Wakeboard jump enhancement system

A towed participant entertainment system, comprising in combination:

• a tow vehicle having a source of propulsion;
• a tow rope coupled to said tow vehicle at a first end and including a handle at a second end opposite said first end, said handle adapted to be releasably held by a user;
• at least one surface riding platform, said platform adapted to support a user thereon while said platform planes upon the surface;
• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to said tow rope through the user;
• wherein said aerodynamic lift generator includes a parachute;
• wherein said parachute includes vents therein, said vents located strategically within a canopy of said parachute, such that said parachute exhibits enhanced lift characteristics;
• and
• wherein said parachute includes a pair of stabilizers suspended by lines coupling said canopy to a junction of said lines, said pair of stabilizers adapted to resist rotation of said parachute.

A towed participant entertainment system, comprising in combination:

• a tow vehicle having a source of propulsion;
• a tow rope coupled to said tow vehicle at a first end and including a handle at a second end opposite said first end, said handle adapted to be releasably held by a user;
• at least one surface riding platform, said platform adapted to support a user thereon while said platform planes upon the surface;
• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to said tow rope through the user;
• and wherein said generator includes a balloon.

A towed participant entertainment system, comprising in combination:

• a tow vehicle having a source of propulsion;
• a tow rope coupled to said tow vehicle at a first end and including a handle at a second end opposite said first end, said handle adapted to be releasably held by a user;
• at least one surface riding platform, said platform adapted to support a user thereon while said platform planes upon the surface;
• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to said tow rope through the user;
• wherein a cord is interposed between said aerodynamic lift generator and the user, such that lift forces created by said aerodynamic lift generator are transferred to the user through said cord;
• and
• wherein said cord includes an outer end coupled to said aerodynamic lift generator and an inner end adapted to be coupled to the user, said inner end coupled to a retractor, said retractor adapted to retract portions of said cord between said inner end and said outer end.

A towed participant entertainment system, comprising in combination:

• a tow vehicle having a source of propulsion;
• a tow rope coupled to said tow vehicle at a first end and including a handle at a second end opposite said first end, said handle adapted to be releasably held by a user;
• at least one surface riding platform, said platform adapted to support a user thereon while said platform planes upon the surface;
• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to said tow rope through the user;
• wherein a cord is interposed between said aerodynamic lift generator and the user, such that lift forces created by said aerodynamic lift generator are transferred to the user through said cord;
• wherein a wearable garment is provided with said cord coupled to said wearable garment, said wearable garment adapted to be worn by the user;
• and
• wherein said wearable garment is at least partially formed of buoyancy enhancing material.

A towable apparatus jump enhancement system, comprising in combination:

• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to the user while the user holds a tow rope coupled to a tow vehicle;
• wherein said aerodynamic lift generator includes a parachute;
• wherein said parachute includes vents therein, said vents located strategically within a canopy of said parachute, such that said parachute exhibits enhanced lift characteristics;
• and
• wherein said parachute includes a pair of stabilizers suspended by lines coupling said canopy to a junction of said lines, said pair of stabilizers adapted to resist rotation of said parachute.

A towable apparatus jump enhancement system, comprising in combination:

• an aerodynamic lift generator adapted to be coupled to the user and exert a lifting force upon the user;
• said generator adapted to only be coupled to the user while the user holds a tow rope coupled to a tow vehicle;
• wherein a cord is interposed between said aerodynamic lift generator and the user, such that lift forces created by said aerodynamic lift generator are transferred to the user through said cord;
• and
• wherein said cord includes an outer end coupled to said aerodynamic lift generator and an inner end adapted to be coupled to the user, said inner end coupled to a retractor, said retractor adapted to retract portions of said cord between said inner end and said outer end.

A method for enhancing a height and duration of jumps experienced by a user of a towable surface planing apparatus, the method including the steps of:

• providing an aerodynamic lift generator;
• coupling the generator to the user and not to any towing source;
• towing the user upon the surface planing apparatus with a towing source;
• exerting a lifting force on the user with the generator, such that any jumps experience greater height and duration;
• and
• wherein said coupling step includes the step of attaching a harness to the user including at least one leg girding belt and at least one torso girding strap, with the aerodynamic lift generator coupled to the harness.

A method for enhancing a height and duration of jumps experienced by a user of a towable surface planing apparatus, the method including the steps of:

• providing an aerodynamic lift generator;
• coupling the generator to the user and not to any towing source;
• towing the user upon the surface planing apparatus with a towing source:
• exerting a lifting force on the user with the generator, such that any jumps experience greater height and duration;
• and
• wherein said coupling step includes the further step of configuring the harness to be in the form of a vest formed of at least partially buoyancy enhancing material.

A method for enhancing a height and duration of jumps experienced by a user of a towable surface planing apparatus, the method including the steps of:

• providing an aerodynamic lift generator;
• coupling the generator to the user and not to any towing source;
• towing the user upon the surface planing apparatus with a towing source;
• exerting a lifting force on the user with the generator, such that any jumps experience greater height and duration:
• extending a cord between said aerodynamic lift generator and the user with said cord precluded from being connected directly to a towing source;
• and
• locating the aerodynamic lift generator adjacent the user, and deploying the aerodynamic lift generator to a location spaced from the user with the cord extending between the aerodynamic lift generator and the user.