Parasailing is such an exciting experience that it is often the highlight of a vacation to popular destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Cancun, and Miami. However, it’s hard for many prospective parasailers to wrap their heads around the logistics of parasailing. This can hold some people back from booking an appointment. So, how does parasailing work?
Parasailing works with a harness and parachute that you are connected to. The harness and parachute is connected to a winch system on the back of the boat that sends you into the air and pulls you back to the boat when you are done. You never touch the water when parasailing unless you request it because the winch system can pull you directly to the back of the boat when you return.
It’s important to pay attention to your tour guide and arrive at your appointment sober for safety purposes. There is no reason to worry, however, as your tour guide does all the work for you. Follow along as we explore how parasailing works and highlight everything that you need to consider before you book your appointment.
What is Parasailing and How Does it Work?
Parasailing is a unique action sport that dates back to 1982. It involves flying in the air via a parachute, harness, and tow rope that is tethered to a boat. Parasailers strap into a harness that is connected to a parachute.
The harness, parachute, or parasailing gondola is connected to the boat via a tow rope and winch system. Winch systems are often hydraulic, but some of them are connected to a boat’s engine. The winch system extends the tow rope as the parachute takes on air and lifts.
You will continue to rise as the wind lifts the parachute until the tow rope reaches its maximum length. From there, you will soar through the air for 8-15 minutes for a standard parasail flight or longer depending on the tour guide and company. Your tour guide will slowly pull the tow line back toward the boat using the winch system until you land on the back of the boat.
Parasail Equipment Explained
Parasailing Boat
Parasailing boats can cost between $45,000 and $90,000, but they can cost well into six figures. The cost varies based on how old the boat is, its size, the motor, and the layout. Parasailing boats are typically medium-sized and often have room on the back deck for 10 passengers.
You can find used parasailing boats for as little as $30,000. However, it’s worthwhile to invest in a newer parasailing boat even if they cost an average of $70,000.
Parasailing Parachutes
Parasailing parachutes cost between $1,300 and $2,900. The cost varies based on the materials and the size of the parachute. Premium parasailing parachutes are typically made of nylon because it is durable. It’s never worthwhile to skimp on a parachute as it is critical to safely parasailing.
The parachute slowly fills with air as your tour guide casts you out. Your parachute will lift as it fills with air and the tow rope line continues to extend.
Parasailing Winch System
The winch system is responsible for casting you out and bringing you back in. This important piece of equipment costs between $2,000 and $3,200 depending on the motor and how old the system is. They may seem expensive, but winch systems feature premium materials such as heavy-duty steel.
Parasail Tow Ropes
Parasail tow ropes cost between $450 and $1,200 depending on the material, thickness, and length.
The cost has as much to do with the length as it does with the total strength. Most parasailing ropes are quite strong, most have a breaking strain of 5000-10000 lbs or more. This Custom Chutes parasailing towline rope has a breaking strain of 6500 lbs and is available in 600, 800, and 1000 feet.
You can read all about Custom Chutes Inc parasailing towlines here on their website.
Read our related post Is There a Weight Limit for Parasailing? here.
Parasail Passenger Bar
The passenger bar is a critical part of a parasailing rig. This bar sits above the passengers and it is connected to the harness and parachute. It is necessary, especially if you have a standard harness rig without a gondola seat.
This simple piece of equipment is easy to forget about as you’re in the air because it rests a few feet above your head. Manufacturers make passenger bars of different sizes for tandem parasailing. Passenger bars are necessary for solo and tandem parasailing, but they are arguably more important for weight distribution when flying tandem.
The Harness
On average, parasailing harnesses cost $200. Parasailing harnesses consist of a back, seat, and clips. The back and seat are typically made of polyester and the clips are made of stainless steel.
Harnesses are among the cheapest pieces of parasailing equipment because of the affordable materials. They are quite simple and typically durable, but it’s important to inspect the harness before each flight. Harnesses are reliable, but it’s important to replace them yearly, especially if you host many passengers throughout the year.
Parasail Gondola
Many parasailers prefer gondolas over harnesses. That is because they are much more comfortable as you essentially sit in a seat with a gondola. Harnesses can irritate your skin in some cases depending on your body type, but that’s not a problem with gondola parasailing.
Parasail gondola seats cost an average of $600, but they can cost closer to $1,000 depending on the capacity. Of course, you will have to pay more for tandem parasailing gondola seats that can fit up to 3 people. However, a single parasail gondola seat can cost as little as $500.
How Do You Get Strapped into a Parasail?
Your parasailing tour guide will strap you into the harness or gondola seat. The harness or gondola is connected to the parachute. First, they will have you put on a life jacket before they strap you in.
This will ensure that you can safely land in the water and float if the tow rope fails or snaps, which is highly unlikely. If you are tandem paragliding, they will also connect your harnesses and tether them to the parachute as well. Now, you simply wait until the boat gets far enough for you to take off.
How Do You Get into the Air Parasailing?
Once you are connected to the harness and parachute, your guide will cast you out using the winch system. A powerful, motorized winch system will slowly roll out the tow rope as the parachute inflates. It takes a moment for you to rise as the tow rope extends to its maximum length.
The wind will ultimately determine how quickly your parachute will lift while parasailing. Passengers don’t have to do any work when taking off while parasailing. Parasail tour guides host countless flights throughout the year, so you will likely get into the air with no problem. Each parasailing tour hosts up to 10 passengers and many of them fly, so it’s a foolproof system in most cases.
How Do You Land Parasailing?
Much like taking off, it requires no effort to land when parasailing. The parasailing operator slowly pulls you back towards the boat via the winch system. You won’t ever touch the water as you land.
If all goes well, you will land on the back of the boat in the same spot that you depart from. Once you touch down on the back of the boat, the tour guide will help you get out of the harness. Some parasailing tour guides will dip you in the water before you return to the back of the boat, but only if you request it.
What to Know as a First-Timer Parasailer
You will enjoy your first parasailing experience the most if you know what to expect. Let’s look at what you need to consider as a first-timer parasailer.
Weight Limits & Requirements
The minimum weight requirement for parasailing is typically 90 pounds. However, some parasailing companies let you go parasailing if you weigh as little as 65 pounds. The maximum combined parasailing weight is typically 450-500 pounds, but it varies based on the rig and parachute. Solo parasailing the weight limit is usually set at 300 lbs.
Read our related post on Parasailing Weight Limits here.
Age Restrictions
Make sure to find out your parasailing tour’s age policy before you book the trip. Each parasailing tour company has a different policy, but most operators have a minimum age of 6 years old. However, they are unlikely to be allowed to go parasailing without a tandem partner.
That is because a 6-year-old child is unlikely to meet the typical 90-160-pound minimum weight requirement. Children under the age of 18 are unable to go parasailing unless their legal guardian signs a waiver.
Book in Advance to Save Money
Much like a hotel or flight, you can save money if you book your parasailing tour ahead of time. Many parasailing tour companies offer a 10%-20% discount if you book your trip in advance. You can save even more money if you book in advance for a large group as many companies offer discounted group rates.
Look at the Weather Before You Book
Check the weather forecast before you book your parasailing tour. You can’t parasail in strong winds, rain, or thunderstorms, and your appointment will be canceled. While the tour should refund you for the day, it’s much better to plan and pick a day to parasail when the weather is moderate.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
It’s important to wear appropriate clothing when parasailing. Try to wear a comfortable, lightweight top and swimming trunks if possible. This won’t restrict your harness and will let you enjoy a day on the beach after your parasailing tour.
Wear comfortable, tight shoes, and avoid wearing flip-flops because they can easily fall while you are in the air.
Show Up Sober
It may be tempting for some tourists to have a cocktail or two before parasailing, but that’s a bad idea. Ideally, you should show up sober so that you can follow and understand your tour guide’s instructions. This will reduce the risk of mistakes and injuries. Reputable parasailing tour guides will turn you away if you show up inebriated.
Not only should you avoid alcohol, but you should also avoid heavy meals. While a heavy meal won’t impair your judgment like alcohol, it can impair your movement and comfort. The harness will be much less comfortable if you just ate a big meal before your flight. Alcohol and fatty foods also increase the chance that you will get nauseous while parasailing.
Is Parasailing a Dangerous Activity?
Parasailing is quite safe when compared to other extreme sports. As of 2023, there have been over 140 million parasailing flights throughout the world. While there have been 1,365 parasailing injuries over time, there have only been nearly 80 deaths in the sport’s history.
Considering that parasailing has been common since 1982, it’s surprising that there haven’t been more serious injuries or deaths. This is primarily because of how simple parasailing is. You are connected to a harness and parachute system and are tethered to a boat the whole time. Unless the wind takes over or the tow rope snaps, you are unlikely to experience an accident.
Final Thoughts
Parasailing works via a winch system that is connected to a harness, passenger bar, and parachute. You have to put on a life jacket before your tour guide helps you strap into the harness. From there, they will connect your harness to the passenger bar which is tethered to the parachute.
Once you’re ready, your tour guide will cast you out via a winch system as the air helps lift your parachute. You will fly for 8-15 minutes or longer before they retract the tow rope with the hydraulic winch system. It takes a few minutes to descend, and you will land on the back of the boat when you are done.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focuses on extreme sports. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, and skateboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about extreme sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.