Parasailing is great fun and is available almost anywhere there is a beach with enterprising boatmen. A person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute (also known as a parasail). I first went airborne in Acapulco, 1961 and have taken several more “fliers” since then, both solo and tandem depending on where I parasailed. Most parasailing operations take off from a beach but one of our Caribbean experiences had tandem operations off the back of a boat. Jet skis took us from the beach to the boat where two of us were strapped into the harnesses and let out like kites into the air. The landing was super easy since the crew just reeled us in like a fish. The boat then drives off, carrying the parasailer into the air. If the boat is powerful enough, two or three people can parasail behind it at the same time. The parascender has little or no control over the parachute. With my 68th birthday only 10 days away, it was time to “fly” again. The Puerto Vallarta operator I chose had two parachutes going at all times. One in the air while the next person stood on the beach in life jacket and harness just waiting for the tow line to be attached as soon as the airborne parasailer landed. Strapped to the tow line, it’s two to three steps in the sand and up-up-and-away into the quiet, blue sky, soaring around Banderas Bay with spectacular views everywhere. The 10-minute flight literally “flew” by and it was time for one loud whistle from the operator on the sand below that meant pull down on one strap onlyto change the direction of the parachute towards the beach.

Sheila parasailing in Puerto Vallarta, MexicoTwo blasts from the whistle? Let go of that strap and gently and slowly descend for a standing landing on the beach. It couldn’t have been more fun or easier. Forget about age, physical fitness, or anything else. Take a “flyer.” Sing a few choruses of “…I believe I can fly…”while you’re up there and exult in a free-as-a-bird experience. The gospel from Sheila…anyone can do it!

And, so much fun!