Imagine yourself swinging more than 100 feet above the ocean. As the boat stops, you steadily flow downwards and just when you are about to plunge into the water, the boat zooms again swinging you back into the air. 

This is the exhilarating sport of parasailing where you get to fly like a bird with your wings open to capture an experience of a lifetime.

The rider is hitched to a parachute like canopy called as parasail which in turn is attached to a motorboat or a jeep in parasailing.  As the vehicle moves, the parasail soars into the air. All you have to do is snap yourself into a comfortable harness attached to the parasail and enjoy free flying as the vehicle speeds away. Depending upon the length of the tow rope connecting the vehicle to the parasail one can fly up to hundreds of feet in the air. 

Parasailing primarily is of two types- Terrestrial and Aquatic. In aquatic parasailing the parasail is attached to a motorboat whereas in terrestrial it’s attached to a jeep. Whatever the type be, the sheer thrill and excitement offered by this sport makes it a popular family sport as well as a hot favorite amongst adventure enthusiasts.

These days parasailing is more of a joyride than a sport. With some basic training and equipments in hand one can experience the thrills offered by it. Some necessary equipment required for parasailing are a parasail chute, harness, rope, yoke, carabineers and a vehicle to which the sail is attached.

India offers a plethora of locations for parasailing. In Maharashtra there is Matheran and Kamshet. Then there are some spectacular beaches in Goa for this sport. Himachal Pradesh in North India encompasses a number of parasailing locations like Kangra Valley, Garhwal, Solan and Kullu. Moving West, Rajasthan again offers wonderful locations like Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Uttranchal is another good location for parasailing in India.

Parasailing provides an enthralling experience where one can transform into a human kite fulfilling the lust of free flying. But make sure to take all precautions so that your parasailing experience is contended and complete. Always use good quality licensed equipments and practice with a certified parasailing company. 

So now billowing high into the blue sky is no longer a dream. Try parasailing and feel the vast blue at a hand stretch distance.

The tangy, hint-of-iodine scented ocean breeze is so good, yeh dil mange more; snow covered peaks can calm the mind, and a walk through the woods can uncover the amazing bounty of nature. Even a camel ride through desert sands, across vast and endless landscapes can have a miraculous effect — the mind slows down as it searches for nothing, because it begins to see the tremendous play of nature in something as simple as sand.

No two sand dunes are identical; no swirl in the wind is the same; no shadow in the sun has the same shape; it is mesmerising. But you have nothing to match it against in the barren landscape. It makes you look inwards. You discover that the real outdoors is within.

Meanwhile, in the world outside, the overwhelming richness of sights, textures, sounds, shapes and colours is never enough — you want to drink in more than what is around you. You want to spend another 10 minutes by the sea, another 20 looking at the mountains, another 30 in the forest.

If you are sailing on a river, and you are lucky enough to be in the moonlight, time slips by faster than the water in the wake of your boat. Sometimes, you wish time would stand still. Franklin Buchanan may have been right when he said, “There is enough in the world for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” But this is not true when it comes to nature — there is enough to satiate even the most limitless form of greed. Fill your senses: There is no way to enjoy nature other than through extreme greed.

Dinesh KS is the co-founder of Wildcraft.

This is the first of a series linking the deadly sins with the outdoors.

Dinesh pens his thoughts on outdoor adventures in DNA. This article appeared in the DNA on Tuesday, August 4, 2009.

For the article in DNA, click here.

Introducing – the Wildcraft “Signature Series”

To reinforce the international quality standards & in line with rolling-out state-of-the-art products, the range has been designed with best in class materials.

1. Made with HD 1000D texturized w/r Nylon Fabric which is tough, abrasion resistant & long-lasting; stitched with Nylon bonded thread & bar-tacked to last a lifetime.

2. The series features select models from the best selling Outdoor Gear range from the current catalogue.

3. Now available in FOUR single color options –
Camouflage, Grey, Green, Blue

4. The entire range will be carrying a TWENTY FIVE year warranty

Signature Series models Available NOW in stores.
Alpinist, Trailblazer, TechPac, Pack Y, Wallet y

Also watch out for additional models to be launched under Signature series shortly –
Daypack A4, Eiger, Cauvery & Gangotri, Cruiser & Ursa

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