I'm a chicken - parasailing

[mickeymom923]

Okay, I'm in my early 50's and I'm a chicken. I'm afraid of heights; going in the water past my knees; hated Space Mountain and was dizzy afterwards; not very adventurous. A friend wants me to go parasailing in Castaway Cay. Part of me wishes I could try it and the bigger part of me is terrified. Are there any other chickens out there? If you went parasailing, please tell me what you experienced? Is it scary? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bev

 

[strega7]

We went parasailing on Castaway and it was one of the highlights of the trip. They launch you from the boat, and pull you back into the boat. The only time you get wet is when they slow down and dip your feet in for fun. There were two boats that left at the same time when we went, and because we aren't pushy people, they filled the first one up (maybe 8 or 9 people), and we got put on the second boat (only 5 people). After we were done, and getting ready to head back to shore, we looked over and the other boat lost power while someone was in the air, and the poor guy went for a swim. I don't think he enjoyed the sailing as much as we did, but I doubt that happens very often. I felt safe, it was absolutely beautiful, and my sister and I got to go up at the same time. I recommend it.

 

[Aisling]

I thought I was afraid of heights, and then I bravely went parasailing, and found I'm not as bad as I thought I was. Before I was even strapped in, I told the driver NO dipping, and I wasn't dipped.
I almost didn't do it, because I felt once I'm up there and in case I panic, it would take a few minutes to get me down, which would feel like an eternity when freaking out. And that's considering they could even hear me from way up there, and I mean WAY!

So, I decided I was going to do it. I was the third person from our little boat to go up, so I got a good look at how the whole thing works, and when I saw the reactions of the ones who went before me, they were so exhilirated and said it was awesome. The only thing that stood with me to make me a bit scared was how high you go up. They looked like dots up there.
I was strapped in, instructed, and off I went, I can fly I can fly I can fly! I went up rather quickly, with no real time change my mind before I was way up, and saw how beautiful it was, how peaceful. The ride was smooth, and after a moment, I didn't even hold on to the side ropes. I just spread out my arms and flew. I'm so glad I did it.

It took a lot of courage for me to do this, but the anticipation was worse than the flight.

I hope you decide to do it and that you have an incredible awesome experience.

 

[LuvEeyore]

I love to parasail and I am 41 and went for the first time about 11 years ago. That being said I was the first one up after a tropical storm in Freeport. It took several minutes for them to get me down. It was great and I was hooked. The guys who were in charge of our boat were a lot of fun and very safety conscious. There was a hole in the parashoot so they took us back and got a new shoot. There was a young lady who was receiving her wish from Make a Wish foundation and they were careful with her when she went up with her father. She wanted the crew to get her mom and sister wet and they did. Enough to get them wet but not above the knees. Everyone after that went in at least the feet. It was great.
Go for it!!

 

[RonnieJo66]

MickeyMom923

I went parasailing on CC a few years back. Let me say that I am highly afraid of water, so needless to say this was big for me.

I asked not to get wet....no problem. They hooked me up and away I went (ok, so I was talking to myself the first few minutes.... convincing myself that I was okay)

Once I got all the way up, you would not believe how quiet it actually is up there. It was awesome! I would do it again

I think the biggest part of being afraid is the unknown....try not to let it stop you from living life and doing the things you want to try. (ok, off my soapbox I come )

Hope that helped

 

[Dixielady908]

thanks for all the posts on this.....Well I think that you convienced me to give it a try......scared of heights...but it sounds safe so I think I will give it a try.....


Denise

 

[love2travel]

I went parasailing for the first time last Nov. on Castaway Cay and absolutely loved it. It was one of the best things I have ever done and it was absolutely beautiful and very peaceful! GO FOR IT!!!

 

[skoi]

Another slightly timid, non-outdoorsy type saying try it.

I'm not crazy about heights. I can swim, but just a little bit. Dh and I did it on our first trip because I wanted to do something exciting thinking this would be our one and only cruise (ha ha, fooled me). It wasn't scary. In fact, it was kind of a let down because I expected something like a combination of flying and water skiing-- flying through the air. You just sort of float. It was nice. My one regret was not taking up a camera to get pictures.

Julie

soon to be six

 

[Par8hed]

I thought I was afraid of heights, and then I bravely went parasailing, and found I'm not as bad as I thought I was. Before I was even strapped in, I told the driver NO dipping, and I wasn't dipped.
I almost didn't do it, because I felt once I'm up there and in case I panic, it would take a few minutes to get me down, which would feel like an eternity when freaking out. And that's considering they could even hear me from way up there, and I mean WAY!

So, I decided I was going to do it. I was the third person from our little boat to go up, so I got a good look at how the whole thing works, and when I saw the reactions of the ones who went before me, they were so exhilirated and said it was awesome. The only thing that stood with me to make me a bit scared was how high you go up. They looked like dots up there.
I was strapped in, instructed, and off I went, I can fly I can fly I can fly! I went up rather quickly, with no real time change my mind before I was way up, and saw how beautiful it was, how peaceful. The ride was smooth, and after a moment, I didn't even hold on to the side ropes. I just spread out my arms and flew. I'm so glad I did it.

It took a lot of courage for me to do this, but the anticipation was worse than the flight.

I hope you decide to do it and that you have an incredible awesome experience.

Loved your post. But whats with the font?

 

[eeyoregon]

Question: If you tandem parasail at Castaway Cay, is their a price break or do you still pay $75 per person?

 

[tynkerbell]

Question: If you tandem parasail at Castaway Cay, is their a price break or do you still pay $75 per person?

No price break.

 

[carolina_yankee]

thanks for all the posts on this.....Well I think that you convienced me to give it a try......scared of heights...but it sounds safe so I think I will give it a try.....
Denise

I think you'll be glad you did. I'm nervous about heights, but only when I don't feel supported (like when I'm on top of something big, or have no railings). The thing about parasailing is that you're supported from above. The one time I did it, I had a blast - and it felt like I was just sitting in a swing (though well secured). I even had both video and still cameras with me and was able to take a pic or to. (sadly, the video was stolen a few months later.) These are in Seattle.

The fun thing was that the people in the boat spotted dolphins and started chasing them, forgetting about me up there, so I had twice as long! (And I felt nothing as they zigged and zagged to follow the dolphins.)

 

[mickeymom923]

All of your replies have helped me to feel safer. Can you wear glasses up there? If I don't wear them, I won't see anything. Are the life jackets that you wear like the ones on the ship? I feel closed in wearing the life jackets during the life boat drill. Is it scary coming down and just seeing water under you?

Thanks from Chicken Bev

 

[FLmomof2]

If my in laws wanted to parasail and my husband and I wanted too also could my 2 children come in the boat with us or would we have to go at different times on the boat? (so that my children would stay with us on the boat then when it was our turn to go they could sit with my inlaws)

Also would I have to pay for them to go on the boat?

 

[SB's Mom]

Check your children in to the kids club and go with your-in-laws. I don't think children under 8 are allowed to go in the parasailing boats. My DH and I parasailed 2 years ago and check our 6 year old into the kids club as soon as we left the boat and parasailed in the second group out. She had a great time there and we picked her up after parasailing. In June, our DD will be parasailing (she turned 8 today and is old enough to sail tandem) with us and she is totally excited about it!

Have fun!

 

[FLmomof2]

Check your children in to the kids club and go with your-in-laws. I don't think children under 8 are allowed to go in the parasailing boats. My DH and I parasailed 2 years ago and check our 6 year old into the kids club as soon as we left the boat and parasailed in the second group out. She had a great time there and we picked her up after parasailing. In June, our DD will be parasailing (she turned 8 today and is old enough to sail tandem) with us and she is totally excited about it!

Have fun!

My daughters will be 1 and 4 at the time, so I'm not sure I could check the little one into a club....

And are you referring to a club on land or on the boat?
Thanks for your suggestion

 

[jillane88]

I feel better knowing they launch you right from the boat and you land back in the boat. I've seen way too many bad beach take-offs on America's Funnies Home Videos to make me never want to go that route.

 

[scottishwee35]

i booked parasalling for my husband. When we went to Castaway and find out that it was cancelling due to strong wind. Disappointed about that, my husband was looking forward to but never mind!!

As all sports things had been cancelled well.

Scottishwee35