Parasail on Clearwater Beach vacation

Parasailing, also known as parascending, or "parakiting" is a recreational kiting activity where a person is towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a specially designed canopy wing that reminds one of a parachute, known as a parasail wing. On land or over water the manned kite's moving anchor may be a car, truck, or boat; parasailing just by kiting in heavy winds is highly discouraged. The boat then drives off, carrying the parascender or wing and person into the air. If the boat is powerful enough, two or three people can parasail behind it at the same time. The parascender has little or no control over the parachute.

There are six parts of a parasail. The harness attaches the pilot to the parasail, which is connected to the boat, or land vehicle, by the tow rope. The activity is primarily a fun ride, not to be confused with the sport of paragliding. There are commercial parasailing operations all over the world.
Land based parasailing has also been formed into competition sport in Europe. In land based competition parasailing, the parasail is towed to maximum height behind a 4 wheel drive vehicle and then releases the tow line and flies down to a target area in an accuracy competition. The sport was developed in the early 80's and has been very popular ever since. The first international competitions were held in the mid 80's and continue to run today.
1. Have ground assistants check the rig and flight harness on the parasailor before takeoff. Then ground assistants take their positions holding open opposite sides of the sail.
2. Signal the boat driver to go. 
3. Instruct the boat driver to begin slowly accelerating to take up the slack line while ground assistants and the parasailor move forward with the rope. Assistants hold the guidelines to help the sail fill up with air.
4. The parasailor should take a few long strides with the rope taut, but not aid in the liftoff process by jumping or pulling up his or her feet. The canopy will do this on its own.
5. Steer the parasail by pulling down on risers on the side of the desired direction. No steering should actually ever be necessary.
6. Direct the pick-up boat to trail 200 feet behind the parasailor.
7. Release the safety pin to allow the parasailor to float gently down into the water at either a high or low altitude.
8. Pick up the parasailor and equipment in the safety boat and return to shore to launch again.
Tips & Warnings
1. Ground assistants must hold the guidelines evenly or the parasail will take off in a diagonal direction.
2. Do not parasail in winds stronger than 15 mph.
3. If the parasail rotates more than 45 degrees in the air, the safety pin should be pulled before the canopy can spill its air and drop the sailor.
4. The parasailor must wear a life vest, as the harness is too heavy to swim in.
5. Parasailing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
Article Source: http://goarticles.com/article/Parasail-on-Clearwater-Beach-vacation/5766650/