Udupi: Cabbies Venkatesh and Dharmesh from Bengaluru engaged in parasailing at Malpe Beach on Tuesday. Fair winds gave wings to their dreams, as a speedboat hoisted Dharmesh and an instructor strapped to a parachute from the shore, into the clear blue skies, and gave him a splash into the sea on request, before being set gently down on the shore. While this was Dharmesh’s maiden ride, Venkatesh seemed a pro, having done it four times before.
Giving them this experience was Mantra Tourism Development Company, that owns the rights to a host of activities, including much sought-after water sports at Malpe Beach, some 4 km from here. Asserting that he would come with his family next time, Venkatesh said he will definitely ensure his friends know of this exhilarating adventure sport that is available for tourists at Malpe. “One cannot put a price on this unique experience,” Dharmesh said.
Parasailing was not the only thing that attracted tourists, who had a rollicking time in the sea, despite it being a working day. There was a steady demand for winch-boat parasailing that the company introduced last week. “This is a novelty that is available now only in Goa,” said Sudesh Shetty, proprietor of MTDC. “As parasailing was popular with tourists, we decided to add this adventure sport to our repertoire to enthral tourists,” he told TOI.
Incidentally, the company has been offering parasailing for the last seven years. “Novelty in adventure sports is what tourists seek, and we as a company strive to offer it,” he said. People have queued up for both winch boat and beach parasailing activities. Incidentally, both these activities start at 9am and go on till 6pm. Strong winds ensure that the parachutes get proper lift, and add to the thrill that the tourists taking them experience, he says.
Quote Hanger
We are looking at reviving heli-tourism rides from December. If the current footfall of tourists persists, we are keen to bring back Chipsan Aviation to give tourists a ride from the Aadi Udupi helipad and back, passing over St Mary’s Island and other string of islands straddling Malpe Beach. These heli-tourism rides were most sought after in the past. – Sudesh Shetty, proprietor, MTDC.
ADVENTURE SPORTS AVAILABLE (BOX)
· Winch boat parasailing’
· Parasailing
· Banana Ride
· Bumpy Ride
· Rafting
· Zorbing
· Jet Ski
· Kayaking
· Surf Boarding