OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Tourism in Oceanside continues to take off, and for the first time visitors can enjoy parasailing. In this Zevely Zone, I soaked in a view to remember with Top Gun Parasail.
I've always promised my wife I wouldn't skydive in the Zevely Zone, but this segment did involve a parachute hundreds of feet off the ground. The next time you visit a North County beach you may see something new in the sky if you look up.
"That's because it was never here," said R.J. Johnson, who owns Top Gun Parasail with his wife, Sarah.
The married couple is now considered Oceanside's pioneers of parasailing.
"We tried to get in here for years, we've been working on this for about five years," said R.J.
In June, city officials finally approved take off.
"Business is thriving, it's been crazy. It's been a hit right out of the gates," said R.J.
In honor of the military town, R.J. and his wife named the company Top Gun Parasail.
"I am the Maverick of the boat, yes," said R.J.
R.J. is a parasailing pilot who has successfully launched thousands of tourists off of Catalina, Lake Tahoe, Long Beach and more.
"We are just going to have fun," said Shae Geary from the city's tourism bureau called Visit Oceanside.
She invited me to fly. I asked Shae if she had ever parasailed before.
"I have not, so I am in this with you," said Shae.
The process was simple. After a short boat ride, we hopped in a harness, threw on a lifejacket and away we went.
"Whoa, that's amazing," I yelled, although the take off was really smooth.
Up, up, and away we soared to an incredible panoramic view.
"Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, La Jolla and in the distance you can see Mexico," I said as I filmed with a small camera. The ride was so smooth I was hands free for my entire experience.
The peak season for tourism may be winding down, but lucky for you, parasailing in Oceanside is an endless summer.
"A lot of people think you have to get wet doing this. You stay one hundred percent completely dry. This is a year around operation," said R.J.
Shae and I flew together side by side. We decided she would be our Top Gun, and I'd be the wingman.
"I'm always Goose," I laughed.
If you have an Iceman in your family, you can even opt to fly three at a time.
Shae and I wore our bathing suits, expecting to get wet. R.J. told us he could drop us in the water or slightly dip our feet.
"We are ready to be dipped," we yelled. A slight slowing of the boat and we were tickling our toes in the Pacific. "Yeah, that feels nice, ha, ha, ha," I laughed. "Top Gun baby!"
Each parasailing flight lasts between 10 to 12 minutes. The excursions last about an hour and can accommodate up to 10 people per boat. The cost is $109 dollars per person. Observers can enjoy the boat ride for $49 dollars.
The company offers a photo package as well for $39.95, so visitors can cherish their memories. The minimum age for parasailing is six years old. For more information, click here.
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