Serenity Ballooning - Hot Air Balloon Rides
About Us
Company History
Serenity Ballooning is owned and operated by Bret Christian of Indianola, IA. Bret's passion for hot air ballooning traces back to his childhood when Indianola was the hub of ballooning in the United States, hosting the National Hot Air Balloon Championship. With nearly two decades of experience as a crew member and crew chief, Bret decided to take his love for ballooning to new heights by obtaining his pilot's license in 2000. His journey as a pilot has been marked by remarkable achievements, including a 2nd place finish and rookie of the year title at his first balloon race in Creston, IA in 2003. Since then, Bret has achieved:
- 2 top 15 finishes at the US National Hot Air Balloon Championships
- 2nd Place in the Iowa State Championship
- 2nd Place in the North Central Regional Championship
- 5 top 10 finishes at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- Several top 5 and top 10 finishes at other events.
Bret and his family are deeply passionate about Serenity Ballooning and are committed to sharing their love for hot-air ballooning with you.
History of Hot Air Ballooning
The sport of Hot Air Ballooning traces its roots back to 1783 in France when the Mongolfier brothers, paper makers by trade, were inspired by the lifting properties of smoke and fire. Their experiments with small paper balloons eventually led to the historic flight of a sheep, a chicken, and a goose in a balloon with an attached cage. Following the success of this flight, the first manned hot air balloon flight took place. Modern hot air ballooning gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s.
The Balloonist Prayer
"The winds have welcomed you with softness,
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands,
You have flown so high and so well,
That God has joined you in your laughter,
And set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth."
At Serenity Ballooning, we honor the rich history and tradition of hot air ballooning while offering unforgettable experiences in the skies. Join us for a journey of tranquility and adventure above the beautiful landscapes of Indianola and beyond.
