First Time Parasailing? Here’s What You Need to Know
As the parasail industry has expanded its safety regulations, more people are trying to parasail for the first time. As more parasailing companies have gained more experience, they’ve also become experts at working with first-time parasailers.
The first time you parasail, you might be thinking about the myths regarding how much you need to swim (not at all) or that it’ll be like a rollercoaster (it won’t be). You could be going with a friend or two and with an experienced company, you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy the ride up in the sky.
If you’re ready to hit the skies on a parasail adventure, you’ll feel more empowered by doing a little research up front. Here are 5 tips to make sure you walk into your first parasailing experience feeling confident.
1. Know the Equipment
There are a few essential pieces of equipment for parasailing. Knowing the basic tools will help you understand how the system works and keeps you safely in the air.
For safety, you wear a life jacket that keeps you safe if you end in the water. It’s essential that it fits snugly against your body.
You will be sitting in a body harness, which is sort of like a swing seat, and attaches at either end to the passenger tow bar.
The bar, in turn, is attached to the chute, as is the towline that runs to the the boat.
2. Know The Weather
Wind and water are the two main ingredients for a good parasail, so they both need to be ideal for the best trip. Follow the weather before you hope to head out.
Consistent high wind will allow the sail to stay afloat, but it could cause choppy the water, which makes boating unpleasant and less safe. In turn, gusty winds and thunderstorms will also ground the operation.
Clear and bright days are ideal because you and the boat captain will have maximum visibility for sightseeing and for good communication.
3. Know The Limits
There are weight and age limits typical for most companies. In some cases, riders must be 16 or 18 years old to parasail, or accompanied by an adult.
If multiple riders go up, their combined weight should be over 150 pounds with a maximum of about 450. The same would apply to individual parasailers. While there is variance between companies, these are some general rules to keep in mind.
4. Get To Know The Crew
You won’t be able to talk to the people on the boat once you’re in the air, so get to know how the crew likes to communicate. They will typically use hand or arm signals to communicate direction, speed, or when you’d like to come down.
Some companies will provide microphones but know the basic signals in case of malfunction.
5. Get To Know Your Company
Read the reviews offered by previous users of a parasailing trip company. Whether they’re on Yelp or on social media, they’ll give you a clue as to what to expect. While not every review is 100% unbiased, if you see a lot of negative reviews everywhere, you might want to steer clear.
Parasailing Is Fun For All Ages
Whether you’re looking for something to do with teenagers or bonding with your recently retired parents, everyone’s first parasail is exciting. Go up as a team and enjoy the experience together.
If you’re looking for more information on setting up your first parasail trip, contact us for more info.
Wind & Water Sports
1400 Estero blvd
Fort Myers Beach, Fl 33931
(239) 765 -8080