Parasailing is an incredible experience! As you soar in the air and feel the wind on your face, the excitement begins to kick in. There are two ways to parasail – winch-boat parasailing, generally done solo, where you take off and land on a winch boat, and beach parasailing, where you’re launched from the beach itself.
The beach landing can be a tricky business and requires good coordination and expertise on the part of the ground staff and the powerboat operator. Not every operator can claim high standards when it comes to safety.
Winch-boat parasailing has another advantage over beach parasailing: it lets you go higher up in the air.
◆ Where to parasail: Parasailing around Sinquerim-Candolim-Calangute gives you a spectacular view of Fort Aguada and also of the famous grounded tanker River Princess. The other views to take in are off the beautiful Arossim-Cansaulim and Utorda stretches; you can also spot the stunning coastline and the isolated Grande and Bait islands off the Mormugao Coast nearby. Another good place to parasail is the Mobor Beach, especially near The Leela Palace hotel, where the River Sal meets the Arabian Sea and forms the beautiful Mobor Peninsula, crowned by the Betul hillock. From Miramar, you can capture the views of the Mandovi meeting the sea.
◆ Rates: Rides last for 3–6 minutes and cost `800–1,500; boat ride charges extra
◆ Skills required You should be comfor-table both with heights and water
safety Tip Double check your harness, cord and all your other gear before taking off. Apart from the boat operator, always ensure there is another observer in the boat, as the boat operator won’t be able to keep an eye on you.