by Dirk Leisure
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return”
Perspective is a hard thing to gain when your standing on it, but from high above the Vineyard beaches and waters you will see the beauty in a way you never knew existed and that will forever change the way you remember your visit to this wondrous island.
Parasailing may just be the best way to gain this perspective as you sail up as high as 600 feet above the Vineyard solo or tandem (and we are told triple may be coming soon), and experience these spectacular views of the island and even the mainland! This experience and many other watersports are all made possible by the long existing and uber experienced Captains and staff at Martha’s Vineyard Ocean Sports on the harbor in Oak Bluffs. Let’s face it, we all need the security of feeling safe when we try something new and it is immediately evident from the start of your adventure that MV Ocean Sports only uses the best equipment and keeps safety as a mantra above all else.
A major tourist draw, parasailing is popular amongst visitors who come in off of the ferry spotting the red white and blue sails. Contrary to popular belief, parasailing is neither scary nor at all dangerous. When asked whether there has ever been a parasailing incident Captain Mark Clarke responds that “I have never had an accident and I have flown well over 100,000 people.”
Clarke takes safety very seriously, he conducts routine engine room checks, replaces flight line as needed, buys new parachutes every 2 to 3 years and has different size parachutes for different wind conditions with zippers and clips that manage airflow to adjust to various wind conditions. Clarke believes that all Parasail accidents are a direct result of flying in winds over 24 mph and/or faulty equipment. And to further reassure his clients, Clarke mentioned that “I even went up myself and cut the line at about 600 feet and drifted slowly back down into the water.”
Mark Clarke, a Coast Guard Licensed Captain for over 30 years and the owner of MV Ocean Sports and is a veteran parasailer himself. Flying parachutes for sponsors such as Miller, Budweiser, WMVY Radio, Cool 102, Pixie 103 Clarke needs to and does have the requisite reputation required to fly for these clients. He has worked with the environmental police and Coast Guard from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to do a Parasail overview for safety.
Every summer Clarke and his team take kids and adults from Camp Jabberwocky out Parasailing and jet skiing. ”these kids and adults all suffer from Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. We lift them out of their wheelchairs and send them soaring through the air and zipping across the water on jet skis” states Clarke “It is an awesome experience for the participants and very rewarding for myself and my crew.” There is also an optional “foot dip” towards the end of the 10-15 minute flight time. “People ask us if they can get wet, so on the way down, we can dip their feet in the water a bit, maybe even all the way up to the waist if they request it” says Captain Clarke.
The landing can be achieved completely dry if requested as the parasail cord is reeled back in and the parasailers land gently back onto the boat. “I am afraid of heights” adds a first-time parasailer, “and I didn’t even think twice about it while I was drifting, the maximum of 500 feet, above the island” “I could see all of Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven!”. Clarke has flown kids from the age of 2 and up (when accompanied by a parent) and has even sent up thrill seekers past the age of 90.
Parasailing is an exhilarating and safe recreational activity for the whole family, and MV Ocean Sports is the right place to go for all of your parasailing and boating desires. Don’t leave the island without trying some of the other activities offered at MV Ocean Sports, including: fly boarding, jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, tubing and the immensely popular Fly Boarding (stay tuned to this paper for more on these).
With boat rentals, Banana Boat rides, and sunset cruises, MV Ocean sports has it all covered! So, taste the flight, gain perspective and forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have now been, and there you will always long to return.
Rates for 10-12 minute flight are:
• Single Flight: $145 per person
- Tandem Flight:$260 per tandem
- Observer:$25 per person
Try the Early Bird Special!
8am & 9am Flights Only
- Early Bird Single Flight:$120 per person
- Early Bird Tandem Flight:$220 per tandem
Flights are every hour with the duration on water of an hour. Don’t forget sunscreen!
MORE INFO
mvoceansports.com
You can Book online or call (508) 693-8476 for information and booking
