| Pierre Lamoigne couldn't have known that he | | | | |
| was making aviation sport history when in the | | | | The Pioneer Parachute Company started making |
| early 1960's he attached a parachute to his | | | | parachutes under the protected name of |
| moving car and invented parasailing. Lamoigne | | | | "Parasail" back in the 1960s after Lamoigne's |
| was a parachute teacher, and the easiest | | | | first successes. Parasailing historically has |
| method then to teach the use of a parachute | | | | enjoyed most of its popularity as an air and |
| was to raise the "pilot" into the air to a | | | | water sport, but there are now land-based |
| certain height and then untie the parachute | | | | parasailing competitions that are especially |
| to let the pilot float free. People often | | | | popular in Northern Europe and Finland. |
| confuse this method called parascending with | | | | History was made again with the first |
| hang gliding. But when Lamoigne did not | | | | international competitions being held in |
| release the parachute and pulled the pilot | | | | 2004. |
| along in the air behind in a high-speed | | | | |
| vehicle, parasailing truly began. | | | | Parasailing does not have to rely on |
| | | | competitions to be a popular sport. History |
| Higher standards for parasailing were set in | | | | shows that the thrill and excitement of being |
| the 1970s when a man named Mark McCulloh made | | | | airborne has made the sport of parasailing |
| history by using the parachutes at sea. He | | | | very popular with families. But caution and |
| started first by raising parachutes from the | | | | good judgment should always be used, |
| shore but then went on to design a motorized | | | | especially with the equipment and weather |
| platform, then a boat to pull the parachute | | | | conditions for flying. Everyone should get |
| back to the ship. These days there is even a | | | | training from a certified parasailing |
| specially designed ship with a built-in | | | | instructor before attempting a first flight. |
| platform for take off and landing. | | | | |