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POLICIES

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Downwind Sails Watersport activities are weather-sensitive and we strive to update you as soon as possible if there are any changes to your scheduled parasail reservation. Please be aware that conditions on the water can change very quickly.  If weather conditions affect our ability to conduct activities safely, we will notify you as soon as possible to reschedule your trip with us.  Upon purchasing your tickets online, please enter the best phone number to reach you if needed.

Parasail Reservations

The fastest and easiest way to parasail with us is by booking online ahead of time.  We also secure reservations over the phone as well as accept walk-ups when spots are available.

Please note that reservations DO NOT guarantee an exact start time. Our parasail trips can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the wind, weather, and many other conditional factors.

Refund Policies

If the weather doesn’t cooperate with us and you aren’t able to reschedule, the tickets are 100% REFUNDABLE. Weather-related cancellations are determined by our USCG licensed captains.

We require a 24-hour notice of cancellation for a FULL refund. You can make this request via phone or email. Please note that we may not be able to refund any 3rd party booking fees.

Same day cancellations for regular tickets are entitled to a 50% Refund.

It can take anywhere from 3-7 business days for funds to be credited back to you, from the time we initiate the refund.

Downwind Sails Watersport Policies

WEATHER: Wind and water conditions directly affect ALL of our water sports activities. Our ability to safely parasail, conduct banana boat or sailboat rides, or rent out jet skis depends on numerous factors of weather, wind, and water conditions.  We take pride in the professional opinions of our experienced staff and USCG Certified Captains.  Remember, it’s always the “Captain’s Call” on determining if weather and water conditions fall by our safety standards.

AGE REQUIREMENTS: Children under the age of 18 MUST have a parent or legal guardian sign a waiver for them to be allowed to participate in any watersport activity. There is no minimum age to participate, only a height requirement of 42 inches tall.

PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS: If you are PREGNANT, have a HEART CONDITION, BAD BACK, NECK, HIP, KNEE, or any other physical ailments that will be aggravated by any of our extreme activities on the ocean, you may not be permitted to participate. In the name of safety for you, other participants, and our crew, Downwind Sails staff and captains reserve the right to determine if an individual is fit to participate in any water sports activity. We want everybody to have the best experience possible with us. We ask that you first evaluate your physical and health conditions, and please do not hesitate to call with any questions concerning your safety.

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Maximum weight for an individual is around 250 lbs. This varies depending on the activity of your choice, as well as the conditions the day of.  Safety is our number one priority and life jackets are required for all of our activities, so the PFD and safety harnesses must fit you properly.

In regards to parasailing, it is the “Captain’s Call.” We always do our best to accommodate your request on how and who you fly with. The parasail requires a certain amount of weight to perform a safe flight. The weight parameters may change at the time of your ride due to changing wind and ocean conditions. Parasailing is a dynamic activity. For this reason, small children or lighter passengers may have to fly with an adult or larger passenger. The minimum weight for a parasail flight is 180lbs. (81kg). The maximum weight is 450lbs (204kg), this would be the maximum combined weight for 2 or 3 people flying together. Again, these parameters may change at the time of the ride.

SCHEDULE:

Downwind Sails works hard to stay on schedule.

  1. Please take the time to plan how you are going to get to our location. Traffic, navigating, and parking can be your biggest challenge, leave yourself plenty of time to get to us. Please read your confirmation email, it has direction and location specifics. Do not rely on Google. We ask that you show up 20 minutes early.
  2. Parasailing is a weather-sensitive activity, because of this, our schedule may change. Understand these changes are for your safety and to promote you have a great parasailing experience. We know your time is valuable, but please consider flexibility with your schedule as this activity is not always concrete.

Transportation to the Parasail Boat: We use a large, custom shuttle to transport you from the beach to the parasail boat. Our parasail shuttle is similar to a banana boat. This can be a bumpy or smooth ride, depending upon the ocean’s conditions. The shuttle will pull up right beside the parasail boat, where you will have to pull yourself up onto the boat.  Please keep in mind there is no ladder and it does require some physical capability and strength to safely and smoothly make the transition from the shuttle to the parasail boat.)

FLIGHT TIME: The whole activity can take 30 minutes to 1 hour if you are on a full trip. Our trips are made up of a group of 6 passengers maximum. Parasail flight times are as follows: Flight time for flyers is approx. 8-10 minutes.

OBSERVERS: Observers are only taken if there are open seats for that trip. They are taken on a first come first serve basis. If you want a guaranteed spot as an observer, the fee is the same cost as a flyer, $89 per person. Please note that even as an observer, you are not permitted to take any cameras or electronics to the boat.  The same physical restrictions apply equally to observers as to passengers.

Other Things to Know

We have two locations within the city limits of Myrtle Beach.

Our 29th Ave location is located in between the Crown Reef Resort and Damon’s Oceanfront Dining. Please note that this location is not directly at the 29th Ave S public beach access. There is FREE parking available in Damon’s parking lot.

Our 3rd Ave location is located physically on the beach behind Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Walk down through the 3rd Ave S public beach access, hang a right, and you will see the yellow Downwind Sails flag and the booth. There is LIMITED FREE parking available at this location, under the Downwind Sails sign.

Any personal belongings can be kept in our booth or on the beach. However, we recommend that you lock your belongings in your car or hotel room, if available.

Electronic equipment, such as cell phones, cameras, GoPros, etc. are NOT PERMITTED on the boat or while you are parasailing.

Plan on getting wet. If ocean conditions are calm you will be getting your feet wet. If ocean conditions are rough, more than your feet will be getting wet. In general, it is just a momentary splash of water.

Photo Package

Downwind Sails’ first mates take pride in capturing your parasail experience on camera. They snap about 40 pictures and you get to take home the SD memory card with all of the pictures. Some of the best photos are when you are just leaving the boat and ascending into the air, coming in for a dip in the water, and landing back on the boat.  Keep in mind, that your safety and the memories you create at Downwind Sails are both valuable to us, but safety is number one.

Special Needs

The beauty of parasailing is given the right conditions, it is an activity that almost everybody can experience. There is no steering, no driving, no swimming. You are just along for the ride. That being said, if you or a friend or family member has a disability and wants to participate in an activity with us, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send an email. We would love to show you an experience of a lifetime and promise to do our best to accommodate everyone.