BHPA paragliding, paramotor & parakite school · Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall

Learn to fly with Sky Riders

Courses for every stage, from your first day handling a wing to flying solo. Small groups, patient BHPA instructors and private flying sites across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

Find your course

Book a taster day

BHPA approved school

Max 4 students per instructor

Rated 5.0 on Google

Courses

Where would you like to start?

Every course follows the BHPA training system, so each one builds on the last. Not sure which is right for you? Start with a taster day or ask us.

Taster Day

£2501 day

Day one of your training, with no commitment. Meet the team, handle a wing and maybe leave the ground. If you carry on, it counts as your first day and the £250 comes off your course fee.

View course →

Beginner paragliding training at Kimmeridge Bay with Sky Riders

Elementary Pilot (EP)

£750About 3 days

Your first paragliding course. Learn to launch, fly and land a simple flight plan under instruction. Booked separately, before Paragliding Club Pilot.

View course →

Soaring a paraglider in Morocco with Sky Riders

Paragliding Club Pilot (Hill)

£1,000About 10 days, weather dependent

Learn to soar, top land and fly alongside other pilots on the Jurassic Coast, so you can fly without an instructor at club sites.

View course →

New

Parakite Club Pilot

£1,500About 7 days, weather dependent

New for 2026 and built with the BHPA. Go straight to parakiting on the coast without the usual hill training first, or convert from paragliding.

View course →

Paramotor training with Sky Riders in Somerset

Paramotor Club Pilot

£2,500About 10 days

From complete beginner to flying solo under power in Somerset, with no separate EP course needed. Launches, landings, engine-out practice and airspace.

View course →

Learning to read air maps for cross-country flying

Pilot Rating & Advanced

Price on requestVaries by course

Pilot rating for cross-country flying, SIV over water, tandem pilot training and reserve parachute packing with Wingtrim.

View course →

How it works

From beginner to qualified pilot

The BHPA rating scheme takes you step by step from your first lesson to flying on your own. Read the full guide.

Taster day
Day one of any course. Try it with no commitment, and the £250 comes off your course fee if you carry on.
Elementary Pilot
Paragliding only. Learn to launch, fly and land under instruction. Paramotor and parakite students go straight to Club Pilot.
Club Pilot
Fly without an instructor at club and private sites, with £5m BHPA insurance.
Pilot rating
Leave the hill and fly cross-country. Also opens up more sites and competitions.

Why choose Sky Riders?

We're a BHPA-approved school run by pilots who love teaching. Our instructors are highly qualified and put safety first, and we keep groups small (never more than four students per instructor) so you get proper, personal coaching and build real confidence.

You'll train at private sites across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall: coastal hills on the Jurassic Coast for paragliding, fields on the Somerset Levels for paramotoring and the Cornish coast for parakiting.

The support doesn't stop when you qualify. Our sister company Wingtrim services and repairs your kit at our workshop on the Royal Bath & West Showground, you can try demo gliders and harnesses, and you'll join a friendly community of pilots who fly together.

Meet the team

Learn to fly!

BHPA paragliding & paramotor school training across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

Learn more →

E-Learning

Suited to all levels, from complete beginner to advanced pilots.

View courses →

Adventures

Looking to get away? Join the next Sky Riders adventure trip.

Explore →

Glider servicing

Professional Wingtrim services for all your servicing & repack needs.

Book now →

Reviews

What our pilots say

5.0Read all our reviews on Google

Kieran S.

2 months ago

Like a lot of people, I only leave reviews when I feel they’re really necessary, and this is definitely one of those times. I joined Tom at Skyriders after moving away from a previous, troublesome school, and the difference in teaching was far beyond my expectations. It genuinely restored my faith in the sport. Tom is a fantastic instructor who is always engaged and goes the extra mile to make sure you understand things. Sometimes that even meant making a little drawing to explain. The equipment at the school is always top-notch too, with the use of Atom, Moster and Ozone wings. I'm now CP rated and overall, I honestly can’t think of a single thing I would improve. Tom is fantastic, and I’d have no hesitation recommending Skyriders to anyone looking to learn paramotoring.

Sarah M.

3 months ago

Tom has been an amazing instructor. He tailored my training to help me make great progress and build confidence at the same time. I’ve loved the whole process. He has also set me up with all the kit I need now that I’m qualified!

Tom T.

4 months ago

Tom Instructed me through to completion of my CP Paramotoring Course. And I can't think of a single lesson that didn't feel Fantastic, there was never a dull day of training. Tom Is a great coach, and really helps you feel confident in the progress your making. Despite challenges of wind or equipment, every time we were out on site I came back feeling like I'd learnt more than I thought I would. Tom offers plenty of support in all manners of flying, events, equipment, and has great knowledge and connections to Pilots and manufacturers. The whole Skyriders Experience feels highly professional, and yet incredibly accessible. Could not recommend Sky Riders more highly!

James L.

4 months ago

What a fantastic school! Sky Riders have taken me from clueless to flying to qualified paramotor pilot in just a relative handful of lessons. Tom is an excellent teacher - he gave me the confidence to push myself while ensuring I didn't attempt things I wasn't ready for. Perfect mix of teaching. There's no better feeling than that first flight!

Alex

1 year ago

Sky Riders paramotor school is highly recommended. The training experience this year was fantastic, and progression felt safe and comfortable. Tom's instruction was top-notch; he's an expert pilot and a knowledgeable, patient teacher. Beyond the excellent training, a genuinely supportive community has been built where students and CPs (Club Pilots) stick around and continue to learn. It makes the journey more enjoyable and ensures you're part of a great group from day one.

Richard C.

2 years ago

I’ve been a Paraglider for a few years and wanted to convert to a Paramotor for those light wind days. Tom took me on and as part of a small but supportive group we spent a very entertaining week training with Sky Riders from one of their location on the Somerset Levels. Tom makes learning fun. Always with safety at the forefront but education close behind everyone learnt at their own pace. By the end of the week two of us (both experienced paraglides) got our Club Pilot signed off and, as importantly, we got introduced to the Sky Riders community. Tom has built a fabulously supportIve group of like minded flyers who are really pleased to share their experience, good and bad, with each other. Tips on kit to buy, places to fly and pubs to retire to are readily available. Tom and the Sky Riders group really are a five star experience. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Jon T.

2 years ago

I contacted Sky Riders CFI, Tom to help me blow out a few flying cobwebs and to explore options to gain a BHPA Club Pilot rating. Tom was very helpful and quickly outlined a suitable training plan. I received some great instruction and guidance, delivered gently and thoughtfully, with excellent attention to those subtle details which help to improve and grow pilot skills. The training environment felt friendly, supportive, and encouraging without compromising instructional technique. Tom was clear on training objectives, next steps, and the flying/training plan for the coming days. I thoroughly enjoyed flying with Sky Riders and will be back to fly some more.

Dom M.

3 years ago

Having been on many trips with Tom over the years, just to say what a ‘five star’ coach he is. Always patient/safe/calm, he will positively encourage and coach pilots to progress in their flying regardless of level/experience. Anyone under Tom’s tuition, or trip guidance, is in great hands.

DORIAN M.

3 years ago

Tom is a great instructor and with his team you get a calm and patient approach towards your training experience. his years as a paragliding instructor really comes into its own with understanding goals of students and achieving them in a safe but fun way! The equipment is 1st class and you feel your in safe hands with his school

Dave C.

3 years ago

It was such a great experience learning to fly with sky riders. Super friendly instructors who are very passionate about the sport and bringing new people into it in the safest possible manner. They put your mind at ease when your feeling a bit nervous.

Mark B.

3 years ago

I met Tom on a Paramotor course in 2023 where he was one of the instructors. He helped me no end with tips and tricks regarding how to get the best out of my machine and my flying.

William S.

3 years ago

Tom at sky riders is a first rate instructor and one of the best I have learnt from on my flying journey . Calm ,patient and exacting, he created an excellent learning environment and helped build strong foundations of knowledge and skill that have kept me safe in the air . They have a vast intricate knowledge base of airports in the company which shows after a short chat. I go to wing trim for my servicing and repairs ,very quick and accomodating of last minute poor planning ! (Sorry). Sky riders are now my local kit shop in bath and west,heading down there to try a couple of harnesses when I'm back . Prices are very good but I'm hoping this glowing review will assist in the negotiating process 🤣

Fly somewhere new with us

Guided paragliding and paramotor trips to Morocco, Spain, the Alps and beyond, plus trips planned around you. See our adventures.

Morocco

The Alps

Spain

Dune du Pyla

Contact

Ask us anything or book a course

Tell us what you'd like to do and we'll get back to you. Prefer to talk? Call or WhatsApp Tom on 07599 844 678.

Phone: 07599 844 678
WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
Email: fly@sky-riders.co.uk
Training: Sites across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall
Workshop: Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN

Learn to fly with Sky Riders

Where would you like to start?

Taster Day

Elementary Pilot (EP)

Paragliding Club Pilot (Hill)

Parakite Club Pilot

Paramotor Club Pilot

Pilot Rating & Advanced

From beginner to qualified pilot

Taster day

Elementary Pilot

Club Pilot

Pilot rating

Why choose Sky Riders?

Learn to fly!

E-Learning

Adventures

Glider servicing

What our pilots say

Fly somewhere new with us

Ask us anything or book a course