Captain Tim Marler pilots the boat as Jimi Anderson of Spencer and Michael Nardiello of England go parasailing on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, with Extreme Watersports.
Tim Hynds
Captain Tim Marler pilots the boat as Jimi Anderson of Spencer and Michael Nardiello of England go parasailing on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, with Extreme Watersports.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Boats ride on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, on June 13, 2013.Â
Tim Hynds
Extreme Watersports' Captain Tim Marler has been sending parasail-minded passengers 450 feet above Lake Okoboji since 1994.
OKOBOJI, Iowa | Growing up around Ruthven, Iowa, Tim Marler still remembers the summers that he spent around Palo Alto County's Lost Island Lake.
Now as the owner of West Lake Okoboji's Extreme Watersports, he realizes the best place to experience a lake isn't by swimming in it.
Instead, Marler prefers to be 450 feet above the water.
"There's nothing better than seeing Okoboji on a parasail," he explained. "It's a beautiful experience."
Marler's been taking thrill-seeking tourists parasailing every summer since 1994.
A harness connects up to three riders to a parasail, which is then connected to a commercial water sport boat that is driven by Marler or a member of the Extreme Watersports crew.
When the boat drives off, the parasail lifts off ... sending the passengers sky high.
Marler said parasailing isn't permitted on particularly breezy days.
"If the winds is blowing above 15-20 mph, we can't sail," he explained.
But on a clear day with minimal winds, parasailing can be majestic.
In addition to a bird's eye view of Lake Okoboji, Marler said passengers can see all of the sight of Spirit Lakes, surrounding cornfields and seven separate water towers.
"People think it will be noisy riding in a parasail," he said, shaking his head. "Instead, it's completely quiet. All you'll hear is the motor of the boat and you'll be lost in your thoughts."
"I guess it's all pretty Zen."
It's also a way for people with special needs to experience the sensation of being over water.
"Since passengers are strapped in securely, we regularly take special needs kids parasailing," Marler said. "They seem to love it."
For some people, parasailing has become a yearly ritual.
"I estimate a good 30 to 40 percent of our passengers come back for more," Marler said. "They want the ride to be longer and they want to come back every year."
As he prepared for his 21st season, Marler said the youngest parasail passenger he has taken was 3 and the oldest was 93.
"And they always say the same thing," he said with smile. "The best way to see Lake Okoboji is from the seat of a parasail."
The lakes are alive with country music and lots of beer, thanks to the recent opening of Beer Can Alley. The bar and nightclub opened its door…
Captain Tim Marler pilots the boat as Jimi Anderson of Spencer and Michael Nardiello of England go parasailing on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, with Extreme Watersports.
Captain Tim Marler pilots the boat as Jimi Anderson of Spencer and Michael Nardiello of England go parasailing on West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, with Extreme Watersports.
