A parasail boat captain for more than 10 years, Mark Jurist of Shark’s Cove Marina in Fenwick Island says the popular water sport is both exhilarating and peaceful. “Some people want more of a thrill ride – free falls, dips in the water, that kind of stuff,” says Jurist, who has owned Shark’s Cove since 1998 and spends his entire summer on his parasail boat sharing his passion for the sport with others.
“A lot of people just want a peaceful ride,” he says. Either way, Jurist says, once you’re up in the air, floating above the water, “it’s just the most peaceful experience,” and you’re treated to views few others have seen. “You can see Ocean City, and all the small islands in the bay,” Jurist says.
“I love what I do,” Jurist says. “Every trip is a new trip,” and whether he’s with a new customer or one of the many repeat customers he sees each summer, he enjoys making the experience unique each time. He takes pride in the high caliber of his parasail crew – each member is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. That translates to an impeccable safety record – zero accidents in 10 years.
Jurist is a native of Hillsboro, N.J., and while he says it’s a beautiful area, “it’s too far from the beach.” After college, Jurist found himself seeking out places that are surrounded by water – first St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, and then Miami, as a construction supervisor helping to rebuild areas devastated by Hurricane Andrew.
But it was a ride on a Waverunner with a friend in the early 1990s that showed Jurist his true career niche. “I said ‘this is what we’re going to do’,” he recalls. Soon after, he made the move to Ocean City and began his water sports business.
Shark’s Cove, located on Route 54 just west of Fenwick Island, features a full-service marina in addition to rentals of Waverunners, pontoon boats and center console fishing boats. Parasailing packages are a popular activity, and Shark’s Cove even offers a combination package that includes both Waverunner rental for up to three people and a parasail trip for one person for $119, the best deal at the beach Jurist says. This year Shark’s Cove has a new parasail boat.
Since moving to Ocean City, Jurist has married and started a family. Just like the visitors he serves, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children at the beach or on the water.
Shark’s Cove Marina is open 8am to dusk every day, through September. Call (302) 436-8500 or check out their Web site at www.sharkscovemarina.com. |
