Anyone flown or ridden in a glider? (how much, check, Florida)

[BlueSkyHoliday]

I was talking to someone yesterday about how much I enjoyed the hot-air baloon ride I went on several years ago while we were in Florida on vacation. This person (who turned out to be a pilot) suggested that if I liked the balloon I would probably love taking a ride in a glider plane. So now I am very curious.

I should have asked this person more about it but didn't think to do so at the time.

Has anyone here either flown or riddden in a glider?

Do you need to wear special equipment -- helmet and/or parachute?

I found many descriptions of the planes online and am wondering what landing is like, because the only landing gear is a single wheel under the tail of the plane. If there are no wheels on the front, how does a glider land without damaging its front (and the pilot and passenger in the cockpit)??

Is it possible to 'crash' in a glider? Or does it act like a feather and always land 'lightly'?

I haven't been able to find any actual descriptions of glider rides or even safety concerns online, so would love to hear from anyone who has actually done this!

[mal_flisk]

I rode in a glider on the North Shore in Hawaii on an R&R from Midway Island once. It was definitely a rush. Yes, you can crash if you catch a downdraft, or if you actually push the performance envelope of the glider.

[BlueSkyHoliday]

I rode in a glider on the North Shore in Hawaii on an R&R from Midway Island once

Did you need to wear a helmet, or a parachute? And how rough was the landing?

[mal_flisk]

No helmet or parachute (was back in the 70's) and the landing was smooth.

[Arcticthaw]

I rode in one in my teens and it was a thrill also. All you hear is the wind flowing by the cockpit. No extra safety equipment is really required as they sail on the air much better than a powered airplane. Landing was smooth also. Check with the local flight services at airports near you. Also see if there are flying clubs around that may offer rides.