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British family demand tougher restrictions on water sports in Mallorca
A father and son have been involved in a parasailing accident whilst on holiday in Port de Pollenca. Ian McCulloch, 39 and son Tom, 10, were enjoying a family day out on the beach, and had hired the boat for two tandem parasails. Shortly after being harnessed in, the pair were released off the back of the speedboat. Ian’s wife Josie was filming the event when she heard the rope snap. With no back-up rope, both and fell in to the water from 100 feet in the air.
Luckily both escaped without injury. Whilst the family knew the risks involved before signing up for the activity, they felt that the people running it were too blase about the whole event. The family are now demanding tighter restrictions should be put in place for water sports on the island.
Whilst boats are required to have a fully qualified captain, the parasailing industry is self-regulating. Visitors wishing to take a parasailing trip should ensure that the boat they take has a Spanish licence (Formation basica), a first aider, and comprehensive insurance (read the release form carefully!). Ensure you have a good safety briefing before you take off, and inspect the equipment as you prepare for the parasail. The harness and ropes should be thoroughly cleaned with fresh water everyday as the combination of salt water and sunshine can weaken the materials. The rope should be able to take 10,000 pounds of pressure - with a typical pull only creating around 800 pounds, the vast majority of parasails should go very smoothly.
