Anyone been parasailing?

[lspst8]

My DH wants to give this a try when we go to the Outer Banks in a few days, and I'm a little nervous. We would do it tandem, so I think that would make it a little better. Can anyone describe what it is like? I'm kind of a big baby when it comes to adventuresome rides (I refuse to go on roller coasters that go upside down and free-fall rides like the Tower of Terror are not my favorite). I'm hoping parasailing is more floating and happpy than scary and tear-inducing. How terrifying is parasailling?

 

[luvmy3jewels]

My dh and I parasailed in Key West a couple of years ago and had a lot of fun. If you want an easy "float in the air" experience, make sure you tell the tour operator that. It's not that scary at all. On the tour we were on, they would slow down and dunk you in the water towards the end which was (to me) the worst thing. But that was something you can ask not to do as well.

I think I read in your previous post that you are going in early May? If so, be forewarned that the ocean is still really chilly. It doesn't really warm up until June to be what I consider comfortable.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I thought I should add - I would advise you not to pre-book a parasailing tour and wait until you are here and can see what the weather is like. This time of year, our weather is really up and down (yesterday was in the low 60's, today is mid-70's, and weekend will be upper 80's). It would be really chilly if you went on a day that was in the 60's or maybe even 70's.

 

[GoodFairies]

No need to be nervous. It's much slower and calmer than you'd expect. It was fun/nice, but not very exciting. The scariest part was down on the speedboat.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I've parasailed twice. Single in St. John and triple in the Outer Banks (me, dh and our neice).

I found it much more floaty and relaxing than exciting or scary, but then, I love crazy rides. They reel you in and out so slowly, then you just hang there admiring the view. We didn't do much of a water dunk at the end, either, just up to the knee or so, and while it was the most exciting part, it really was no big deal (to me).

Go for it, it's fun!

 

[kristilew]

please check all equipment carefully. Last summer, two women died in a parasailing accident at one of our beaches. There is very little regulation on these operations. Not to freak you out, but it did happen.

http://news14.com/coastal-news-110-content/headlines/613937/parasailing-accident-kills-2-at-ocean-isle-beach/?ap=1&=Flash

 

[KandD]

I parasailed in Key West as well. It was actually a really calm experience. I would definitely do it again. The only time I was nervous was when we were coming down back on the boat.

 

[SC Minnie]

I am afraid of heights to the point its hard to breathe when I am near a ledge or anything. I've been parasailing twice both times on Castaway Cay. The first time solo and the second tandem with DD. The first time I was a little nervous until I got in the air and realized it was not going to fall. They had us sitting in a harness. We also went from the boat and was pulled back into the boat. I don't think I would like getting pulled from shore and landing on shore (like I've seen done at the beach).

I would check out the company carefully. Also check out how they lift you off and back down.

 

[Pakey]

We all parasailed at WDW by the Contemporary (DH, myself, our 6 adult children/spouses). I was terrified. We could not ride tandem due to weight requirements (we are not overweight but the weight restrictions were severe).

I was frightened the entire time. I survived it but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it. The other 7 in my family LOVED it.

 

[ZachnElli]

I'm with those who said it's calm and relaxing. It's not thrilling or exciting at all, nothing like a roller coaster. Dh and I did it tandem in Hawaii and they didn't even offer a water dunk. Just a nice gentle ride!

 

[DisneyGirl421]

I went parasailing on Castaway Cay when we went on the Wonder a few years ago, and had a blast. It's not scary, you get more of the floating/flying effects rather than free-falling, and you get some great views of your surrounding areas. I bought an underwater camera up with me and got awesome photos.
They did the whole dunk my feet/legs into the water at the end, but if you ask them not to, they should listen.

 

[disney1990]

please check all equipment carefully. Last summer, two women died in a parasailing accident at one of our beaches. There is very little regulation on these operations. Not to freak you out, but it did happen.

http://news14.com/coastal-news-110-content/headlines/613937/parasailing-accident-kills-2-at-ocean-isle-beach/?ap=1&=Flash

Were they not wearing life preservers? Sad to hear. I loved parasailing -- and I am afraid of heights, big time.

 

[wdwmom2]

DH and I parasailed in Ocean City, MD. It was fun, even though I am terrified of heights. On thing did concern me though. Once I was up in the air, 800 ft, I saw thousands upon thousands of stingrays! They were EVERYWHERE off shore!! The scary part is when they "dip" your toes in the water. Well, I got "dipped" up to my waist! All I could think about was getting stuck by a stingray!

 

[chisnpeke]

DH and I parasailed in Ocean City, MD. It was fun, even though I am terrified of heights. On thing did concern me though. Once I was up in the air, 800 ft, I saw thousands upon thousands of stingrays! They were EVERYWHERE off shore!! The scary part is when they "dip" your toes in the water. Well, I got "dipped" up to my waist! All I could think about was getting stuck by a stingray!

You were 800 feet up?

 

[wdwmom2]

You were 800 feet up?

Yep. We had the choice of doing 600 or 800 ft. Of course we couldn't do the wimpy one. Glad I did it once, but with my fear of heights, I have no desire to do it again!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I have done 500 ft in Maui, and 800 feet in Australia. My DD was with me both times (although not tandem) here are some pictures so you can get an idea!

my DD

 

[Briarmom]

I went tandem with my DS when he was 7. We were in Egypt. I don't think there were any specific heights or anything. It was calming and thrilling all at once.

 

[Tink415]

We parasailed at WDW at the CR. I went tandem with my younger DD. I'm glad I did it once, but they made me remove my glasses so I couldn't see a thing, everything was a blur. My older DD could not go tandem with her BF because the weight limit is 300 lbs. And no dipping in the water at WDW.

 

[Evi]

I para sailed once when I was 12. The experience kept me from scuba diving lol. Let me explain, I went para-sailing in Mexico where the water is so blue its crystal clear when your up there and I saw many fish and stingrays and all these wonderful things but I saw two things that caught my eye and stayed with me first when I looked down the people on the beach look like little ants but then as I looked into the water I saw what looked to me to be a shark and it was many many times bigger then the people. I also saw what looked to be an octopus opening and closing and it was also bigger then the people. You know I was a kid and maybe I didn't see it right but I remember getting in the water and jumping into the boat as fast as I could and into wanting to go back into the water.

 

[hereyago]

I have parasailed at CC. I am a big ol chicken with heights, well the thought of falling to my death more like. but i had lost my DF that year and I was more inept to trying things I wouldn't normally do and make the most of my life.

It was very calming as other posters have said, and for me it was peaceful looking all around and there is nothing up there but you and the wind. I took pictures. They asked in advance if they could dunk me, I am like, I am cool with water so I wasn't afraid.

Now, sky diving, I would never do that. Or bungee jumping.