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It was quiet. A sense of calm drowns out the faint ruffle of the parachute and the far-off sound of the boat.

The breeze was light floating along Marco’s shoreline. And gliding through the air at 300 feet, the view was stunning. It’s not often birds are flying below you.

And the view of the Gulf goes for miles.

“You can go out in no wind at all — any higher than 20 miles per hour and we shut down,” said Gary Neff, crewmember.

Marco Island Ski & Watersports takes people parasailing out of the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, the Marco Island Marriott Resort and starting this season the Marriott Vacation Club International (formerly Radison Suite Beach Resort).

On this day, the wind was closer to 5 miles per hour, so a 38-foot parachute was needed. There are different sizes for different wind conditions.

The parachute on the back of the boat inflated in a colorful explosion. A lifejacket and a harness was all it took to be lifted into the air. It was like floating on a hammock.

The 12 minutes in the air allow time for reflection in such peaceful conditions. The sun peaked through the clouds, which made it perfect for parasailing.

When the 600-foot rope gets pulled in to about 100 feet, Capt. Scott Forrer allows the parachute to get close enough to the water to dip you — if you want. Since your feet are dangling, such a dip gets you a little wet, but you’re quickly pulled out before possibly getting dipped a second and third time.

The 28-foot boat is made for parasailing and allows for a takeoff and landing directly on the boat. Since the wind was blowing offshore, the boat went out a little bit. Forrer said they usually don’t go offshore more than three-quarters of a mile.

“My favorite is west winds because we can fly close to the beach so it looks nice,” Forrer said.

Forrer said that it’s more like he’s flying the parachute than pulling it. And it’s a safe adventure for all ages.

People can go as a single or with another person. And a disposable camera is recommended to capture the gorgeous views as you drift through the air.

No matter how high in the air you might be, you can see dolphins.

Just seeiung such graceful creatures breaking the surface of the water completes the lofty experience.

•••

Take flight

• What: Marco Island Ski & Watersports parasailing

• When: Call for weather conditions

• Where: Marco Island Marriott Resort, 400 S. Collier Blvd.; Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, 560 S. Collier Blvd. and starting this season Marriott Vacation Club International (formerly Radisson Suite Beach Resort), 600 S. Collier Blvd.

• Contact: 642-2359 or visit www.marcoislandwatersports.com