by Michelle Moya
Our Northeast educational journey has taken us through historic cities, cultural landmarks, and architectural marvels that shaped American history. From exploring colonial sites to examining Gilded Age opulence, each stop has offered new perspectives on our nation’s past. Today’s adventure added a literal new perspective – one that Olivia had been dreading for days – parasailing!
After spending the entire morning exploring Newport’s famous mansions and learning about Gilded Age architecture, we found ourselves at the dock with Island Style Parasail. This shift from ground-level historical immersion to aerial perspective perfectly embodied the dynamic approach of our educational journey.
For those unfamiliar with the activity, parasailing involves being towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute, allowing participants to soar hundreds of feet above the water. This specific activity gave us the opportunity to fly above the beautiful waters of Narragansett Bay and view the rugged coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, all while gliding hundreds of feet behind a parasail boat.
Boarding the boat, I felt calm and excited, however Olivia’s apprehension was palpable—and it quickly influenced my own nerves. The crew fitted us with life jackets and briefly explained the landing mechanism we’d rely on upon landing from 1,000 feet above the bay. While the morning’s mansion tours had been comfortable and familiar, this was unquestionably a new kind of challenge.
The launch sequence proceeded smoothly yet rapidly. Within moments of sitting on the boat deck, we found ourselves ascending steadily above Narragansett Bay. The coastal panorama from that elevation was breathtaking, though admittedly intimidating. An amusing detail was our parachute’s distinctive smiley face design, which seemed to grin encouragingly as we soared through the air.
At first, we both gripped the connecting rope tightly—accompanied by many nervous screams—prioritizing safety over sightseeing. The boat looked surprisingly small below us, and the wind moving us in every direction made it all the more terrifying. After finally acclimating to the sensation of floating at such altitude, we finally built the courage to adjust the GoPro and record some footage.
The experience was both exhilarating and fun. The wind carried us above the water while we took in panoramic views of the Rhode Island coastline. From up there, you could see the beautiful homes, the Newport Bridge, and the famous Ocean Drive winding along the shore. The gentle swaying motion created an almost meditative experience, despite the initial adrenaline rush of being suspended so high above the bay.
When it came time to come down, we were both clearly relieved but proud. At the end of our flight, we took a picture on the boat as we were making our way back to shore, both of us happy that we had tried something new and pushed through our initial hesitations.
This parasailing adventure exemplified what makes LEAP so effective – combining traditional education with experiences that challenge us to see familiar places from entirely new perspectives. Sometimes the best learning happens when you’re floating 1,000 feet above your comfort zone!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 