Para sailing, also known as par ascending, it is a recreational activity where a person is towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a parachute. The par ascender has little or no control over the parachute. The activity is primarily an amusement ride, not to be confused with the sport of Para gliding. In land based parasailing the parasail is towed behind a car or a snowmobile.
There’s a rope about 300 feet long attached to the parasail harness at one end and to the speedboat at the other.

When the boat speeds off on the water, the parasailor just takes one or two steps and he is lifted into the air, the parasail lifting behind him.