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National Ride The Wind Day takes flight every August 23, commemorating the incredible achievement of human-powered flight. This day celebrates the blend of adventure and peace found in soaring through the air. Embrace the spirit of innovation, learn about aviation history, and find ways to experience the thrill of the wind.
Want to sponsor National Ride The Wind Day? Learn how
Expected National Ride The Wind Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that National Ride The Wind Day inspires deals from outdoor adventure companies and flight experience providers. Look for discounts on paragliding lessons from schools like Torrey Pines Gliderport, or special rates on hot air balloon rides from operators such as Balloon Fiesta. Retailers like REI and Patagonia may offer sales on wind-resistant gear and outdoor apparel. Aviation museums, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, might feature special exhibits or online content. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 23 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Ride The Wind Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #RideTheWindDay. Share stunning photos or reels of your wind-powered adventures, from kitesurfing to paragliding.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #RideTheWindDay. Film short, dynamic videos showcasing the thrill of human-powered flight or wind sports.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #RideTheWindDay. Share fascinating facts about aviation history, famous flights, or your favorite wind-powered activities.
National Ride The Wind Day Hero
Paul MacCready
History of National Ride The Wind Day
For a long time, the only species that could experience the weightless and peaceful feeling of flying or gliding were aerial animals. That was until humans started to crave that same feeling. Thus, introducing us to the concept of flight and Human Powered-Aircraft (H.P.A.s). These are aircraft belonging to the class of vehicles known as human-powered vehicles. Early attempts at human-powered flight were unsuccessful because of the difficulty of achieving the high power-to-weight ratio.
In 1904, the invention of a bicycle plane was documented, however, attempts made to fly this plane on July 30 of the same year failed. From that date until 1961, there were several attempts at human-powered flights that never quite made full flight rounds. Some of these aircraft were, Gerhardt Cycleplane, Zaschka Human-Power Aircraft, HV-1 Mufli, and Pedaliante.
The first official take-off and landing of a man-powered aircraft were made on November 9, 1961, by Southampton University’s Man Powered Aircraft (SUMPAC) at Lasham Airfield. After the Puffin 2 flight on August 27, 1965, less successful aircraft flew, until 1972 when the Woodford Essex Aircraft Group’s Jupiter flew about 0,8 miles in June.
The Royal Aeronautical Society’s ‘Man Powered Aircraft Group’ was formed in 1959 by the members of the Man Powered Group of the College of Aeronautics. Its title was changed from ‘Man’ to ‘Human’ in 1988 because of the many successful flights made by female pilots. Under the auspices of the Society, in 1973 the industrialist Henry Kremer offered the Kremer Prize of £50,000 for the first human-powered aircraft to fly a figure-of-eight course around two markers half a mile apart. On August 23, 1977, the Gossamer Condor 2 won the prize. National Ride The Wind Day was set in place to celebrate that.
National Ride The Wind Day timeline
The first officially authenticated take-off and landing of a man-powered aircraft are made by Southampton University's Man Powered Aircraft (SUMPAC).
The Royal Aeronautical Society's ‘Man Powered Aircraft Group’ is formed.
The Gossamer Condor 2 flies the first figure-eight and wins the first Kremer prize.
Its title is changed from ‘Man’ to ‘Human’ because of the many successful flights made by female pilots.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Ride The Wind Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Ride The Wind Day by embracing the spirit of flight and adventure. Outdoor gear shops could host a ‘build-your-own-kite’ workshop or offer discounts on wind-related sports equipment. Travel agencies might promote destinations known for paragliding or hot air ballooning. Even cafes could offer ‘wind-down’ specials, creating a relaxed atmosphere for customers to reflect on the day’s theme. Consider partnering with a local flight school for a unique cross-promotion.
National Ride The Wind Day FAQs
When is National Ride The Wind Day?
National Ride The Wind Day 2026 falls on Sunday, August 23. It’s the perfect weekend opportunity to get outside and experience the power of the wind.
What is human-powered flight?
Human-powered flight refers to the act of flying an aircraft using only the muscle power of a human pilot. This challenging endeavor typically involves lightweight gliders or propeller-driven aircraft, requiring immense physical exertion and aerodynamic efficiency.
What is the Kremer Prize?
The Kremer Prize is a series of aviation awards established in 1959 by Henry Kremer for pioneering achievements in human-powered flight. The most famous prize, won in 1977 by Paul MacCready’s Gossamer Condor, was for completing a figure-eight course.
What kinds of activities involve riding the wind?
Many exhilarating activities allow you to ‘ride the wind,’ including paragliding, hang gliding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and even simply flying a kite. These sports harness wind currents for propulsion or lift, offering unique aerial or water-based experiences.
National Ride The Wind Day Activities
Take flight
Today serves as the perfect day to finally take those flight lessons you’ve been postponing. Not down for that much adventure? You could just book a short trip as a passenger of a glider and enjoy all the beautiful sights.
Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
You can see exactly what the Kramer-winning aircraft looks like. This wonderful piece of preserved history is an amazing sight. There are also lots of other exhibitions you can find at the Smithsonian, and they have great online exhibits as well.
Do anything that gets the wind in your hair
Take your bike out, head to the amusement park, go skateboarding, run like the wind or go water skiing. Whatever it is, do it to get the wind flowing and your heart pumping.
5 Facts About Flying That May Surprise You
It changes your taste buds
According to the folks at JetBlue, the difference in air pressure and the low humidity in a plane's cabin make it more difficult for your taste buds to register sweet and salty flavors.
Oxygen is limited
In-flight oxygen masks aren't intended to last the whole flight.
Air pollution harms more than crashes
According to a study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, airplane emissions are linked to 8,000 deaths each year, while the number of people killed in plane crashes is less than 1,000.
Laser tag is not an option
According to 18 U.S. Code Section 39A, if you point a laser pointer at a plane or its flight path, you can enjoy up to five years in prison for thinking about what you've done.
It is the safest way to get around
In 2017, there were zero deaths related to commercial aircraft accidents. By comparison, during the same year, 40,100 people died in car accidents in the United States alone.
Why We Love National Ride The Wind Day
Flying is fun
There’s no denying that flying is one of the most euphoric feelings to have. We envy the birds every day for effortlessly having that advantage, and human-powered aircraft gave us the opportunity to experience that feeling.
It lets us know the impossible can be made possible
Flying was an activity that was once considered impossible by humans. National Ride The Wind Day goes a step further in letting us know we can reach even the greatest heights within those impossibilities, with the celebration of one of the most impossible aviation tasks at the time.
It pushes us out of our comfort zone
The act of flying is one a lot of people have a distinct fear of or major anxieties over. Having an opportunity to break out of that fear and taking flight pushes us out of our comfort zone.
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