There are many water sports that you can enjoy when you are out on a boat ride or near the sea. However, if you want to witness both; the air and the sea at the same time, then parasailing might be something that you would be really into. This recreational activity may seem like a dangerous one. In fact, it is extremely fun and can get your adrenaline rushing.
Parasailing involves a person being towed while attached to a parachute. The person is usually attached to a boat that sails across a body of water. When you are up in the air, you can see for miles and enjoy the breeze while also knowing that there is water beneath you. It is an extremely fun activity that can be enjoyed when this facility is offered near the coast.
What is parasailing
Parasailing is essentially a recreational activity that involves being attached to a specially designed canopy-like wing. This wing resembles a parachute. However, the shape is slightly different. It is known as a parasail wing. You are also attached to a moving vehicle as you are being towed behind the vehicle. There is a harness that connects you to both; the parachute and the vehicle. Thus, it helps you remain safe when you are up in the air.
As the vehicle drives, the parachute attached to you gets picked up by the wind. Then, you slowly ascend. Usually, the boats that you are attached to are strong enough to handle two or three people at once. However, you usually have no control over the parachute and are at the mercy of the wind and the boat.
Parasailing is an exhilarating activity that usually becomes a memorable part of most people’s trips. Many people describe feeling extremely free when they parasail, which is another reason why people enjoy this activity so much.
Facts about parasailing
Now that we know what a parasailing adventure entails, let us look at some facts about parasailing that are just as fascinating as the sport itself.
Parasailing was an accident
Parasailing was discovered completely by accident by Pierre Lamogine. He was the very first person to attach a parachute to the rear of a moving vehicle. In the past, people used this activity to train people on parachute safety as well as how to land correctly and safely using a parachute. The people who were being trained were often strapped to a car as that was considered more economical as compared to using a plane. Furthermore, the chances of an accident happening were also considerably less. From there, the sport moved to the sea, where people were attached to boats, and the boats would whiz around and carry people behind with them.
There are many different forms of parasailing
There are many different kinds of parasailing, as one can do it either on a boat or on a vehicle. You can choose to be lifted off the ground using either the power of the boat or a normal land vehicle. However, over the years, doing so on a boat has become quite popular due to the fact that it is much safer. Additionally, the liftoff is much easier when you are on a boat since the wind is naturally high in those areas. When you do parasailing using a boat, you are strapped to the boat using a cable and a hydraulic winch. The winch has the ability to control you from a distance. Therefore, you are not completely at the mercy of the wind when you are up in the air.
It has many different names
Parasailing has many different titles such as parakiting, parascending, and more. The name parakiting is derived from the name kite since the activity is eerily similar to how a kite is flown. The only difference is that there is a human attached to the kite. Parascending simply refers to the ascension made when the boat starts to pick up speed, and the wind slowly starts to raise you up.
This activity is dependent on the weather
According to the mechanics of the activity, you can parasail in just about any weather. However, goof weather conditions make the experience even more enriching and fulfilling. Therefore, alongside a nice boat and a reliable canopy, you should also ensure that the winds are around 12 to 27 miles an hour. This wind speed is ideal if you want to parasail. Stronger winds are unreliable. When the winds are strong, this otherwise fun activity can become dangerous real fast. If the boat is unable to control you when you are up in the air, it cannot ensure your safety. Thus, most companies refuse to operate their parasailing facilities when the weather is unsafe.
Parasailing is not a sport
This parachute water sport is technically not a sport. It is simply a leisure activity that you can enjoy when boating in the water. Sports, in general, require dexterity, skill, and practice. Parasailing does not require any of these. In fact, anyone can parasail because there are not many physical requirements for the activity. When you are up in the air, you can completely relax and let the wind do its job.
Parasailing tips
Parasailing is an extremely fun activity that you can enjoy without needing experience. Therefore you can simply go up to a company offering the facility and ask to parasail. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of to make your experience even more fun, as when you have nothing to worry about, you focus solely on the experience. Here are a few things you should do to enjoy your parasailing adventure to the fullest.
Familiarise yourself with the equipment
Parasailing requires you to have a few essential pieces of equipment with you to help ensure your safety. Before you allow yourself to be pulled up by the air, make sure that you understand all the tools nad how the system works. If you are aware of how everything works, you will be able to foresee anything going wrong. The most important equipment that you will have on you includes a life jacket. This piece of equipment keeps you safe in case you fall into the water. When checking the lifejacket, make sure it fits snugly against your body. The second piece of equipment is the body harness that attaches you to the passenger tow bar and the parachute. The third piece of equipment is the chute. The tow bar and the towline are attached to the chute that runs to the boat.
Knowing the weather conditions
Water and wind are the most important two conditions that are required for a successful parasailing experience. Therefore, before you embark on your adventure, make sure that the weather conditions are ideal so that you have fun and are not in harm’s way as well. You need a consistent high win to be able to stay afloat. However, if the wind is too strong, the parachute may not be able to handle it. Therefore, you may be at risk. Additionally, choppy waters can also make the whole experience highly unpleasant and unsafe. Therefore, try to choose a day that is bright and clear. That way you will be able to communicate better, have maximum visibility, and be able to sightsee a lot better.
Know the crew
When you are up in the air, you should know the signals to get the crew’s attention and let them know what you want to do. Therefore, before you go up in the air, get to know how the crew communicates so that you can let them know the direction you want to go in or the speed, or when you want to come down. These are extremely important for your safety when you are up in the air. Some companies may offer microphones, but it is still better to know the basic signals in case of any emergencies.
Parasailing is for all ages
There is no age limit for parasailing as you do not need to exert any physical strength when you are in the air. The boat and the parachute do it all for you. Therefore, you simply need to stay put where you are and let the wind and the motors of the boat do the work. Because of no physical demands, you can be of any age and enjoy parasailing. It can be a fun activity that you can enjoy with your parents, your children, your partner or your friends. You can also do it alone if you want to, or do it in a team and experience the pretty sights together.
Conclusion
Parasailing is a parachute water sport that is enjoyed best on a clear sunny day when you can simply let go of your worries and enjoy the air in your face and the gorgeous sights beneath you. Paragliding requires you to be attached to a harness that connects you to a parachute on one end and a towboat on the other. Therefore, the power of the wind and the boat allows you to ascend and enjoy the scene from far above the ground.
Paragliding is an exhilarating sport. However, there are a few precautions that you should take so that your experience goes by smoothly and you have a lot of fun. The article above details all things you should be careful of, and it also has some additional fun facts that you may enjoy.