| Water sports are becoming increasingly popular as | | | | any rules parasailing enthusiasts must follow in their |
| family vacations. Boating, parasailing, skiing, surfing | | | | jurisdiction. Most areas allow 500-1,000ft ascensions |
| and diving are promoted by many of the most | | | | while others may allow up to 2,000ft. |
| popular tourism destinations in the world. Aside from | | | | Skiing and Jet Skiing |
| fun water sports and activities, some areas hold | | | | People of all ages enjoy many variations of water |
| competitions with amazing prize possibilities. | | | | skiing including skiing on two skis, one ski, |
| The Balearic Island of Majorca holds several sailing | | | | wakeboarding and even barefoot. At any given time |
| and yachting competitions throughout the year, | | | | during the summer, where there is a large body of |
| primarily from March to October. The 25th Annual | | | | water and motor boats, you will probably see skiers. |
| King's Cup will be held in August 2008. Spain's King | | | | Oftentimes more than one skier will be skimming the |
| and Prince will be taking part in the competition to | | | | surface of the water behind a swiftly moving boat. |
| help celebrate the 25th anniversary. | | | | Several forms of jet skiing are becoming more |
| The Canary Islands are also popular water sports | | | | popular as well. Jet skis are similar to mountain bikes |
| destinations. The volcanic origin of the Canaries | | | | on water. They are built with a two-stroke or |
| enhances the beauty and appeal. The unusual beauty | | | | four-stroke engine, depending on how the owner |
| of the islands doesn't end where the sand meets the | | | | plans to use them. Most jet skis have a |
| water. Divers quickly learn that there is much more | | | | small-to-medium sized seat to accommodate one or |
| to the Canary Islands than meets the eye. | | | | two people. Stand-up jet skis are available to those |
| Boating and Hired Boat Rides | | | | who enjoy jet skiing freestyle and doing tricks. They |
| Many forms of boating are enjoyed as a summer | | | | are lighter and more accommodating in terms of |
| vacation all around the world. Sailing is very popular in | | | | jumping or flipping. |
| the Balearic and Canary Islands as well as other | | | | Surfing |
| destinations. Several favorite tourist destinations | | | | Tropical islands and coastlines with large, crashing |
| offer boating tours as well as glass-bottom boat | | | | waves wouldn't be complete without surfboards and |
| excursions. Glass-bottom boats are most popular in | | | | surfers. Surfing has grown phenomenally over the |
| areas with crystal clear waters and an abundance of | | | | years and now envelopes windsurfing, kitesurfing, |
| marine life. Some areas allow tourists to feed the fish | | | | longboarding and shortboarding. The terms |
| or other marine life. | | | | 'longboarding' and 'shortboarding' often refer to the |
| August is a very busy sailing month in Majorca due to | | | | two major subdivisions of surfing. Surfers enjoy the |
| popularity of the King's Cup. Majorca holds several | | | | special relationship they say they have with the |
| other sailing competitions throughout the year. | | | | water and provide non-surfers a thrilling viewing |
| Yachting is also very popular, especially during the | | | | experience as they glide almost effortlessly on the |
| summer months when the vast majority of tourists | | | | waves. Surf camps in popular tourism areas offer |
| plan their vacations. Along with boating usually comes | | | | surfing lessons and may be enjoyed by all ages and |
| skiing and parasailing. | | | | skill levels. |
| Parasailing | | | | Diving |
| Parasailing or parascending is increasingly popular | | | | Many popular tourist destinations around the world |
| among college students and families with teens. The | | | | offer superb diving opportunities. The Balearic Islands, |
| thrill of being lifted into the air high above the waters | | | | Canary Islands, Florida and Puerto Rico are just a few |
| is an adrenaline rush many in their teens and twenties | | | | popular dive areas. Diving opportunities in various |
| can't pass up. Some of the most popular parasailing | | | | tourist areas may include shipwrecks, aircraft wrecks, |
| destinations are the Balearic Islands of Majorca and | | | | caves, tunnels and all sorts of marine life. In many |
| Menorca, the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote | | | | areas, to enhance the experience, divers are |
| and Gran Canaria, Florida and Puerto Rico. Parasailing | | | | permitted to feed stingrays and other marine life. |
| associations in different regions of the world govern | | | | |