Monday, March 2, 2009

Look Out Below!

Hoo boy, I'm tired today. My brother arrived on Saturday and it's been non-stop visiting since then. That mostly includes walking in circles around town, eating, and going to the beach, but when I'm used to sitting in front of the computer most of the day, it wears me out!

Yesterday we went to Playa La Ropa, which is the nicest beach on Zihuatanejo Bay. I went for a walk and when I returned, my dad and brother were talking about a rope that must have broke, or something like that. When I questioned them they told me a parasailer had plummeted into the ocean. Now, they wear life jackets for this very reason, but hello, scary!

It turns out I walked right by where it happened. I had noticed the boat driving very fast along the shore and thought it was odd that it wasn't towing anyone, and apparently that's when they were trying to fish the guy out of the water. The man who fell was with a family that was sitting ten feet away from us, so we were able to ask if he was okay. He looked pretty shaken up, but didn't seem injured. He said something about the air leaving the parachute and that's when he dropped, ruining his camera in the process.

There was a big "beach boy" pow-wow while all the guys who rent water activities talked about what happened, and the man got his money back. I stopped watching them after that, but within half an hour they sent up a man with his nine-year-old son. Well, last night we were telling someone about the man who fell, and he said "yeah, with his son!" Can you believe the very next people who went up also fell?

My dad, the boat captain, thinks the engine stalled because that's the only thing that would cause the air flow to stop and make the parachute collapse. I really hope they get it fixed and don't just assume the next wave of tourists won't know what happened.

Have you ever gone parasailing? Is it something you'd like to do?

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An interesting side note: my posts last week about the violence here have made me a little famous. I've had several emails from people preparing for a vacation here and they've written asking specifics about the situation here. I'm happy to answer your questions!

19 comments:

Jewel Allen said...

I've never gone parasailing, but it looks like it'd be a RUSH.

Unknown said...

I am planning to go to Zihua on 3-24 for a week. I am apprehensive about going given recent events. I am not too computer savy. How do I E-mail you with specific questions? I check your site often each day for news.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Pink, especially if you fall 100 feet! Gah!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Hi coyote! If you click my profile thing under my picture on the main page, it will lead you to my email.

Also, the site zihuatanejo.net has a very active message board with quite a lot of information. :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

I don't know if I have enough guts to parasail - especially after hearing about what could happen! Sheesh.

Yay! Melanie's famous!

JLC said...

Its nice that you are helping others with their questions. :)

We have a city near us that is known as the wind surfing capital in the US. Its on the Columbia river and the winds rush through the river valley (gorge) at high speeds. I prefer to sit in one of the breweries, drink a beer, and watch the acrobatics. This camper/hiker likes to keep her feet on the ground.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to parasail but my fear of getting my camera wet has prevented me from doing so... (that assumes I'd get dunked in the water as happened at La Ropa).

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna, you and me both. I need to be in control of my excitement. Putting my life in the hands of guys who got enough money together to buy a sail is not my idea of a good time!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, I would enjoy that too. (watching!)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Mom, I thought you'd done it before. Gary said he had and since he's the one who doesn't like heights I assumed you both went.

Robin said...

I haven't done it, but my kids have. They said it was one of the most fun things they've ever done. Bet they wouldn't have said that if they had gone plummeting into the ocean!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, the man's two teenage daughters went before him, and I bet he was glad (for their sakes) that it happened to him and not them. Word on the street was the second man to drop fell pretty close to some rocks - scary!

Unknown said...

There is no way you would ever get me up parasailing especially in some country where as you said they find a boat, buy a sail and lifejacket and are in business!! Eeek! Jody considered going years ago when we were in Mazatlan but after watching them bring people in and landing them very close to a new building that has hundreds of pieces of rebar sticking out of it, he decided he didn't want to become a human toothpick! My friend Emma however did parasail from La Ropa a few years ago and had a great time.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Mary, they certainly LOOK like they're having fun, but we just don't trust these guys. Excellent point about the rebar - I can't imagine why Jody didn't want to go, lol.

Nadine said...

I went parasailing in Mexico when I was about 8 years old. The guy that went after me fell, but he landed in only about 4 inches of water. More than 20 years later and I still remember the visual.

When we saw his family later, he had broken both legs and had a neckbrace on. Not exactly a vacation!

They have it here and I am tempted to go, especially as you go up from the boat and return to the boat. When I went in Mexico, it was from the beach, return to the beach.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, my jaw dropped when I read that. OMG! We were actually saying that the guy was lucky he landed in deep enough water. How awful!

My sister went parasailing in Florida and she said they launched you from a boat. That seems a little less scary.

Anonymous said...

I went parasailing once in South Carolina. I launched from the boat and returned to the boat. It was so much fun! It was a nice, smooth ride, and the view from up there is incredible. I'm afraid of heights, but for some reason I felt safe being over water. After reading these stories, now I'm not so sure.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Pam, I think the odds of anything happening are slim, and since you had a great time you don't need to try again! Or at least that's how I would look at it. ;)

colbymarshall said...

WE WANT MELANIE BACK IN THE US! NOW!!!! :-)