Brent, go to United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and click on the "Learn to Fly" link. There are options for "Instructors" and options for "Schools/Dealers." You don't say where in South Carolina you are located, so I don't know which direction to tell you to look. There is paragliding going on in the Atlanta area, and also at Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga area. There are no paragliding instructors or schools/dealers listed for South Carolina. There is one hang gliding instructor in the Charleston area. There are quite a few instructors in North Carolina, scattered around the state. I am rated in single and multi engine airplanes, as well as hot air balloons, but I have been flying hang gliders and paragliders the past 10 years, and enjoy both types of Part 103 gliders. I also have 1200 sport parachute jumps, so I am no stranger to air sports. Most hang gliding and paragliding instructors have various instruction packages to get you started. Don't try to buy equipment before you start flying, and definitely don't buy something off ebay. Most of the stuff on ebay is outdated. The newer equipment is so much improved over equipment that is 15 years or more old, that it makes the older gear comparatively unsafe, compared to what is available now.
The United States Ultralight Association is another place to look, if you are interested in paramotors. However, they do not show any chapters or instructors in South Carolina either. The USUA is involved with Part 103 aircraft, including ultralight airplanes, weight shift aircraft (trikes), and powered parachutes as well as paramotors.
Good luck with your searches.