We have been asked many questions about parasailing in Hawaii
over the past 20 years we have been in business.
Here are some of the most frequently asked.
1. If the line breaks, do we fly into outer space?
No. The line is designed to withstand 10,000 pounds of pressure. The average pull is only 800 pounds.
2. How do we get into and out of the air?
With the PREMIUM PARASAIL BOAT SYSTEM, the participants are winched on and off the boat hydraulically for safe, dry takeoffs and landings. In the unlikely event of boat malfunction, the parasailors slowly drift down to the water wearing a lifejacket.
3. Is there a price difference if one, two, or three people fly together?
Prices are per person whether flying alone, tandem, or triple. The minimum weight to fly alone is 130 pounds. Maximum weight for tandems and triples is 450 pounds..
4. Can people go on the boat and watch?
Yes. The cost for non-flying observers is $30. There is a maximum of 6 passengers per boat including flyers and non-flyers. We usually allow only as many observers as flyers. Upgrades are available with payment on board should an observer change his/her mind and decide to parasail!
5. Do we have to be able to swim?
No. All takeoffs and landings are done from the back of the boat. In the unlikely event of a mechanical malfunction all participants are required to wear lifejackets while parasailing. Anyone can fly—including the young, old, and physically challenged.
6. Is there an age requirement?
UFO Parasail has always been proud to be a family oriented activity. Effective July 3, 2008, children have to be at least 6 years old in order to parasail. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 must be accompanied on board by an adult, parent, or guardian, either as a paying observer or flyer. However we still do take children 3 and up on board as observers at the standard observer price of $30. This means that children younger than 3 will have to remain on land, along with pregnant women, and those individuals with back or neck problems, or individuals who have had previous back or neck surgery.
All minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign consent forms at check-in for this activity.
7. Are there any weight restrictions:
Minimum weight to fly alone is 130 pounds. Maximum weight for tandems or triples is 450 pounds. The captain can increase or decrease these limits at their sole discretion based on safety, wind and sea conditions.
8. Do we run on the beach like in Mexico?
No. Here in Hawaii, all parasail takeoffs and landings are hydraulically controlled from the back of the boat.
9. Where do we buy logowear?
We sell logowear out on the boats or online. We offer long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts, baseball caps and visors, women’s tops and sunglasses holders. Prices are available on board.
10. Do you take pictures of our experience?
Yes. We offer 2 photo packages on board, 35mm and digital. The 35mm service includes a roll of 12 photos utilizing a 300mm zoom lens. The cost is $20, and you are given the roll of film for development. The digital camera is 12 mega pixels also utilizing a 300mm zoom lens, with approximately 18 photos. That service is $30 and you are given the SD card to take with you for development.
11. Where do we buy the equipment to run our Hawaii parasail business?
From PREMIUM BOAT COMPANY, INC.
12. What do you do if you see a whale?
As part of our effort to minimize our operations impact on the seasonal whale migration (Jan- March) we actively avoid whale encounters. In the event of a whale initiated close encounter we will follow all protocols provided in the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
13. What happens if the boat stops suddenly?
In the unlikely event of a mechanical malfunction the participants are gently lowered into the water (lifejackets are mandatory) and retrieved by another vessel in our fleet.
14. Do I ever touch the water?
We do dry take-off and landings, however you may get dipped and get your feet wet by your request only. Dipping is at the sole discretion of captain for safety based on wind and sea conditions. The 800 foot deluxe ride does include an optional simulated free fall where the boat speed is decreased so the participant can experience a parachute descent similar to jumping from a plane but stops short of contact with the water.
15. Is it very windy when I am flying?
Certain characteristics of the Hawaiian Island topography provide for alternative locations to parasail if the winds are too gusty at the Kaanapali location. Our ?go or no go? decision to operate is based solely on safety.
16. Do you parasail all year-round?
We operate seasonally on Maui and are open from May 16th through December 14th.
We operate all year-round in Kona on the Big Island.