Let me preface this by saying I've been in a hotair balloon and absolutely loved it. The landing was a bit rough as the gondola bounced over tumbleweeds, rocks and sagebrush, but it wasn't too bad. So, I'm not too frightened of not having my feet firmly planted on the ground. However, I have no clue how parasailing works.
Where should I start to research this? Our cruise is on RCI and their site doesn't make it sound too bad; I think they gave it the medium rating...not too hard, but not the easiest either.
For instance, how do you get up in the air? How does the envelope fill with air? How smooth is the landing? If you've done this before, or know someone who has, could you offer some pointers, please?
I have parasailed 3 times, once in Acapulco and twice in Mazatlan. Each time it was a beach takeoff and landing.
There are 2 methods used for takeoff and landings.
The easiest is from the boat. You start on a platform on the back of the boat and they reel you out like a kite and then reel you back in.
In a beach take off they hold open the chute to fill it will air as the pulls away, you take a few steps and you start to to up. When it it time to come down they pull you towards shore and give you a signal to pull on the ropes on one side, this turns you over the beach as you come down. They have someone on the beach to "catch you". Really they just stready you as you land.
I generaly do not handle high places particularly well. I will admit that the first time I went it was after a few cocktails and a lot of convincing that I would be ok. The next 2 times in did not need the encouragement. It is hard to describe how while hanging in the harness and looking down it did not bother me. The view is fabulous. There was never a feeling of falling while decending.
The other thing to remember is that your actual flight time is very short, maybe 10 minutes or so. I had found some information that was more detailed...lets see if I can find it.
I will also add that my wife is not the most adventureous person but she did go up and enjoyed it. Again is was the land based version.
Each time I went and the time my wife went we never got wet.
The first time for my Wife took 4 margarita's,from then on just a few tequila shooters,We have did both ways,no problems the only place I know of that a little caution is required is in P.V,mX.The strong wind days can land U against a hotel !
DH took me tandem parasailing (both of us went up at the same time) in Jamaica several years ago. We took off and landed from a platform on the boat. The cable that held our chute to the boat was mechanically released and brought in, so the boat staff controlled our altitude and length of time that we were up. It's so peaceful...
One word of caution, if you get motion sickness, take some Bonine before doing this just to be on the safe side. DH nearly got sick at 500 feet up....
DH took me tandem parasailing (both of us went up at the same time) in Jamaica several years ago. We took off and landed from a platform on the boat. The cable that held our chute to the boat was mechanically released and brought in, so the boat staff controlled our altitude and length of time that we were up. It's so peaceful...
One word of caution, if you get motion sickness, take some Bonine before doing this just to be on the safe side. DH nearly got sick at 500 feet up....
I have never heard of someone getting sick up there but I suppose it could happen.
The first time for my Wife took 4 margarita's,from then on just a few tequila shooters,We have did both ways,no problems the only place I know of that a little caution is required is in P.V,mX.The strong wind days can land U against a hotel !
The wind can blow you into the hotels at the Gold Zone in Matatlan as well. If the boat driver is paying attention they can keep a little tension on the line and pull you back to the beach as you land.
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Parasailing-- Several ?'s from a landlubber
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