Parasailing with kids offers an unmatched blend of excitement and adventure, making it a perfect family activity. However, children sometimes need a little extra encouragement and guidance from adults to fully enjoy the experience. At Okanagan Parasail, our aim is to make parasailing a thrilling and memorable activity for children, ensuring they feel safe and confident throughout the process.
This blog is designed to provide tips and information for first-time parasailers and their parents, helping to prepare you for a fantastic day on the water. Whether you’re a first-time parasailer or looking to introduce your kids to this exciting sport, here’s what you need to know to make your family parasailing adventure unforgettable!
Age and Weight Requirements
Who Can Parasail?
Parasailing is an exciting adventure that can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. At Okanagan Parasail, we welcome children as young as 4 to join in the fun. However, there are some important age and weight requirements to ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment.
Minimum Age: Children can start parasailing at the age of 4.
Weight Requirements: There is a minimum combined weight requirement of about 150 lbs. This means that for very small children, it’s encouraged for at least one adult to fly with two smaller children to meet this requirement.
Flying Solo: Teens aged 16 and older can fly alone. Younger teens can fly together, provided they meet the minimum weight requirements.
By adhering to these guidelines, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable parasailing experience for everyone involved.
The Parasailing Experience
What to Expect
The parasailing adventure begins with fitting you and your children with life jackets and specially-designed parasail harnesses.
Our crew will then take you and the group out on the boat and explain the take-off and landing process as well as safety and comfort tips.
You will then sit on the back of the boat and slowly take off, being lifted into the air by our winch system and parachute. The ride is gentle and smooth, offering breathtaking views from heights of up to 300 feet.
You’ll enjoy approximately 10 minutes in the air before gently descending back to the boat where you land gently in the standing position with assistance from the crew.
You can choose to get dipped in the water right before you land or stay completely dry if you choose.
The whole trip can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes on the boat, depending on how many other riders are on board.
Parental Responsibilities
Before your children can parasail, parents must sign a general liability waiver on behalf of their kids or teens under 19. The process is straightforward, and our staff will guide you through it. Parents can sign an online waiver through the link in the booking email before their kids parasail, or in-person at our kiosk. To ensure your children are well-prepared for the adventure, it’s helpful to talk to them about what to expect and reassure them about the safety measures in place.
Independence for Kids
One of the unique aspects of our parasailing experience is that parents are not required to be on the boat. Our experienced crew is trained to focus on every detail of your safety, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all participants, especially kids. We take pride in our reputation for being great with children and making them feel comfortable and excited about the adventure. This setup allows kids to feel a sense of achievement and independence, making the experience even more memorable.
Tips for First-Timers
What to Wear: Opt for bathing suits if you want to get wet, or comfortable clothes like shorts and T-shirts if you prefer to stay dry. Bring layers if it’s cooler. Shoes are removed on the dock or the boat before the flight. Sunglasses are ok to keep on, but hats may not stay on, so keep them safely on the boat.
What to Bring: A small bag with essentials can be stored on the boat whilst your kids parasail. Larger items like strollers can be stored at our kiosk.
Dealing with Nerves: If you or your children are nervous, talk to our crew. They are experienced in helping first-timers feel at ease. Sometimes adults are more nervous than the kids!
FAQs for Parents
Safety and Fear of Heights: Parasailing is a gentle and smooth experience, suitable even for those with a fear of heights.
Capturing the Moment: Consider one of our affordable photo and video packages to ensure you and your kids have memories to look back on.
Viewing Areas: The best viewing area for our parasailing adventures is from Waterfront Park, right next to our dock. You can typically see our red and white parasails soaring over the Okanagan, offering a great vantage point for some fantastic photos.
Parasailing with kids is a fantastic way to create unforgettable memories. By following these tips and understanding the process, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the whole family. We encourage you to try parasailing and discover the thrill of flying high above Kelowna with Okanagan Parasail.
Ready to book your parasailing adventure? Book online, or call us for more information or to make a reservation. We’re here to answer any questions and help you plan the perfect family outing.
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