FAQs

We have been asked many questions about parasailing in Fort Lauderdale over the past 30 years we have been in business.

Here are some of the most frequently asked.

1. Do you take pictures of our experience?
   Yes. We offer a digital package on board. The digital camera is 12 mega pixels utilizing a 300mm zoom lens, with approximately 15 photos. That service is $30 and you are given the SD card to take with you for development.
   
2. Where do we buy logowear?
   We sell logowear out on the boats and at our beach shacks, our catalog is also available 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. How do we get into and out of the air?
   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 life jacket.
   
5. Can people go on the boat and watch?
   Yes. The cost for non-flying observers is $30. There is a maximum of 12 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!
   
6. Is there an age requirement?
   Aloha Watersports 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. 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..
   
8. 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 life jackets while parasailing. Anyone can fly—including the young, old, and physically challenged.
   
9. 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.
   
10. Do we run on the beach like in Mexico?
    No. Here in Fort Lauderdale, all parasail takeoffs and landings are hydraulically controlled from the back of the boat.
11. What happens if the line breaks?
    The line is designed to withstand 10,000 pounds of pressure. The average parasail ride only produces 800 pounds. It is very uncommon for the line to break, but if it does, you are never in any danger. If the line should break, the parachute will slowly and gently bring the parasailers to the water. The parachute is designed to land in the water behind the parasailers, never on top of them. Your life jackets will allow you to comfortably float as the boat will immediately pick you back up.
12. How do we get into and out of the air?
    Our brand new custom built parasail boats will allow a smooth and easy takeoff and landing. Each parasailer, or tandem, will slowly lift off the back of the boat from the sitting position with ease, as you enjoy the ride in a comfortable swing-like harness. Each parasailer, or tandem, will softly land on the back of the boat in the sitting position. A dip in the water is optional, and recommended, but you will always take off and land from the boat.
13. Is there a price difference if one, two or three people fly together?
    The prices are all per person. Whether you fly with someone, or alone, the prices are per person. We always do our best to accommodate your requests; however, safety is our number one priority. Under 3 must stay on shore, along with pregnant women and individuals with back or neck problems or individuals with heart conditions or surgery.
14. Can people go on the boat and watch?
    Yes. The cost for non-flying observers is $25. However, we do not accept reservations for observers. Parasailers always have first priority. At the time of departure, if there is room available, we allow a limited number of observers due to the United States Coast Guard regulations.
15. 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 life jackets while parasailing. Anyone can fly—including the young, old, and someone with special needs. We are happy to safely accommodate everyone.
16. Is there an age requirement?
    No, though participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their liability waiver prior to boarding the vessel. Minimum weight required to parasail is roughly 100 pounds. If the flyer is less than 100 pounds, they will simply fly tandem with someone not to exceed roughly 425 pounds combined weight. Weight requirements may change on any given day due to the wind conditions. Again, safety is number one.
17. Are there any weight restrictions?
    Minimum weight to fly alone is roughly 100 lbs; Not exceeding roughly 425 lbs in tandem. (The captain may change these safety restrictions due to weather conditions.)
18. Do we run on the beach like in Mexico?
    No. Forget any crazy stories you may have heard. State of the art winch boat technology allows all takeoffs and landings to be hydraulically controlled, taking place from the back of the boat. Our parasail boats are United States Coast Guard inspected, and custom built specifically for parasailing.
19. What happens if the boat stops suddenly?
    Our vessels and equipment is inspected daily, and kept to very specific mechanical standards. In the unlikely event of a mechanical malfunction the participants are gently lowered into the water (life jackets are mandatory) and retrieved by another vessel in our fleet immediately. Again, you are never in any danger, worst case scenario you get wet!
20. Do I ever touch the water?
    The entire experience can be completely dry. If requested, we will provide a "dip" in which we simply lower the parachute toward the water, which allows you to have your feet or bottom touch the water. You will then be lifted back up and continue the ride as usual. This is definitely recommended.