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Parasailing Started After Parachute Attached to a Moving Car
from: Maxx Sports GuidesParachute teacher Piere Lamoigne was teaching his students about the use of parachutes when he had an ingenious idea: attaching a parachute to a car.
As the vehicle went faster, the parachute filled with air and lifted, along with the attached student. At a certain height, the vehicle slowed down and the student was dropped.
Originally, this was called parascending.
Parasailing Born
Soon after, Pioneer Parachute Company applied for the exclusive rights on the name -- parasail. Thus parasailing was born.
During the 70s Mark McCulloh used parasails at sea, resulting in parasailing becoming a popular recreational activity. He raised parachutes from the seashore and went on to design a platform with a motor.
McCulloh decided that a boat could heave the parachute to a specific ship, leading to the most popular form of modern parasailing known as winchboat parasailing.
Records show that winchboat parasailing (also known as the Parasail Launching and Retrieving Apparatus) had numerous accidents before its complete commercial launching in the 80s.
Declared a Sport
The parasailor's safety was a major concern, especially after the first accident during a 1977 media event. After major setbacks, parasailing eventually became one of the most-loved family sports activities in the world.
Most parasailing hobbies or competitions are held over water or in the air. In fact, parasailing started becoming popular after being declared as a form of sports.
Today, parasailing contests are held on land in various parts of the world. Finland and Northern Europe are famous for land-based parasailing.
Parasailing is now a famous sport for individuals and families, while a number of groups look at it as a hobby.
Still others spice up their vacations by going to beaches or other vacation spots that offer parasailing. The fun and thrill of the ride makes it a unique sport.
The military and most commercial operators use parasailing in their training programs for water survival. And note this: NASA has used Mark McCulloh's idea in their C-38 Crew Rescue Vehicle!
Parasailing has come a long, long way since its birth in the 60s. Whether you view as a type of sports, a hobby, or maybe just a one-time experience, it's fun and exhilarating.
So stop being a chicken; try parasailing soon and fly with the eagles.
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