The Sky’s The Limit: A Brief History of Parasailing

Have you ever soared above the waves, feeling the wind in your hair and the thrill of flying high above the shoreline? If you have, then you know the pure joy of parasailing—a recreational activity that blends the serenity of sailing with the exhilaration of flight. But did you know that parasailing has its roots in military operations? That’s right, the pastime that has you floating above the beach in Orange Beach, Alabama, started with some serious military gear. Let’s take a fun dive into the history of parasailing, from its high-flying beginnings to the modern thrill we all know and love.

The story of parasailing begins in the early 1960s, when a French engineer named Pierre-Marcel Lemoigne made an innovative tweak to military paratrooper equipment. The military was already using parachutes to drop soldiers safely from airplanes, but Lemoigne saw the promise in a parachute that could also provide lift. He developed the “ascending-gliding parachute” in 1962.

Lemoigne’s parasail was initially used for training paratroopers. The idea was to give soldiers a sense of what it would be like to parachute out of a plane without the need for an actual airplane. By being towed behind a car or boat, the trainees could simulate the experience of freefall and flight in a controlled environment. Little did anyone know that this military tool would soon find a new life in the world of recreation.

In the late 1960’s, recreational parasailing began to take high-traffic beach areas by storm. In those early days, beach parasailing involved being strapped to a harness and lifted off the sand by ropes attached to a tow boat. Landing was even more risky, as parasailers had to use riser lines to position themselves back over the beach.

In 1971, a man named Mark McCulloh introduced the first stationary platforms for parasailing launches and retrievals that were anchored offshore and away from the beach and boat traffic. 2 years later, in 1973, McCulloh developed the first winch-boat – a vessel equipped with a winch to control the parasail line, making the experience safer and more accessible for the general public.

Beachgoers quickly caught on, and parasailing evolved from a niche activity to a popular seaside attraction. It wasn’t long before parasailing spread to other sunny destinations, with Orange Beach becoming one of the prime spots to catch some air.

As parasailing grew in popularity, so did the innovations in equipment and safety. Modern parasailing has come a long way from its military roots. Today’s parasailers enjoy lightweight harnesses, high-tech parachutes, and specialized boats that make the experience smoother and more exhilarating than ever before.

Parasail Sky Surfer was founded as part of Perdido Beach Services, a full-service amenity and activity agency developed by Ted Scarritt in 1984. Our expert crew and advanced parasailing equipment provide thrilling tours to locals and vacationers along the Alabama Gulf Coast from our USCG-Inspected vessel. The view from above is unmatched—gliding over the sparkling Gulf waters, spotting dolphins, and taking in the breathtaking coastline from hundreds of feet in the air. It’s a bird’s-eye view that keeps thrill-seekers coming back for more.

From its humble beginnings as a tool for paratroopers to the beachside thrill ride it is today, parasailing has always been about one thing: the joy of flight.

Are you ready to take to the skies? Because at Parasail Sky Surfer, we’re all about making those high-flying dreams come true. Come fly with us and experience the ultimate parasailing adventure in Orange Beach!