There are many different sports and activities which you can do in the water. Two of the sports include paragliding and parasailing. Paragliding can be traced back to 1960 when a Canadian-American made the first paragliding apparatus. However, the sport of parasailing hasn’t been around quite as long. Parasailing was developed in 1974 when the first parasailing apparatus was invented by Mark McCulloh. So, what is the difference between parasailing and paragliding?
In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between parasailing and paragliding. We will also closely examine the equipment needed to participate in each of these activities, as well as the histories of parasailing and paragliding.
What Is Paragliding?
History:
Paragliding has seen quite an evolution in the past several decades. The history of paragliding goes back to 1960 when a Canadian-American named Pierre Lemoigne was working for NASA. To allow better airflow through the canopy of his chute, Lemoigne was cutting slots into his traditional round parachutes. His design had a significant impact on the lift-to-drag ratio and allowed for the pilot to steer the chute in a predictable manner.
In 1962, Walter Newark expanded on Lemoigne’s original modifications and developed a sport known as parascending. Domina Jalbert of Florida invented a square canopy called the Ram Air ParaFoil in 1964 that Walter Newark quickly adopted for parascending. The sport began to gain popularity in the 1970s in the French Alps. By 1979, paragliding began to evolve into the sport it is today, with the help of two individuals named Andre Bohn and Gerard Bosson.
Equipment Needed:
Just like with any other sport, there is certain equipment that you are going to need when you enter the exciting world of paragliding. Because having the wrong equipment can turn you off to a sport immediately, you should make sure that you get suggestions from your instructor regarding the right equipment to purchase. However, the basic equipment you need will usually remain the same, no matter what brand you decide to buy. This is also true for paragliding.
If you are interested in paragliding, the minimum equipment you need to start will be a paragliding harness, a helmet, and a reserve. Because these pieces of equipment are directly related to safety I would strongly recommend doing your research before you decide on purchasing any of them. Beginners typically opt for the least expensive choice, but your safety is at risk. I would recommend spending a little more money and getting better equipment. You also want to make sure that all of your equipment fits properly because it will not function correctly if it doesn’t.
Getting Started:
If you want to be able to go paragliding without the help of an instructor, you are going to have to take a few lessons first. There are certain paragliding ratings that you must achieve before flying solo. When you first start paragliding, you are going to have to fly in tandem with your instructor. This is because there is much more work involved in paragliding than there is in parasailing.
The first step to paragliding requires you to get a student rating of P-0. To get this paraglide rating, you must first fly in tandem with a certified paragliding instructor. Next, you have to acquire and demonstrate a basic understanding of paragliding. Next, you will need to show an ability to listen to and work with your instructor. To get a rating of P-1, you must attend a basic ground school and pass a written exam. Next, you are going to have to demonstrate basic skills and knowledge of the canopy. Finally, you are going to have to launch, fly, and land independently under the direct supervision of a certified instructor.
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What Is Parasailing?
History:
Much like paragliding, parasailing began as an evolution of a sport known as parascending. However, in 1974, an American named Mark McCulloh invented the first self-contained parasailing launching device and a recovery vessel along with a hydraulic assist. By 1976, McCulloh patented his paragliding techniques, called Winchboats. These are now the standard for paragliding and are used in professional competitions around the world.
Brian Gaskin invented the first 16 gore designed canopy known as the Waterbird in 1976, which is known for its special harness design, arrangement, and construction. The companies Waterbird Parakites and Custom Chutes were born, and the popularity of parasailing exploded by the 1990s. In 2013, parasailing officially became recognized as a sport. Today, you can go to practically any beach in the United States, and there are bound to be several options for parasailing.
Equipment Needed:
While parasailing was not officially recognized as a sport until the year 2013, there have been parasailing enthusiasts all over the world since the late 1970s. With its explosion in popularity, parasailers each have their preferred brand and style of equipment that they use almost exclusively. The essential pieces of equipment you are going to need if you want to go parasailing or a harness if it’s a life jacket, and a helmet. GoPros to record this thrilling activity are optional.
You have probably noticed that the most important piece of equipment is missing from the essentials that I listed in the previous paragraph. Of course, that piece of equipment is a boat. However, purchasing a boat can be quite a substantial investment on your part. While it may not be necessary to own a boat if you want to go parasailing, you need to have a boat to pull you. This is where joining a parasailing group might benefit you, because one of the members is bound to have a boat.
Getting Started:
Unlike paragliding, you do not have to obtain any special rating or license to be able to parasail without another person. To enjoy a day of parasailing, the only things that you will need are a boat, a good parasailing parachute, parasailing rope oh, and a life jacket and helmet. While they might not be required, there are parasailing lessons available for you to take on almost every beach in the United States.
The first thing that most parasailing instructors tell their students is that being nervous will make their ride much less enjoyable. The harness is there to keep you safe, so it’s important to remember to stay loose. Because of the recent advancements in modern parasailing, you do not need to know how to steer the chute either. Finally, you do not need to know how to swim to enjoy parasailing. It is one of the few water sports that can say this.
Conclusion:
Paragliding and parasailing are perfect examples of how to completely separate results can come from a common entity. In the case of these two sports, they were both derived from a sport known as parascending, which was invented in 1962 by an Englishman named Walter Newman. While paragliding is widely known as a competitive sport, parasailing is more of a Leisure activity. Both Sports require specially designed parachutes, but that’s basically where their similarities end.
When you’re paragliding, you are operating a free-flying aircraft that is long from a surface by foot. However, there is less control involved when you are parasailing. This activity also requires the participant to be pulled behind a vehicle, which is usually a boat. Parasailers also use a specially designed parachute called a parasail, which is not an aircraft. Now that you know the difference between parasailing and paragliding, why don’t you go out and enjoy both of these activities and judge for yourself? Who knows? You might end up enjoying both of these activities just as much as the other.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.