PARASAILING
 

In addition to Paragliding, Powered Paragliding and Sandkites, we are now pleased to offer
PARASAILS

In order to distinguish the difference please note the following:
Parasails are used behind a boat. Paragliders are launched off a slope and Powered Paragliders may be launched from a flat surface in a few steps.

For those of you who can't bring yourselves to jump from an aeroplane with a parachute still folded up on your back, the sport of parasailing is the answer.

Exhilarating, yet tranquil is the paradox world of ascending canopies, or what is more commonly refered to as parasailing. Your pulse quickens...one...two...three...four...five steps and suddenly your feet leave the ground. Heart in mouth, you gradually become aware of a new perspective of your surroundings - bird's eye view, looking down at things you normally look up to. You experience a new sense of freedom, of practically floating on air. Then you level off.

Your heart stops thumping and you can enjoy the peacefulness of your new environment. It's quiet up there, with just the occasioanal soft rustle of wind whoosing over the chute, and the soft purr of the power boat on the water below you.

Today, parasailing is a rapidly growing sport, especially in countries like the USA and South Africa, where water sports of all kinds are so popular. But despite an excellent safety record, many novices still have inhibitions about climbing into a harness and shooting for the clouds. Thoughts of snapping ropes, of falling or being dragged across the ground often flash through the beginner's mind. But once the procedure has been properly demonstrated, such fears are usually laid to rest.

The important point to remember about parasailing is that it is not a one-man-act. It requires teamwork, in addition to the boat driver and observer, the flyer needs to be assisted by a ground crew of three people.

Parasailing is a ew dimension in pleasure boating, a unique blend of tranquility and excitement that more people are wanting to experience. It is great fun for anyone in the family and very safe because of the advances in design and construction. For those of you who have not yet tried the sport - the theory goes something like this:

The first thing to determine is the wind speed. If it is blowing in excess of 20kph, you should not attempt to fly. This could be checked with the windmeter, or you could try this simple method: have someone who weighs about 80kgs hold onto the harness while two others lift the chute into the wind. If when the chute is fully ballooned with air, the person holding the harness is pulled forward and has to walk with the chute, it's too windy. Then the two ground crew pull the chute down to collapse it, and then it's best to lie in the sun and wait for better conditions.

When conditions do permit flying, determine which way the wind is blowing and arrange to takeoff directly into the wind. You get into the harness while two of the ground crew hold the chute flat to the ground. The third crewman is the 'flight signals' for the boat to take up the slack and once you are strapped in, he attaches the boat's towline to the yoke of the parasail, and, holding the rope signals for the boat to take up the slack. as the line becomes taut, lean slightly backwards to resist the pull of the boat. The 2 ground crew on each side of the chute raise the front edge to inflate it and then the 'flight controller' signals for the boat to accelerate. as it does, he releases the line and moves quickly to one side: the crew move forward with you until the chute opens at which time they release both sides simultaneouly. You continue to move forward at a rate that keeps tension on the line and suddenly you will be flying! Off for the ride of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to stay up there forever as someone else will be clamouring for a ride. When it's time to land, it's generally best to do so in the water. To do this, the driver simply cuts the throttle, and you drift gently into the water.

The 'free-fall' with an ascending canopy is a rate of approximately 1.5 metres per second. A regular descending parachute as used in jumping from aeroplanes has a rate of approximately 3.65 metres per second which is why parachutists generally roll when they land.

It is best to use only top quality parasails and to deal with only reputable dealers. The Parasail has been designed specifically for a fast ascent and slow descent, and maximum stability without sacrificing any manoeuvrebility. It offers unsurpassed quality in its construction and materials, which continue to offer years of enjoyment. All the suspension lines are military spec nylon. Even the thread used is made up to military specification.

There is a special body harness which the flyer sits in, which we now export to the USA.

Each parasail comes complete with everything you need for immediate takeoff including the tow-rope, video on parasailing, carry bag and there is a detailed owner's manual.

So what are you waiting for? Get gently lifted in the air and sit in comfort as the scenery glides by, or, try a fast spectacular ascent. It can be more exciting than a fairground ride - the thrill factor is up to you!


Now you can get an eagle's eye view of the clouds with South Africa's finest ascending parasail from SkyTribe.

The Parasail had been designed specifically for South Africa with a fast ascent and slow descent with maximum stability. Each parasail is quality constructed of the finest materials using the very best methods of workmanship to provide you with years of flying enjoyment.

Parasailing is a thrilling adventure for persons of all ages to enjoy. Due to its inherent stability the Parasail is safe for virtually everyone to use, yet it can be flown in a very exciting manner by the more experienced.

Each Parasail comes complete with everything you need for immediate takeoff. Just connect to your boat, take a few steps and you're flying! Parasail is designed with a special body harness which the flyer sits in. The harness is designed for the ultimate in comfort and allows freedom of movement for operational manoeuvres.

Get gently lifted into the air and sit in comfort as the scenery glides by you or you can try a fast and spectacular ascent followed by a gentle descent. The thrill factor is up to you.

Virtually any boat capable of pulling a slalom water skier can propel a Parasail and flyer gracefully through the air.


Specifications:
CANOPY
24 foot diameter. Constructed of 15 ounce ripstop nylon (70 Denier). 16 gores with 70 subpanels. Fell seams sewn with mil-spec nylon thread and reinforced with mil-spec nylon seam tape (90 kg tensile). 9 drove slots in rear canopy with 6 turn slots in sides of canopy.

LINES
16 independent type III mil-spec nylon suspension lines (250 kgs tensile) with two coloured mil-spec nylon cord.

RISERS
Constructed of type 7 mil-spec nylon webbing (2500 kgs tensile) and type 9 (4000 kgs tensile) mil-spec nylon webbing. Sewn with mil-spec nylon cord.

HARDWARE
Mil-spec steel forging, cadmium plated. Tensile strength of 2 250 kgs per forging.

TOW ROPE
Half inch diameter triple twist polypropylene with tensile of 1450 kgs.

Parasails 24' Parasails 28'
for up to 100kg on coast
90 kgs at altitude
for heavier pilots & tandem
Engine size min 115HP at altitude
min 90 HP on coast
HP 115 on coast
HP 150 at altitude

PARASAIL EQUIPMENT

24' Deluxe Paraflight parasail
24' Deluxe Paraflight parasail
All parasails come complete with carry bag, approx. 50 metre tow rope, body harness, parasail tow bridle, instruction manual and video on parasiling.
DEALERS WELCOME

Accessories
Parasail Tow Bridle
Parasail Body Harness
Parasail Tow Rope 50 metre
Video on Parasailing

PRICES
Pricing depends on the exchange rate but typically a 28 foot (which is used for single flying or light tandem) with harness and rope is around the R16500 mark. We can however obtain cheaper ones for around the R9000 but we have found they do not last as long.

If you are not averse to a bit of branding around the side (skytribe.co.za) then we can drop that prices right down to around our cost at 1550US excl the rope which we will purchase here and which is about R380 excl transport to you but incl the harness and transport..We will have it sent directly to your nearest main airport where you will pay the vat and clear it.

The 28 foot is the most common as it can be used for single flying and light tandem thus it has a duel purpose. used however we do also bring in right up to 38 foot (which are more expensive).

JACO OBERHOLZER

Here are some pics of our latest trip to Mozambique, just North of South Africa up the East coast.

We were at Linga Linga resort in Mozambique, just north of Inhambane, up the East African coast. Normally there are not really waves as this area and it is protected by extensive sand banks. This area is ideal for this kind of watersport, although at times it was a bit difficult because at times with take-off, we had the wind from behind. We had our boat the entire time in the sea, although the boat is only a semi "wetdeck", with no problems. The boat is a Seadoo Challenger 2000 with a 240HP inboard jet motor.

My daughters are Bianca (12) and Marcelle (9) Oberholzer shown in some of the photos and we pulled them up really easy on the same chute. All in all a lot of fun!!

www.skytribe.co.za

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