Facts:
Some of the beaches offer this great ride and something you definitely don’t see every day. Be on the air with the warm winds of Florida on your face and between the toes of your feet while watching the city and the palatial homes that cover the seaside and flying with the herons and the seagulls. The thrill of having to fly out in the sky while being dragged by a boat is something else if not unparalleled in scale. There are many companies that offer the parasailing experience so this is should give you an awesome excitement when in Naples. There are opportunities to do this water sport (which has jet skiing as an alternative and something you should try at least once, by the way) in places like Marco Island and spots like Vanderbilt beach. Parasailing is an awesome and novel ride you don’t want to miss. Just don’t forget to go back down on land and not follow the birds all the way to their nests.
History:
The concept of parasailing was first started by Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne who is, of course, French. There is something about the French and death-defying stunts like the French guy who invented Parkour or whatever Napoleon was thinking when he decided to march his army in to Russia in the middle of dead winter, but we digress. Parasailing is a revolutionary concept, one that would stand the test of time and will eventually be enjoyed by a countless number of people annually. However, this did not begin as a recreational activity. Parasailing was first used as a training method for parachutists so they can practice being in a parachute. This was way more cost-effective than doing it with a plane and it helped the trainees learn what they have to in a way that’s less perilous. In 1976, Brian Gaskin created his own canopy design which he named “Waterbird”. This was a special kind of parachute that would be used specifically for parasailing since this was designed to provide optimal safety in case the parachute hits the water. He then made his own company that sells this type of parachute that’s used for recreational purposes.
Tips:
- In 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board stated that parasailing is still a largely unregulated industry. So, it’s always best to pick a company you trust before engaging in this activity.
- You don’t drop straight into the water when the parasailing round is over, instead you get pulled back to your boat using the rope that’s connected to you.
- Though it will most probably be a very safe ride, there’s a parasailing option for couples too if you’re too scared to do it alone.
- The parachutes used have different colors and designs. Choose the one you like best.
- Parasailing is one of those extreme sports activities that anyone can do without training, so we recommend doing this at least once in your life.
- The pressure of the air up there actually releases the stresses in your body. Parasailing is good for the health.
