Express News Service By

CHENNAI: If you thought that the Marina Beach was getting boring, think again. Chennai’s premier beach, on Saturday, got itself its first parasailing attraction with Indian Aero Sports and Science offering the aero sport to thousands of tourists and Chennaiites who throng the Marina’s sands.

Indian Aero Sports and Science conducted training camps for the police’s Coastal Security Group last month and has been thinking of offering parasailing to the general public for some time. Implementing the facilities and obtaining permission took a while.

“We had a lot of testing to do before we could get it in place. But now that we have, we will operate everyday from 10 am to 6 pm as long as the weather is favourable,” said T Babu, Director of Indian Aero Sports and Science. The attraction also comes incredibly cheap, compared to similar ones present on the beaches of Goa and a few other coastal cities. The rate per person has been fixed at Rs 300 for school and college students and Rs 500 for others.

“Chennai’s Marina also offers an almost ideal location for parasailing,” said Babu, because of prevailing conditions here. “We have a large sandy beach, the run-up is no problem, the winds are steady and quite strong. It is perfect for parasailing,” he said.

In such conditions, where the wind is steady and strong, each ride could last as many as 20 minutes.

However, winds by nature are unpredictable, which means that people hoping to take a ride will have to keep their fingers crossed. On the inaugural day, 20 people were lucky enough to take to the skies in the three hours of good conditions for parasailing.

“It is best that people call us and check if the conditions are right. Many people were disappointed today. We are offering the service right behind the Subash Chandra Bose statue on the beach,” said Babu.