The History of Parasailing
- The Parachute
Welcome to Parasailing 101 - The History of Parasailing is one of the most tranquil, serene and safe watersport activities today. Parasailing has come quite a ways from it's origins which you will learn all about below. Read on to learn all about the pioneers of the sport.
A gentleman named Pierre Lemoigne is credited for inventing the sport of parasailing unknowningly. Lemoinge was a parachute teacher who also made his own ParaCommander type of parachutes in the early 60's. He found the best method for training his pupils to use the parachute was to attach the parachute to his car and pull the pilot & parachute into the air ascending the parachute into the air. He would then untie the parachute and let the pilot float back to the ground. One day, Lamoigne tied up the parachute to a hot rod and continued to pull the pilot along keeping the parachute a float. Parasailing was born!
This method worked great for Lemoigne's students and proved to be much cheaper and safer than using airplanes. Lemoigne's classes gained popularity and he eventually established an Aeronautical Training Center to introduce his new ascending-gliding parachute which established a training tool for up and comming parachutist. He displayed his new product at various jump centers around Europe.
A gentleman named Pierre Lemoigne is credited for inventing the sport of parasailing unknowningly. Lemoinge was a parachute teacher who also made his own ParaCommander type of parachutes in the early 60's. He found the best method for training his pupils to use the parachute was to attach the parachute to his car and pull the pilot & parachute into the air ascending the parachute into the air. He would then untie the parachute and let the pilot float back to the ground. One day, Lamoigne tied up the parachute to a hot rod and continued to pull the pilot along keeping the parachute a float. Parasailing was born!
This method worked great for Lemoigne's students and proved to be much cheaper and safer than using airplanes. Lemoigne's classes gained popularity and he eventually established an Aeronautical Training Center to introduce his new ascending-gliding parachute which established a training tool for up and comming parachutist. He displayed his new product at various jump centers around Europe.
....in the Summer of '69
Brian with his 3 kids - 1972
Fast forward to the summer of '69, a man with a desire to fly named Brian Gaskin started experimenting with ex-military type parachutes, like Lemoigne used. Brian had a wild idea to add the thrill of flying to his family's weekend boating trips. He had a few problems though as these ex-military parachutes were made for free fall....not made for flying nor family use!
Brian knew he was onto something though and decided he needed a safer way for family and friends to enjoy the thrill of flight. He knew he had to redesign the parachute specifically for parasailing. So in the summer of '74 the "Waterbird" was born, the first ever purpose built parasail! That following year he founded "Waterbird Parakites" to market and produce his new invention.
The waterbird design and construction set the precedent for the parasail market as it exists today. Waterbird has remained a family tradition. In the early '90's Chris Abbot redesigned the original 16 panel parachute to be a more efficient, high lift, low drag canopy than the original that Brian Gaskin created for Chris's son, Lee at the early age of 2! Chris and Lee now opperate Custom Chutes Inc. in Bradenton, Florida and continue to improve this product today!
Florida seems to be the water sports mecca of the world, with water sports locations in almost every coastal town. Of all the coastal towns, Destin, Florida seems to be the mecca of water sports. Destin's location on the emerald coast, with it's beautiful waters makes it a tourist hot spot. That being said, there are many parasail companies that take advantage of uninformed tourists.
With beautiful beaches and perfect summer conditions, Destin is a perfect place to go parasail. The best place to parasail in Destin is Xtreme H2O Sports. Xtreme H2o Parasailing in Destin, Florida offers a brand new Parasail Boat - The SkyScraper. The Skyscraper has 4, brand new, different sizes of parasails to accommodate different weather conditions. The parasail Captain at Xtreme H2o Parasail has over 21 years of experience with a perfect safety record. When you are parasailing in Destin, soaring 500' above the water, you want an experienced captain! Xtreme h2o parasail also offers the most competitive parasail prices in Destin.
If you want a safe, fun, and memorable parasail adventure, head on over to http://www.xtremeh2o.net or http://www.destined2parasail.com . They are the most experienced, the friendliest and the safest parasail company in Destin, Florida. Head on over to their sites to check them out.
Brian knew he was onto something though and decided he needed a safer way for family and friends to enjoy the thrill of flight. He knew he had to redesign the parachute specifically for parasailing. So in the summer of '74 the "Waterbird" was born, the first ever purpose built parasail! That following year he founded "Waterbird Parakites" to market and produce his new invention.
The waterbird design and construction set the precedent for the parasail market as it exists today. Waterbird has remained a family tradition. In the early '90's Chris Abbot redesigned the original 16 panel parachute to be a more efficient, high lift, low drag canopy than the original that Brian Gaskin created for Chris's son, Lee at the early age of 2! Chris and Lee now opperate Custom Chutes Inc. in Bradenton, Florida and continue to improve this product today!
Florida seems to be the water sports mecca of the world, with water sports locations in almost every coastal town. Of all the coastal towns, Destin, Florida seems to be the mecca of water sports. Destin's location on the emerald coast, with it's beautiful waters makes it a tourist hot spot. That being said, there are many parasail companies that take advantage of uninformed tourists.
With beautiful beaches and perfect summer conditions, Destin is a perfect place to go parasail. The best place to parasail in Destin is Xtreme H2O Sports. Xtreme H2o Parasailing in Destin, Florida offers a brand new Parasail Boat - The SkyScraper. The Skyscraper has 4, brand new, different sizes of parasails to accommodate different weather conditions. The parasail Captain at Xtreme H2o Parasail has over 21 years of experience with a perfect safety record. When you are parasailing in Destin, soaring 500' above the water, you want an experienced captain! Xtreme h2o parasail also offers the most competitive parasail prices in Destin.
If you want a safe, fun, and memorable parasail adventure, head on over to http://www.xtremeh2o.net or http://www.destined2parasail.com . They are the most experienced, the friendliest and the safest parasail company in Destin, Florida. Head on over to their sites to check them out.
