If you ever go on vacation to a beach destination, you might encounter parasailing. On the other hand, if you haven’t heard of parasailing, maybe you’ve seen it in action.
Parasailing involves being towed behind a boat while wearing an open parachute. This creates lift and elevates you in the air.
It can be quite a fun experience, yet people also say it is pretty relaxing. Yet people wonder, is parasailing worth it? Most people would agree that parasailing is worth it, which is true for more than one reason.
This article takes an in-depth look at parasailing to show what you can expect. However, the main point is to discuss why parasailing might be worth it for you.
What to Expect When Parasailing – The Basics
If you aren’t overly familiar with parasailing, let’s go over some of the basics. Parasailing involves wearing a secure harness attached to an open parachute.
You are then attached to the end of the boat using a secure tow line. This tow line is attached to a winch.
You will start by standing on the rear of the boat. The parasailing captain will then accelerate the boat between 15 and 30 miles per hour.
At this point, your parachute will catch the air, and lift is created. You will then slowly go airborne, and when you do, the captain will gradually let out the tow line. This tow-line will let out until you reach s around 500 feet in height or less.
At this point, you’re floating in the air and enjoying the view. Depending on the company you go parasailing with, you might get to enjoy a ride anywhere from two to ten minutes.
Reasons to Go Parasailing – It’s Certainly Worth it!
As you are about to find out, there are many reasons why parasailing is worth it. In fact, we were able to come up with eleven different reasons why you might want to try parasailing. So let’s take a closer look.
1. Parasailing is Exceptionally Safe
One concern that many people have is that parasailing could be unsafe. On the contrary, parasailing is considered one of the safest airborne activities. In the last 30 years, there have been only 70 fatalities related to parasailing. That is an astronomically low number, all things considered.
Moreover, to put this into perspective, nearly 850 deaths are annually attributed to cycling. But, of course, the number of deaths related to car accidents is even higher.
In other words, parasailing is safer than biking and driving a car. Therefore, the risks are minimal in terms of safety concerns when parasailing.
2. Parasailing Takes No Special Skill
Something else many people worry about is that they don’t have the necessary skill for parasailing. The fact of the matter is that parasailing takes no special skills. You don’t have to go through an educational course or learning process.
Yes, your parasailing captain will provide safety tips before you go up. However, there is not much you need to know other than that. Going parasailing isn’t like training to be an astronaut. This is something virtually anybody and everybody can do, no matter your skill level.
3. Parasailing Doesn’t Require Athleticism
Yet another concern that many people have about parasailing is athleticism. Many people assume that it takes athletic conditioning to go parasailing.
This is true both in terms of strength and endurance. However, just like you don’t require any particular skill for parasailing, you also don’t require any athleticism.
You can be pretty out of shape and still do perfectly fine when parasailing. After all, it’s the boat, the wind, and physics doing all of the work for you.
4. You Can Feel Like a Soaring Bird
One of the biggest reasons people love parasailing is that it makes them feel like a bird.
The closest we can get to flying like a bird is parasailing, paragliding, or other such activity. If you want to experience what it feels like to be a sizeable predatory bird soaring in the sky, then parasailing is worth trying out.
5. Parasailing Can be Extremely Relaxing
Many people note that the experience can be highly relaxing. Sure, you travel at great heights and with a decent amount of speed; however, it all feels quite relaxed.
It’s nothing like paragliding or even riding a rollercoaster. However, most people say that the experience of casually floating above the beach is highly relaxing. It’s just a really cool experience in general.
6. Parasailing Can Also Be Exhilarating
While some people find parasailing relaxing, this can go in the other direction. After all, you reach heights of up to 500 feet. Moreover, you might be traveling at up to 30 mph.
For some people, this can be quite a heart-pounding experience. People who aren’t used to being high up in the sky or traveling fast may find this experience exhilarating.
Suppose you are a beginner adrenaline junkie just getting into the world of action sports. In that case, parasailing is an excellent way to introduce yourself to slightly riskier sports without any unnecessary risk of injury.
7. Parasailing May Help You Combat a Fear of Heights
Parasailing involves great heights. For those with a fear of heights, this could be problematic.
That being said, parasailing can also be a great way to combat your fear of heights. As mentioned above, parasailing is very safe – there’s nothing to be worried about when parasailing.
Gradual exposure to increased heights is a great way to combat a fear of heights. Parasailing could be the vehicle to overcome your acrophobia.
8. Parasailing Lets You Get a Bird’s Eye View
Yet another reason parasailing is worth it is because of the view you get. Your beach destination already looks nice enough, but there’s no comparing the view from your beach chair to the view from 500 feet in the air. Parasailing will allow you to see things you would never have been able to see.
9. Parasailing is a Great Bonding Experience
Parasailing is usually not a solo experience because two or even three people can go up simultaneously. However, if you are vacationing with your significant other, this can be quite a romantic experience.
It can even be a great bonding experience for you to have with your friends and family. Moreover, going up with somebody else can also help relax you, especially if you are afraid of heights.
10. Parasailing Can Help You Meet New People
Parasailing can also be a great way to meet new people. Trips usually involve anywhere from 8 to 15 people. Sitting on a boat with other people for a few hours provides an opportunity to make new friends.
This is especially the case if two or more people go up simultaneously; you’ll have no choice but to talk with them. It can also be an excellent way to start getting over social anxiety.
11. Parasailing Isn’t Actually All That Expensive
Generally speaking, you can expect to spend about $100. So, all things considered, this is actually quite affordable.
Is Parasailing Worth it? – Final Thoughts
There are many reasons parasailing is worth it. At the very least, you’ll get to soar like a bird and get a great view of the water and ground below.