HISTORY OF PARASAILING

Land’s End Adventures is the premiere parasail company in the middle Keys. It’s owned and operated by Captain Ian Laurtizen, who was born and raised in Key West, Florida. Ian began his career as a watersports captain in Key West with Sunset Watersports. He spent years as a parasail captain in Key West before striking out on his own, opening up Land’s End Adventures in Marathon, Florida.

Parasailing was developed in 1961 when an engineer modified an existing military parachute which had been used by paratroopers. Recreational parasailing in a watersports environment developed later in the decade. At first, the main form of parasailing was beach parasailing. Over time, recreational parasailing become more fine-tuned. In the early 1970s, Mark McCulloh developed the modern form of parasailing, where the flyers take off from a platform on the boat and are pulled back onto the boat through a wench system. This development made parasailing a much safer and more controlled activity.

The company where Ian learned the craft, Sunset Watersports, opening in Key West in 1984. As early adopters of the parasail industry, Captain Ian was able to learn from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced parasail professionals in the world.

We invite you to make the most of your Florida Keys vacation and take a parasail trip with Land’s End Adventures. The perfect mid-way between Key West and the mainland, Marathon is the crown jewel of the Middle Keys.

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BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

June 9, 2022

If you are bringing your family on a trip to the Florida Keys, you are probably wondering what the best things to do are. Luckily, our company is staffed by lifelong Key West residents who have been exploring Key West, Marathon, and all of the Florida Keys for our whole life. The first thing we recommend is obvious: get out on the water. Luckily, we can help you with that! By booking a fun parasail trip with Land’s End parasail, you can back tons of fun into one trip. You’ll get to ride on a fast, spacious boat. You’ll get the best ocean view in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to experience local tropical wildlife in their natural environment. And you will create memories that will last a lifetime!

MEET OUR TEAM

June 5, 2022

Let us take a moment to introduce you to our team at Land’s End Adventures, the premiere parasail company in the Middle Keys. Taking out guests from Key West, to Big Pine, to Summerland, Marathon, Islamorada and beyond, we are thrilled to offer a fun, peaceful, but exciting activity in the heart of the Florida Keys. Your captain is Ian Lauritzen, who was born and raised in Key West, the Southernmost Point in the United States. Ian started his career on the water as a teenager working on commercial fishing boats. Eventually he made the transition to watersports as a jet ski tour guide. While doing that, he got his captain’s license and began running trips at Key West’s premiere watersports company, Sunset Watersports. He then became a parasail captain. He honed his skills for years before getting the chance to start his own parasail company. He bought a boat and opened up shop at Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon, Florida. Ian got some help starting his first parasail company, Land’s End, from his girlfriend Jordan. Like Ian, Jordan was born and raised in Key West (which is what we call a ‘conch’.) Jordan lets Ian focus on the parasailing aspect of the company, and she takes care of all of the boring stuff that comes along with running a parasail company in the Florida Keys (like taxes… not fun!) In addition to the captain, a parasail boat also has a mate. Our mate is Olivia. Like Ian and Jordan, Olivia was also born and raised in Key West (she’s a conch!). Olivia started working in watersports when she was 18. She has spent the last 10 years working in the watersports industry on and off, between going to college and running a farm. Before joining our parasail venture in Marathon, Olivia was a parasail mate in Key West. Prior to being a parasail mates, she ran snorkel trips, dolphin watching, and other all-day adventures in Key West. Rest assured, these three Conchs will make sure you have a fun, safe, and exciting experience in their home town – the Florida Keys.

THINGS TO DO IN MARATHON

March 10, 2019

Hello! My name is Jordan Mannix-Lachner. I am the director of Marketing and Operations for Land’s End. Captain Ian is the owner and operator, and we live together in Big Coppitt Key. One of our favorite activities is driving up to Marathon on our rare days off and exploring everything the islands have to offer. So with years for experience, we offer to you our list of the best things to do and see in Marathon! 1. Parasailing with Land’s End Adventures Ok, to be fair, you didn’t expect us not to pick this as number one? While we may be a little biased, taking one of our parasail tours is one of the most simultaneously thrilling and peaceful ways to experience the surreal beauty of the Florida Keys. The uninhibited views you get from parasailing at 300’ in the air can’t be compared. When you’re parasailing, it’s surprisingly quiet. It’s just you and your companion, the sound of the wind, and the stunning views of the most beautiful place on earth. 2. Lunch at the Keys Fisheries Keys Fisheries offers some of the best food in all of the Keys, hands-down. It doesn’t get any fresher than this — located within a marina on Gulfview Ave, the Fisheries serves up some of the most fresh, wholesome, and delicious food in the Keys. While they’re famous for the Lobster Reuben, we some of our personal favorites are the lobster roll and the fried conch. They also have really great deals on stone crab, when it’s in season. Pro-tip: grab your food and sit upstairs at the bar for fast drink service and a nice view. 3. Kiteboarding at Keys Cable Park Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned expert, you can have a great time kiteboarding at the Keys Cable park. They have lessons and a super fun kiteboarding park where you can rent equipment and get lessons from seasoned professionals. You can also explore e-foiling, the most exciting new addition to the watersports world. The cable park is located at the Lagoon at Grassy Key, which also has an adorable and delicious tropical beer garden, where you can cool off after a salty adventure, or just watch friends and strangers kiteboard in the lagoon. Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club is the sister property of The Lagoon on Grassy Key, where you can stay at the Keys only boutique watersports resort. 4. Sportfishing with Two Conchs Two Conchs sportfishing is also located at Isla Bella Beach Resort. With a world-class fleet of Yellowfin sport fishing vessels, and some of the most experienced guides around, you are guaranteed to have an exciting and productive day of fishing in some of the best fishing grounds in the country.