• A leisure activity turned into panic during a sea adventure in Goa
• Calls have grown for stricter safety standards in adventure sports

A frightening parasailing incident involving a woman in India’s Goa state has sparked widespread discussion on social media after a moment of recreation quickly escalated into a near-disastrous situation.

In a video shared on Instagram, Sushmitha Gowrav said her experience with adventure sports did not go as expected, stressing the importance of caution amid a rise in similar incidents in India in recent months.

Gowrav explained that she fell into the sea while parasailing after the rope suddenly tightened around her neck, causing panic and a loss of control.

She added: “What started as a fun experience in Goa ended with me in the middle of the sea fighting fear. I fell into the water, the rope wrapped around my neck, and suddenly everything went silent except panic. No camera can capture what it feels like to lose control in that moment.”

She confirmed she was later rescued after someone intervened, but described the experience as traumatic and life-changing, saying: “I was lucky to be saved, but not everyone gets a second chance.”

Gowrav urged travellers to verify safety measures and ask questions before taking part in water sports or adventure activities, adding: “Some experiences don’t remain memories — they turn into trauma.”

The video quickly went viral, triggering a wave of reactions, with many users expressing concern about engaging in such activities and pointing to insufficient safety standards at certain tourist sites.