That's awesome. Congrats to him. You will always remember "your first" of all the things we do in life.
Here's another alternative when the wind isn't blowing horizontal but blowing vertical. I spent 5 yrs flying out of Wallaby Ranch in Davenport FL. Some flights over 2 hours long with the thermals.
Exit 55 off of I-4. Great school, dealer, club, lesson etc...
http://www.wallaby.com/
Flying my Wills Wing Falcon 195. 2005.