Farshad Farivar

Parasailing is an activity also known by the names of parascending and more popularly as parakiting. While performing this activity a person or a participant is towed behind a vehicle which is usually a boat. On the other hand he is also attached to a specially designed canopy wing that looks like a parachute. This wing is known as a parasail wing. Farshad Farivar says that the boat used in executing this activity can be replaced by a truck, a car or may be any other vehicle. When the vehicle moves at speed it takes the participant off the ground in the air. Farshad Farivar says that if this activity is executed using boat and the boat is powerful enough two or may be three people can parasail at a same time.

Farshad Farivar informs that while executing this activity the parascender has little or no control over the parasail. He also states that this activity is performed mostly for fun and should not be confused with paragliding. Farshad Farivar says that these two terms paragliding and parasailing are often considered same and used in place of one another but technically they are different. He says that both parachute and parasail can ascend and glide but between these two parasail is considered and is comparatively more stable and efficient during the ascent mode when being towed with zero or minimum control of the parasailor. On the other hand parachute is not that efficient and primarily used for skydiving where the parachutist can control the direction of parachute fully.

Farshad Farivar says that the kite color in this activity is usually bright in order to match beach area which is used for executing this activity. He also says that at times most of the people choose the colors according to their choice or according to their favorite teams.

Farshad Farivar feels it important to mention here that this activity of parasailing has got comparatively much better and improved canopy designs. In last few years the operators has moved from small (20-foot range) parachutes to large (30-40) parachutes enabling high lifts. It has also got low-drag designs enabling participants’ to fly higher in low winds. It has developed so much that now offers double or may be triple flights using side by side bar arrangements. This side by side bar arrangements enables two or three participants to enjoy this activity together.

Farshad Farivar says that there are several modern parasail equipment innovations. Some of them include stationary platform (1971), motorized platform (1972), Winch boat (1974), Skyrider Chair (1985), Auto Rope Guide (1994), and Riser Line Assembly (1999). Among these Farshad Farivar says that winchboat is the most famous as this incorporates a winch system to launch and retrieve parasailor from the boat.