New Zealand Parasail Association

Rules and Standards (Revised March 2010) 


NZPA-01. CREW CERTIFICATION / STANDARDS. A Minimum of two experienced crew members shall be onboard at all times during the operation of any parasailing boat watercraft. 

THE SKIPPER SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1000 FLIGHTS LOGGED OPERATING EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST MATE SHALL HAVE 24 HOURS LOGGED OPERATING EXPERIENCE. Both skipper and crew shall have passed a training course offered by a qualified instructor designated by the NZPA. 

The Following applies to skippers 

Current LLO or equivalent 
Current First Aid Certificate 
Completed first mate training with certified parasailing skipper 
Demonstrate prolific understanding of various parasailing techniques, emergency procedures, preventative maintenance of vessels machinery and parasailing equipment. Skipper to be signed off by a member of the NZPA 
A Basic wind study and map of the area with the main winds and hazards of the area clearly shown and signed off by NZPA 
A case study of two different accidents involving death around the world. These discussed and signed off by NZPA 

Once all of the above has been achieved and documented a Parasailing endorsement should be granted and signed off by the NZPA. 

NZPA-02. DAILY EQUIPMENT INSPECTION. It shall be the Skippers responsibility for the daily inspection and maintenance of the parasail boat, parasail canopy, parasail harnesses, towline and related equipment to make certain they are properly maintained and in safe operating condition. 

NZPA-03. PASSENGER SAFETY BRIEFING. It shall be the Crew’s responsibility to provide passengers with a safety briefing before leaving the dock and/or before the parasail activity commences. This safety briefing should include; a) a description of the activity itself b). proper take off and landing procedures; c) safety precautions while underway d). procedure in the event of an unexpected emergency. 

NZPA-04. WATER LANDING AWARENESS. Operators providing parasail rides shall provide details of a water landing scenario. This briefing should include; a) basic description of the parasail canopy and its position shall a water landing occur b) Awareness of flotation device fitted to each passenger. c) reassurance to remain calm while in the water. d) recovery plan. 

NZPA-05. PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER EVALUATION. It will be the Skippers responsibility to evaluate and determined if weather conditions are favourable for parasailing. No operator shall knowingly parasail in restricted visibility where site of the canopy is lost. 

NZPA-06. WEATHER MONITORING. Operators shall at all times monitor all available weather channels in and around the area where parasailing operations are conducted by any electronic device, including but not limited to marine radio, cell phones and television. 

NZPA-07. OPERATING SEA CONDITIONS. Parasail boats under 28' feet in length/ 8 foot beam shall not operate in seas over 3 feet. Parasail boats over 28” and up regardless of beam shall not operate in seas over 5 feet. Additionally, operators shall follow recommendations by Parasail boat manufacturers on canopy selection for weight and wind speeds. Parasail boats under 25’ feet are not acceptable to operate in any waters. 

NZPA-08. OPERATING WIND CONDITIONS. (inland waters) inland waters shall include lakes, bays and sounds). No Parasail boat shall operate in wind conditions such that, the vessel is not capable of maintaining a forward speed of less than 5 mph while the bow is pointing directly into the wind, in the parasail mode, with passengers aloft but in no event shall an operator fly in reported wind conditions over 20 knots sustained. 

NZPA-9. TYPES OF TOWLINE / BREAKING STRENGTH/ REPLACEMENT. Only low stretch polyester, polyethylene or nylon line shall be utilized while engaged in commercial Parasailing. The working strength of any tow rope shall not be less than 2800 kilos. Lines are to be replaced when visual wear is detected or as the manufacturer specifies. 

NZPA-10. TOWLINE LENGHTS WITH PROXIMITY TO SHORELINE. As a general rule a Parasail boat must distance themselves a safe distance upwind of a shoreline. It is the Skippers responsibility to determine a safe operating distance upwind from any downwind shoreline and to insure if there is a mechanical failure that the canopy and passengers will not drift ashore. 

NZPA-11. APPROVED WINCH SYSTEMS. Only hydraulic winch systems equipped with a functional level-wind should be utilized during parasail operations. 

NZPA-12. ROPE GUIDES. All of the surfaces that contact the rope must be smooth and include rolling pulleys and rotating or swivel heads. Sliding fixed surfaces are not recommended. 

NZPA-13. APPROVED PARASAIL BOATS. Only vessels that are purpose built for parasailing with s self-contained winch system and passenger flight deck are approved. All other custom Parasail boats must be approved in advance on a case by case basis. No beach or platform parasailing allowed. 

NZPA-14. APPROVED PARASAIL CANOPIES. Only canopies that are specifically designed for commercial parasailing are approved. Modified parachutes are not allowed. 

NZPA-15. MULTIPLE PASSENGER FLIGHTS. Multiple passenger flights are allowed only when using the equipment specifically designed for such an activity namely tandem and triple bars. It is the Skippers responsibility to determine if weather conditions are favourable for triple Flights