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What is the history behind parasailing? Who introduced it to the world?

Lary Zanneli

Parasailing, also known as parascending or parakiting, is a thrilling adventure sport that has gained immense popularity among water sports enthusiasts over the years. The sport involves a person being towed behind a boat while being attached to a specially designed canopy wing known as a parasail wing. As the boat speeds off, the parasail wing lifts the person in the air, allowing them to float effortlessly while admiring the scenic view below.

The history of parasailing can be traced back to the early 1960s when a Frenchman named Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne first came up with the concept of parascending. Lemoigne, an aeronautical engineer, developed a canopy wing that could be towed by a boat and lift a person in the air. Initially, the concept was used for military purposes, such as lifting equipment and supplies onto oil rigs and ships.

However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the concept gained popularity as a recreational activity and was introduced as a commercial adventure sport in the United States. In 1974, Mark McCulloh and Lee Childers founded Water Sports Hawaii, one of the first commercial parasailing facilities, on the island of Maui. From there, the activity quickly spread to other coastal regions of the United States and around the world.

In 1976, Walter Lowe, a California-based water skier, invented a winch boat system that allowed parasailors to take off and land on a boat rather than on the shore. This innovation made parasailing safer and more accessible, and it became the standard method of operation for parasailing operators around the world.

Since then, parasailing has evolved into a well-regulated and safe adventure sport. Today, parasailing is enjoyed by people of all ages and is available at many beach resorts and water sports centers around the world.

In conclusion, parasailing is a thrilling adventure sport that has come a long way since its inception in the early 1960s. The sport owes its origins to Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne, a French aeronautical engineer, who first developed the concept of parascending. Today, parasailing is a popular activity enjoyed by millions of people around the world, thanks to the hard work and innovation of many pioneers in the field.