Parasailing questions

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Calling all Parasailers! Where have you all done the parasailing.
I want to do it on either St. Tom's or St. Marts. just incase we can't dock at CC.
St. Toms has one that I got info for, from the Coral World site. It uses the "Reel them off then back onto a platform on the boat" method, and is $100 for a pair going tandem. We'll be taking our 45 and 55 pound kids that way. But there are so many other good things to do on St. Toms!
I'd like to hear about the offerings on Martins' method, price availability, as well as other people's "flight reports" from as many different places to parasail on the 7 day Eastern that there are. Can anyone make comparisons?
Thanks so much for your help!

[jiminyC_fan]

I would love the same info, also. Thanks!

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

For anyone interested, this is what I have from a St. Thomas company. Can anyone tell me if there is a similar service on St. Martins? Ginger once mentioned one, but I didn't catch if it used the same system.

FROM:
parasail@viaccess.net (Caribbean WaterSports & Tours)
Caribbean WaterSports & Tours
----- Original Message -----

Parasail Information

How much does it cost ? It is $55 per person to Parasail
(an eagle) and $10 for an observer or someone who wants to come on board to watch and take pictures (a chicken). If the observer changes their mind while on board and decides to become an eagle the $10 comes off the price of the ride.

Are there any age or weight requirements ? There are no age requirements, but their are weight requirements. Guests need to weigh around 70 pounds to go by themselves depending on the strength of the wind. The stronger the wind the more weight that is needed in the parasail. If someone does not weigh enough to go by themselves they can usually go up with someone. The price for two people going together is $100 if one of the two guests does not weigh enough to go by themselves. The price for two guests going up together and they meet the weight requirements is $110.

How long does it take ? Each person is in the air around 10 minutes. You are on the boat anywhere from a half hour to an hour depending on the number of people that are participating.

How high do you go ? We use a 600’ towline so you will get anywhere from 350’ to 400’ off the surface of the water.

How many people can go at one time? Our boats can carry a maximum of 6 people per trip. We have three boats available so we are capable of taking up to 18 people per hour for larger groups.

Do you have to get wet ? We utilize a system of Parasailing called controlled parasailing. This system utilizes a hydraulic wench and a platform (flight deck) that is built onto the back of the parasail boat. Guests are gently lifted from the flight deck on the back of the boat and land right back on board the boat. It is the safest most modern method of Parasailing available. You do not have to get wet if you do not want to, but a fun part of the ride is towards the end when the captain can slow the boat down and touch your toes in the water.

Were can we be picked up ? We pick up at most major waterfront resorts on St. Thomas and St. John. Here is a list:
St. Thomas: Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, Downtown Waterfront, Cruise Ship Dock, Bolongo Beach Resort, Secret Harbor Resort, Elysian Beach Resort, Ritz Carlton, American Yacht Harbor, Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina, Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club and Resort, Marriott’s Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, Point Pleasant Resort and Coral World’s Marine Park
On St. John: Westin Resort, Caneel Bay Resort, Cruz Bay at the main ferry dock

What do we need to bring? It is good to wear a swimsuit if you choose to get a little wet. Also a towel, your boarding pass if you received one, money for souvenirs and don’t forget to wear sunscreen.

How do we make reservations ? You can make a reservation with a credit card number by either emailing the information to us or by calling us at 340.775.9360. With a credit card number we can set up a time and place to meet you.

What is the cancellation policy? We have a 24 hour cancellation policy for a full refund. Reservations canceled less then 24 hours are charged 100% of the fee.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Really?!?!? No one has knowledge of parasailing??? Ok, this will be my last bump. (maybe I should have showered before typing the thread??):rolleyes:

[din]

dreamsdocometrue: I did not respond earlier becaused you asked about St. Mart ot St Thomas.

We did it at Castaway Cay. It was $70 per person. It was a great view and my DS and I had a great time and view. What a view of the ocean, boat, and Castaway Cay. We even saw schools of fish on the water from up there. We fopund out latter that it JACKFISH from the driver of the boat. It was the "take off and land on the boat". On the boat there were a family of six, a couple and as mentioned DS and I. All parasailers went in pairs.

Hope that helps answer sokme of your questions.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Originally posted by din
We even saw schools of fish on the water from up there
That's SO cool! Thanks for the flight report!! :Pinkbounc
I'd bet that Castaway Cay is probably the best place to do it. I'm just nervous that if we can't dock there in October, than I'll have missed out on the excursion I'm most excited about. Maybe I'll let the weather report that week, help me decide on waiting for CC or not.

[din]

Your Welcome DreamsDoComeTrue.

Have fun planning and October will roll by sooner than you may think!!! :) :)

[jiminyC_fan]

Lori, I think Ted will do it at Castaway Cay. I know that I will be hastled to go with him for the fact that din said you go in pairs. I really don't want to go. My size 16 body in the air for all to see is just not appealing. Are you going? Din, can an observer go and take pictures?

[din]

I am not sure if you can be on the boat as an observer. We saw on the other boat that they had single riders for parasailing. DW could not take any pictures from the shore at all. We were too far away to be seen. Sorry that is all that I have. Anyone else went as an observer???:confused:

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

If it's like the one I mentioned above, maybe they allow observers for $10 bucks or so.

[jiminyC_fan]

I was thinking the same thing.

[aprilgail2]

I haven't done it at Castaway Cay but I have at other places and observers were never allowed unless they paid full price....but I brought 2 cameras and one I left on the boat and the mate took pics of us up there for us and the other camera I took up with me and took pics

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Now THAT's a good thought! Having someone else on the boat take the pics for you. They might even like you to return the favor. You could start up a chat on the subject before loading the boat, so the other will go ahead and bring their camera, etc. (My mind just starts rolling with scenario visualizations...)

[jiminyC_fan]

I love the idea. That way everyone will have a chance at pics. Aprilgail2, did you mean that you took pics while up in the air, also? Too cool.

[aprilgail2]

Yes, I took pics as we were going up, then I took pics of the shoreline and also of Matthew who went up tandam with me...and while I was taking pics from up there with one of my cameras the mate was taking pics of us up in the air with another camera.

[shefor24]

I am reading these posts about taking the camera up with you and boy do I have a story for you. We went to Cocoa Beach and I wanted to go parasailing. My 9 year old twins- one wanted to go and one didn't (go figure!). So the one that went tandem with me-she had taken all her pictures on her disposable camera that I bought each of them before we left. You can see where this story is going....so we both begged the other twin to let us use her camera for the last 4 pictures on her camera. We talked and talked finally convicing her to let us take it up. She is one that is very very careful of what pictures she took over vaca- where the other one wasted it on silly stuff everywhere we went. So I took her camera tight in my hand and me and the twin lifted off the boat nicely. We were up in the air quite a little ways when all of a sudden the rope jerked real hard (scared me to death) and I grabbed ahold of the ropes we were supposed to hang on to. Well, I realized I let go of the camera and looked down just in time to see the tiny splash down below. UUUGGHH. Just talking about this story makes me so upset. The twin cried for I bet 2 hours and I bet I apologized 100 times, but it still didn't bring back the pictures she worked so hard to take on our trip. I know- nothing to do with the topic, but had to share this--be careful with the cameras!!!!!:( :( :( :(

[AUTUMNSAM]

I just booked the parasailing excursion for May. I booked single the two I'm traveling with said no way. I just wanted to check meaning I booked single will I go up by myself? I sure hope so I really don't want to go tandam with a stranger. If this is the way they do it I might cancell. Please let me know.


Thanks Judy

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

shefor24 , yet another great tip from the DIS boards! Use a disposable camera that you haven't started on yet! Then just finish that one off after the parasailing. Of course you won't have lost it in this case, cause Murphy's Law says so. Thanks!

AUTUMNSAM, The impression I got from the description was that you'd be going up solo, I'd be bummed to be paired with a stranger if neither of you were expecting it.

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by AUTUMNSAM
I just booked the parasailing excursion for May. I booked single the two I'm traveling with said no way. I just wanted to check meaning I booked single will I go up by myself? I sure hope so I really don't want to go tandam with a stranger. If this is the way they do it I might cancell. Please let me know.


Thanks Judy
I have never heard of them forcing anyone to go up tandam....it is a heck of a lot more fun to go up with someone rather than alone, but not a stranger!!!

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Oh my GOSH, those pictures on Barb's site are SO COOL. I can't imagine being so high! They're just flyin you like a kite, huh. I'll have to double check those weight restrictions. My DS is just 52 lbs.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Just an FYI post for anyone else deciding on where to parasail.
For my situation, my DS is under 8 and would not be allowed to go on Castaway Cay. So I needed another plan. I think I'll go with this place on St Thomas as they will allow him to go with a parent (I'll definatelly check out the harness' fit) and just pick up a ride from the Coral World area, since I wanted to go there anyway. Also, this one is $55/per single, $100. tandem and $10 for observer. Such a deal!

My email to them....
Thank you for the information. It sounds wonderful! Couple of questions though.
1) My kids will be approx. 43 and 55 lb. at time of Oct. trip. Will they both be able to do tandem rides, one child/one parent?

2) Is there an area where we might show up without reservations and have a good chance of getting to ride? Knowing Murphy's Law ... I'm not comfortable prepaying and would not have access to giving cancellation notice from 3 days to 24 hours prior to the reservation.

And his reply...
Hi Lori,
Yes both children will be able to go with their parents and the best thing to do is make a reservation the morning you get here. Will let you know at that time what is available. However if you plan a trip over to the Coral World area we almost always have a boat there.
Thanks again,
Joe Campana
Caribbean WaterSports & Tours

[jiminyC_fan]

Hi everyone, I need advice. I am a very nervous nellie and klutz. Do you think that someone like me could parasail without a major heart attack? It does look like fun but I never take a risk on anything. What do you think?

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by jiminyC_fan
Hi everyone, I need advice. I am a very nervous nellie and klutz. Do you think that someone like me could parasail without a major heart attack? It does look like fun but I never take a risk on anything. What do you think?

It really is not bad....I don't like heights but I was 100 percent comfortable up there..you hardly feel yourself going up at all, they wind you in and out like a kite on a string! It was VERY smooth and the best part is when they slow the boat down and you drop down (VERY slowly) and they dip you in the water (just feet and sometimes up to your waist). It really is a nice ride, you will have a good time.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Now APRIL, I hear that, that dip is optional, right?
Oh, and one more addendum to the prev. info for St Thomas. They give you a $4./adult and $2/child discount for Coral World, if you ask for it when reserving. (or there's the $3 and$1 online coupon)

Come on JimminyC_fan, or should I say Nellie we'll cheer you on!

[aprilgail2]

Yes, the dip was optional...they do a good job with it though...the 2 times I got dipped I had a camera in my hand and it never got a drop of water on it!

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by shefor24

We were up in the air quite a little ways when all of a sudden the rope jerked real hard (scared me to death) and I grabbed ahold of the ropes we were supposed to hang on to. Well, I realized I let go of the camera and looked down just in time to see the tiny splash down below... The twin cried for I bet 2 hours and I bet I apologized 100 times, but it still didn't bring back the pictures she worked so hard to take on our trip.

Oh, shefor24, I know you feel just awful. And this is one of those things... she will eventually forgive you... but she'll <b><i>never</i></b> forget.

[jiminyC_fan]

Okay, Dreams. You said you would cheer me on but what is your final decision? Are you going????? Or just your hubby and the kids? Thanks April, you have made me realize that there is life after parasailing. Now all I need is courage. Sounds like a movie, doesn't it? Anyone know where OZ is??

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Heck YES I'm going! But it can't be at Castaway Cay, as DS is under 8yrs. We'll do it at St. Thomas. My DH fears heights but I'm making him go in order for us to get both kids up. :D I'll just tell him how sexy he looks doing it. That worked for getting him up a two story ladder to paint the house. ;) Otherwise I'll just go TWICE! No sacrifice to great for my little cherubs.
Originally posted by jiminyC_fan
Anyone know where OZ is?? What are you talking about???

[jiminyC_fan]

Oz is where the lion got his courage in Wizard of Oz. Come on, tell me you have seen it.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH. See, had I been there, I would have been in line for the brain.