ashenTwo of the most fascinating sports for adventure lovers who aren’t freaked out by heights. However, it is crucial to know the accurate interpretation of both these sports, the major differences and requirements to determine the best fit for you. If you are planning to go parasailing or paragliding and are torn between which to choose, this paraglide vs parasail guide is for you.
Paraglide vs Parasail-Main Difference
There is nothing complex about the two sports that you won’t understand, at least initially. The sole difference between the two sports is that parasailing depends on another vehicle, usually a motorboat or a jeep. Parasailing is offered in three forms around the world. Namely, Beach parasailing, Winchboat parasailing, and Platform parasailing. The most popular is winch boat parasailing, because it is out in the open sea and less prone to accidents. The boat generates sufficient impulse ensuring the parasailers are connected to safety. The specifically designed parachute known as the parasail is attached to the person who in turn is attached to the boat. On the other hand, the paraglide gives you the same status as that of a free flying bird.
In paragliding, you are responsible for achieving the lift and flying. Air and thermals are your source of power. Usually, you have to run downhill and take off as you gain momentum for a smooth flight. Take offs are fun, being above the clouds is glamorous, close proximity is sensational. If the weather is calm, you are in for the time of your life.
Paraglide vs Parasail: Preparation & Technique
There is one major difference between the two parachutes. The one used in paragliding takes the shape of a parabola while the parasail parachute is more like a hemisphere. As you know, there are a series of connections between the parachute and the person. With paragliding, it is all in charge of the pilot while in parasailing it is the other way. Therefore if you plan on solo paragliding, be prepared to undertake rigorous theoretical and practical training to ensure that you master the skills such as launching, landing and gliding in different weather patterns.
Since safety is of utmost importance in paragliding, there are a few things that you should know before enrolling. A paragliding beginner should never take off into winds more than 15 miles per hour and in wet conditions such as rain or snow. The right place to take off is from a high cliff on a sunny day with moderate winds. Of course when you are training, you are paired with an experienced pilot who will control the paraglider. Your participation is mostly important while launching and landing.
Parasailing isn’t as skill intensive as paragliding. It is pretty elementary and straightforward. Parasail only when winds do not exceed 50mph. The organizers are sure to provide the life jacket and the helmet to prevent injuries. The operator will definitely educate you on how to handle yourself in certain situations and how to signal if you want to end the flight early.
Steps in Paragliding
Only three steps to learn is launching, gliding and landing. However, there is more to it than that which is why you should go through a full course before engaging in the sport individually. The hopping technique is used to launch the paraglider. As we mentioned before, you only have to run down a hill with the paraglider behind you and then let physics do the rest for you. Preparation is the significance here. First you will handle the paperwork and familiarize yourself with the terms of launching and landing. Next after learning about the harness and the equipment, you are ready to practice inflating. Because learning the ground handling during launching and landing are important prior to taking off.
As we mentioned before, tandem flying is a must and is actually quite helpful in the adaptation process. Especially the feeling of being in air and when learning how to set up an approach pattern to land. Once you take your first flight, you will feel the adrenaline pumping. Take control of it and manage to enjoy the view while it lasts. This is basically what you need to know initially and everything else will be descriptively explained to you by your trainer.
Steps in Parasailing
Parasailing is quite simple with very little effort needed from you. Once the chute is in the air, the operator will clip you in, sit you down and once the boat gains speed, you will ascend away from the boat. Remember that they keep attached to the boat by a tow line. And that is all for parasailing. This activity is appropriate if you are on a beach holiday and just looking for some more fun and activity than just swimming and relaxing under the sun. Off-road parasailing is a bit more challenging and should be attempted by those with above regular water parasailing experience.
Best Destinations for Both Activities
For Paragliding,
- Chamonix, French Alps
- Danyang, South Korea
- Julian Alps, Tolmin and Bohinj Regions, Slovenia
- Ölüdeniz, Fethiye, Turkey
- Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain
- Pokhara, Nepal
- Canoa Quebrada, Brazil
- Makapu’u Cliffs, Hawai’i
There are plenty of locations but these are some of the most well known and visited by the travelling community.
For parasailing,
- Copacabana (Rio de Janerio, Brazil)
- Miami (Florida, USA)
- Cape Town (South Africa)
- Goa (India)
- Bali (Indonesia)
- Phuket (Thailand)
- Mauritius
Paragliding vs Skydiving
This too is a little hazy topic and most adventurers are confused on which to choose. Essentially, skydiving is when you climb into an aircraft, fly up to a pretty high altitude. Then you jump out and freefall for about a minute after which you deploy a parachute for landing. Paragliding as we explained before, is just you taking off from the ground solely. A skydiving parachute is built to be released smoothly from high speed, then allow you to fly back to the landing area and gently touch down.
The unique experience with skydiving is that you get to experience freefall from when you jump out of the plane. Therefore it is not for the faint hearted. In short, if climbing to 13,000+ feet in an airplane, and leaping out of the door into a gravity-powered plummet is your kind of adrenaline rush, then go ahead and enjoy diving from the sky. The major difference between these two aerial sports is the sensational thrill associated with skydiving when you depart from the plane.
Parasailing vs kitesurfing
Another mixed up topic. Unlike parasailing, kitesurfing requires considerable dedication to master the sport, sort of like skating on water. You have to be able to ride the waves on the board while controlling the canopy staying in the air. The kitesurfer connects to the canopy via a rope. This rope is attached to a bar which the kitesurfer holds on to with both the hands. Just like a skateboard, you get to perform all sorts of cool stunts such as 360 degree turns and a variety of jumps.
We hope the extra bit of information about the aerial sports was helpful. Paraglide vs Parasail is a much pondered topic among most adrenaline junkies. If you are one of them, I’d suggest trying out paragliding as it requires a bit of effort from your end and you can perfect the skill over time to the point where you can enjoy the sport all by yourself without a supervisor. It definitely is more fulfilling than just merely flying over the ocean.
