Water Skiing Gone Airborne: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Parasailing
Parasailing enthusiasts will tell you it’s one of the most thrilling water sports around. Even if you’ve never parasailed, it’s not hard to imagine why. Picture yourself flying effortlessly across a blue sky, 300 to 500 feet in the air. Imagine the spectacular view, as the shoreline expands from several hundred feet to several miles.
But you also have to imagine that parasailing accidents, though rare, do occur. According to the Parasail Safety Council, any number of mistakes can cause an accident, from tow line separation to equipment failure to canopy rotation. Fortunately, you can keep your parasailing adventure fun—and safe—by following some simple procedures. Here are three must-do procedures to ensure your flight is safe:
- Choose an Experienced Parasailing Company: making sure your parasailing experience is a safe one is worth the time it takes to do a little research. Check several companies out on the internet. Find out how long each one has been in business, and what their safety record is. Make sure the company you choose is officially licensed by the state and city in which it’s located. Finally, your safest bet is to go with a boat captain who is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Above all, don’t choose a company based on price alone—the few dollars you save by going with an unlicensed company are insignificant compared to the risk of having an accident.
- How’s the Weather? This one seems obvious, but check the local weather report before you leave for the marina. If the forecast includes high winds, fog or rain, or a storm in the offing, schedule your adventure for another day. Even if it looks like clear skies and clear sailing, don’t hesitate to call the parasailing company on the day of your flight. If you’ve done your research and found a reputable company, they’ll care about your safety and want to avoid any potential weather complications.
- Discuss Safety Procedures with the Crew. You need to know what can go wrong during your flight, and what to do in the event of an emergency. Take the time to discuss safety procedures with the crew before you take off. For example, if you feel the canopy begin to rotate, you’ll need to communicate with the crew, who are hundreds of feet below you and won’t hear you. Discuss what hand signals to use so they know what the problem is and can communicate back to you what the appropriate corrective actions are.
In any water sport, whether it’s wakeboarding, water skiing or parasailing, accidents can and do happen. But you can greatly increase the odds that your experience is a safe one by following some simple safety procedures.
To learn more about having an enjoyable—and safe—water sport adventure, contact us today!