Parasailing is a blast! Getting pulled up by the wind while attached to the back of the boat is an exciting feeling; it’s one part adrenaline and one part Zen. Your heart beats fast as you’re going up, but once you are up, it’s calming. Everyone should experience this at some point in life, but you need to meet the age requirements.
Individual parasailing tour companies set their own age restrictions, some tour companies you must be at least eight years old to parasail, while others require you to be at least 14 years old. However, most will let you parasail in tandem if you weigh more than 35 pounds. There is no maximum age limit for parasailing.
Getting your family ready for a parasailing adventure can be confusing. I get it! Below, I will break it down for you more so you can better understand the age limits regarding parasailing.
Does Age Matter When It Comes to Parasailing?
This question has been at the center of heated debates regarding the topic of children parasailing. Whether the age factor matters when it comes to parasailing depends on the company you book with and your personal view.
Some argue that age doesn’t matter nearly as much as weight. These companies require children to be 35 pounds or more, and an adult to accompany them.
On the other hand, some people argue that no child should parasail before the age of 8 so that they can fully consent to the experience.
Lastly, others believe that children should not parasail before age 14. This is primarily based on safety factors. Whoever is parasailing should have the communication skills necessary to follow instructions in an emergency.
Sometimes, these are given as physical signals in which the person on the parasail would need to interpret and act accordingly.
Can My Child Still Parasail Safely Under the Age Of 14?
Even if your child is under 14, most companies will fly them if they are over 35 pounds, and you sign the waiver.
All children under 18 require an adult 18 years or older to fly with them. However, some companies outside of the USA require the older individual to be at least 13 years of age. Regardless of the requirements, your child will fly with someone who understands the emergency signals.
How Safe Is Parasailing?
Parasailing is safer than skydiving, and skydiving only has a fatality rate of 0.28 per 100,000 jumps. From 2009 to 2013, there were 34 skydiving deaths and eight fatal parasailing accidents.
Every fatality is horrible, and I’m not trying to minimize that fact, but parasailing fatal accidents are even rarer than skydiving accidents, and are usually due to human error or weather. (Which is why companies will cancel your sail in the event of bad weather.)
Does Weight Matter When Parasailing?
Weight does matter when parasailing which is why there is a minimum and a maximum weight. To parasail alone, someone should be 90 pounds or more. This is because the higher you go, the windier it is, which means anyone under this weight would get tossed around.
If someone weighs between 35 and 90 pounds, they will have to parasail with one or two other people so that the wind won’t whisk anyone away.
Are Parasailing Age and Weight Limits Set by Individual Parasailing Tour Companies?
Parasailing age and weight limits all depend on the tour company. This is partly because, on a lake, you most likely won’t catch as much wind if you are inland as if you are parasailing on the coast.
So, each tour company will set their restrictions due to the environment, and due to their equipment. For example, some use harnesses strictly, while others use gondolas.
Does a Parent Need to Accompany their Child Parasailing?
If a parent has a child that wants to parasail, they need to sign a waiver for permission, but they do not need to go for a ride on the actual parasail. Their child will be parasailing with another adult for safety.
The parent will need to ride on the boat if their child is under 13 as they will still require supervision while on the water. If the parent is not comfortable with this, they will need to have another adult over 18 accompany their child.
Can Children Under the Age or Weight Limit Still Ride in the Boat?
If a child is under that tour company’s age or weight limit, they can still ride on the boat. Many companies offer passenger seats to those who are not parasailing. Depending on the company, you may be asked to pay a fee.
Read Related: Is Parasailing Safe for Non-Swimmers?
Is there a Children’s Discount for Parasailing?
For whichever tour company you are booking with, there might be discounts for kids to parasail. However, more often than not, the cost for a child will be the same for an adult.
Can a Senior Go Parasailing?
Parasailing is a safe activity, even for the elderly. However, anyone with a pre-existing heart problem may want to ask their doctor first beforehand.
Something else to watch out for is anyone with hip or back issues. This can lead to a highly uncomfortable ride because how you are strapped into the harness puts a lot of pressure on these areas of the body. The heavier you are, the more you will feel it.
Lastly, anyone with visual impairment would need to let the company know and might not be able to ride alone. This is because, for emergencies and parasailing in general, you will need to be able to see when anyone signals to you. You can still go; it simply means you must go in tandem.
Remember that these conditions and guidelines go for anyone; it’s not just older people who get diagnosed with diseases and conditions. So, be smart and seek guidance if need be.
Final Thoughts
Age and weight are the primary factors in deciding who can parasail; however, weight tends to matter more than age.
Anyone under 14 will require a tandem ride if they are 35 pounds or above. Other than that, there is an age cap as long as the individual is cleared by their doctor!
All in all, parasailing is a fun and safe activity. Just make sure that when you go, it is with a legitimate company that has a good track record!
When Heather is not participating in extreme sports you can find her working the events across the country, or writing about these amazing adrenaline rushes. She loves to go skydiving, snowboarding, parasailing, hang gliding, dirt boarding, off-roading and hiking.
