Parasailing

Parasailing, also known as parascending, is a recreational activity where a person (two people may also ride at the same time) is towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a parachute. The parascender has little or no control over the parachute.

The water based activity is primarily an amusement ride; not to be confused with the sport of paragliding. However, land based parasailing has been formed into competition sport in Northern Europe, especially in Finland. In this form of the sport, the parasail is towed behind a car or a snowmobile.

In accuracy competitions, the tow-vehicle controls the speed and height, whilst the person flying the parasail controls the parasail sideways. The competitions consist of two parts: dropping a streamer to a target and accuracy landing. The sport was developed at the end of 1990s and is growing fast. The first international competitions were held in 2004.