Aside from exploring space, being able to fly is one of the greatest dreams of man. The unquenchable desire to soar with the wind is probably the reason why the Wright Brothers invented the plane. In recent years, many adventure sports, such as wind surfing and bungee jumping, are part of man's attempts to feel, even for just a few minutes, the freedom that flight brings.

If you have been dreaming of how it feels like to glide and fly, then parasailing is an option you can try. In this sport, you will be hooked to a parasail - a parachute that is specifically designed for this activity - that is connected to a towrope. You will eventually be lifted up into the sky by a speeding boat, in aquatic parasailing, or a jeep, in terrestrial parasailing, that is pulling the towrope that is attached to your parasail.

The three kinds of parasailing are: beach, winch boat and platform. The three are actually very similar to each other, except for the location where the rider or pilot takes offs and lands. In beach parasailing, as the name implies, you both land and takeoff manually on the beach. In winch boat parasailing, the most popular of the three, you will be towed and retrieved by the winch of the vessel.

Only few resorts in the US and across the globe offer platform parasailing because it is the least safe of the three types. However, if done by professionals and in appropriate conditions, this type can be exhilarating and fun. In this kind of parasailing, you lift off and land on a platform on the vast sea.

Important platform parasailing tips

The first consideration in this type of parasailing is the speed of the wind. The ideal is between 5 to 15 miles per hour. If the wind falls or exceeds this speed, you might be in grave danger.

Although platform parasailing is considered safe, accidents do happen and necessary precautions should be ensured. You must, at all times, wear a life vest and a helmet. You need to ascertain that these safety gadgets are approved and duly certified. You don't want to entrust your life to flimsy and substandard gears.

Before you are set aloft, you will be given some survival training. Listen intently and ask questions if there are things that you don't understand. For beginners, don't attempt the high winds immediately. Try experiencing the low winds first and eventually attempt at high winds when you have the hang of it.