The Parawing: A Beginner's Guide

It's not a wing, nor a foil kite, certainly not an inflatable kite, and definitely not a windsurfing sail. So what exactly is this new invention? What is it used for, and most importantly, is it right for you?

After carrying out our initial tests, here's what we think.

The parawing was born from the common need of wingfoil and SUP downwind practitioners seeking a device that would allow them to easily take off in hydrofoil, while offering them unparalleled freedom of movement once launched on the swell.

Thus, a miniature foil kite, without a depower system, was born.

The first iterations available on the market emphasized the power generated by the wing, as well as the ease with which the rider could pack it away once in flight.

That being said, the models are evolving very rapidly, and we are already seeing a clear improvement in the performance of the new generations, both in terms of wing stability in flight and their ability to fly upwind.

Ozone's Pocket Rocket seems to be popular right now.

So here are our first impressions, tips and tricks, in question and answer format.

Who is the parawing for?

For intermediate or advanced wingfoil riders looking to maximize their experience when surfing the swell. The biggest appeal of the parawing is that it's easier to take off with a hydrofoil than with a paddle, and the wing is then much less cumbersome than a wing once you're surfing the swell.

Is it easier than wing foiling?

No way.

The parawing has several limitations. It's not equipped with a depower system, meaning its wind range is much more restricted than that of a wingfoil. If the wind drops by 3 to 4 knots, getting back up on foil is almost impossible. Conversely, if the wind increases by 5 knots, it becomes very difficult to maintain control of the wing to sail upwind.

Moreover, the parawing pumps very poorly (not to say not at all), which makes takeoffs in light winds much more difficult.

Unlike the wingfoil, which provides buoyant support for easy takeoff, the parawing is already airborne and requires minimal one-handed control. The rider must therefore adapt their routine for getting onto the board and standing up, with less support than in wingfoiling.

Then comes the complexity of the lines and the bridle which, once tangled, can represent a real puzzle (we can however say that we have always managed to untangle the bridle without having to return to the shore).

Can I use my usual wingfoil board and hydrofoil?

The principle here is the same as when you started wingfoiling: bigger is better.

The ideal board would be a hybrid/mid-length type (see our mid-lengths here) , and its volume should be at least equal to the rider's weight in kilograms. We strongly believe that increasing this volume by 10 to 15 liters above your weight will significantly accelerate your progress.

For hydrofoiling, we recommend using the front wing that you would use in light winds.

The goal is to compensate for the lack of power and "pumping" of the parawing by oversizing the board and the hydrofoil.

If you prefer to keep your usual equipment and try the experience, we advise you to take a larger size of parawing.

What size wing should I buy to start with?

Good question.

To optimize your parawing learning, we recommend starting when the wind is between 15 and 20 knots. Below 15 knots, you will have great difficulty taking off. Above 20 knots, the water becomes much more challenging to manage in terms of balance.

Your first parawing should therefore correspond to the wing size you would use in 15-knot conditions.

For reference, I weigh 85 kg and I managed to take off with a 5 m² parawing in conditions of 15 to 18 knots. My board was a mid-length 80 L and my hydrofoil had a 1200 cm² front wing.

We're still discovering the potential of this new sport, and we learn a little more with each new outing on the water. But in our opinion, parawing is here to stay!

Feel free to call us in store to discuss it and see what the best choice would be for you.

📞 450-671-5650