the beautiful coast side? Lift Paragliding is a school to help you see your dreams. We offer 1-day, 2-day, Novice Programs, Advanced Programs, Coaching, Instructional Tandem Flights, and Paragliding tours to some of the best paragliding sites in the world.

Jesse Meyer

Jesse Meyer – Owner & Paragliding Instructor

USHPA 2013 Instructor of the Year

Flying has always been more than just a sport to me — it’s a passion, and sharing that passion with others is what I love most.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best instructors in the country, and my goal is to pass that knowledge and experience on to every student and pilot I work with.

My paragliding adventures have taken me from the mountains of Alaska to the coastal ridges of California, the soaring skies of Mexico, and the beautiful landscapes of Hawaii, Chile, Morocc0, and Spain.

As an Advanced Paragliding Instructor, Tandem Instructor, and Advanced Rated Pilot, I’m dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive learning environment where students can build confidence, develop strong flying skills, and become safe, independent pilots.

At Lift Paragliding, it’s about more than learning to fly. It’s about adventure, personal growth, building friendships, and experiencing the incredible freedom of flight.

Email to: Jesse@LiftParagliding.com

David Lift Paragliding

David Blacklock

Dave Blacklock – Instructor
USHPA 2024 Instructor of the Year

Dave has been flying paragliders since 2015, but his dream of flying began long before that. As a kid, he jumped off the garage roof with a bedsheet and held his hand out the car window, imagining what it would feel like to truly fly. He always knew that someday he’d find a way to make that dream a reality.

Motorcycling and scuba diving gave him a taste of that freedom, but once he discovered paragliding, he was hooked!

Dave’s wife, Julie, is also a pilot, and together they share a passion for flying, traveling, and exploring incredible paragliding destinations around the world.

In 2019, Dave earned his USHPA Instructor Certification, combining two things he loves most: flying and teaching.

For Dave, the greatest reward of being an instructor is watching students transform from nervous but excited beginners into confident pilots who are finally living their own dreams of flight.

And if you’re looking for Dave on the training hill, he’s easy to find — just follow the sound of his laughter!

What Billy Says

Bay Area Lift Paragliding

“I am a retired Marine F/A-18 pilot and current Airline Pilot. I am also a Hang III, skydiver, and have owned and flown 2 PPG, but I never got my USHPA Paragliding rating. I had a longer layover in SFO and decided to see if I could coordinate a lesson while in town. I called several Paragliding schools but was only able to reach Lift Paragliding and Jesse Meyer. I explained my background and my desire to spend the day flying. Jesse coordinated everything for me including a pick up and a ride to the training site! Jesse had another student and fit me in with him. Jesse Meyer turned out to be one of the best instructors I have worked with. He taught to both of us but focused on the needs and experience of each student in a way that he was able to get the most out of both of us. His teaching manner is fun, his knowledge is excellent, and he impressed me all day with his technique and ability to make to most out of the day!”

Billy Wilson

What Peter Says

“Lift is an amazing school. When my wife Anja and I decided to go paragliding I was worried that two days will not get us flying. But Jesse and Harry did an amazing job and got us off the ground on the first day and even got us down the 300ft mountain comfortably and safe on day 2. We had so much fun that we will go for our pilot license now. I can just recommend that school to everyone who wants to learn paragliding with fun and being safe.”
Peter W
Mountain View, CA

Schedule A Lesson