BRM Parawing Review: Full Guide for 2026
Our BRM brand page covers the basics: who BRM are, their history as the founders of parawingfoiling, and an overview of the range. If you haven't read it, it's a good starting point.
This page goes deeper. Below you'll find a full breakdown of each BRM parawing model, honest pros and cons, community feedback, and how BRM stacks up against the competition.
BRM is the brand that started parawingfoiling. When Greg Drexler released the Maliko V1 in August 2024, it launched an entirely new category of water sport. Since then, the BRM range has expanded to four distinct models, each designed for a specific riding style.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the current BRM parawing lineup. We've pulled together the specs, community feedback, and an honest assessment of where BRM excels and where the competition is catching up, so you can decide whether BRM is the right choice for your setup.
About BRM
BRM (Boardriding Maui) was founded by Greg Drexler in 2012 in Maui, Hawaii. Drexler competed professionally in kiteboarding and worked as a designer at Naish International before founding BRM. The company's early focus was on lightweight, strutless kite designs for hydrofoil riding, and by 2014 they were fully committed to foil-first products.
The Maliko V1, released in August 2024, was the first parawing specifically designed for upwind hydrofoil riding. It's widely acknowledged as the product that launched the parawingfoiling category. Every other brand producing parawings today entered the market after BRM proved the concept worked.
Greg remains directly involved in every BRM design. That personal touch is something the community values, and it's a genuine differentiator from larger brands where product decisions are made by committee.
The BRM Parawing Range
BRM's current range consists of four models. Three are single-skin designs (Kanaha, Ka'a, Maliko 2) and one is double-skin (Paia). All models are named after locations on Maui and share BRM's compact carbon bar system with colour-coded lines.
| Model | Construction | Sizes | Best For | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanaha | Single-skin | 2.5m–6.2m (6 sizes) | Upwind/downwind all-rounder | $940–$1,080 |
| Ka'a | Single-skin | 1.7m–6.0m (8 sizes) | Surf, quick stow/deploy | $890–$1,070 |
| Maliko 2 | Single-skin | 2.2m–5.3m (4 sizes) | Downwind, maximum power | $920–$1,040 |
| Paia | Double-skin | 3.1m–6.1m (5 sizes) | Range, comfort, depower | $1,360–$1,640 |
BRM Kanaha: The All-Rounder
The Kanaha is BRM's most versatile parawing and the model most riders should consider first. Named after Kanaha Beach on Maui, it's designed for upwind and downwind riding with excellent stability and the highest upwind speed of BRM's single-skin range.
The Kanaha uses BRM's 7-panel canopy with a slightly higher aspect ratio optimised for upwind speed. Super-short lines allow rapid retracting, and the 25cm carbon bar keeps the entire system remarkably compact. The Inertia described it as "light, stable, nimble, intuitive" and noted it was "quiet when overpowered," awarding it their "Most Nimble and Packable Parawing" title.
BRM's unique yoke bridling system connects the A and C bridles without a middle connection point, which contributes to the Kanaha's stability and responsive micro-adjustment in flight. For riders who want one BRM wing that handles the widest range of conditions and riding styles, this is the starting point.
| Size | Weight | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5m | 362g | $940 |
| 3.2m | 404g | $970 |
| 4.0m | 464g | $1,000 |
| 4.7m | 502g | $1,020 |
| 5.5m | 556g | $1,050 |
| 6.2m | 604g | $1,080 |
BRM Ka'a: Surf and Quick Deploy
The Ka'a is designed for riders who stow and deploy frequently during a session. Named after Ka'a Point on Maui, it has radically short lines for the fastest retract and relaunch in the BRM range. This makes it the natural choice for wave-focused riders who want to stow the wing, paddle into waves, and redeploy quickly.
With eight sizes from 1.7m to 6.0m, the Ka'a has the widest size range of any BRM model. Its slightly lower aspect ratio leans toward low-end power and manoeuvrability rather than pure upwind speed. BRM recommend sizing the Ka'a one size larger than the Maliko 2 when choosing between them.
If your riding style involves switching between powered foiling and free surfing within the same session, the Ka'a's rapid stow/deploy capability is where it earns its place in the range.
BRM Maliko 2: The Downwind Specialist
The Maliko 2 is the successor to the original Maliko V1 that launched the entire parawingfoiling category. Named after the famous Maliko Gulch downwind run on Maui, this model is purpose-built for single-stow downwinding: deploy at the start, ride a single downwind run, and stow at the end.
The Maliko 2 uses a simpler 5-panel canopy with moderately longer lines than the other single-skin models. Those longer lines deliver greater power, which is what you want when you're running downwind and need consistent pull to keep the foil engaged. It's the most focused model in the BRM range: if downwind is your primary riding style, this is the specialist tool. If you need versatility, look at the Kanaha instead.
BRM Paia: The Premium Double-Skin
The Paia is BRM's only double-skin parawing and the most expensive model in the range. Named after the town of Paia on Maui, it's designed for riders who prioritise riding comfort, a broad wind range, and the composed feel that comes from a pressurised canopy profile.
The double-skin construction creates internal pressure that produces a consistent aerodynamic profile. In practical terms, this means less canopy flutter, better forward-driving lift, and more predictable behaviour across a broader wind range. The Paia handles gusts and lulls with noticeably more composure than single-skin designs.
The trade-offs are weight and price. The Paia weighs roughly 50 to 60% more than an equivalent single-skin BRM, and pricing starts at $1,360. BRM recommend sizing the Paia approximately 1 square metre larger than their single-skin models for equivalent low-end power. It uses a slightly larger 28.5cm carbon bar compared to the 25cm bar on the single-skin models.
| Size | Weight | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1m | 571g | $1,360 |
| 3.8m | 669g | $1,440 |
| 4.5m | 753g | $1,510 |
| 5.3m | 850g | $1,580 |
| 6.1m | 947g | $1,640 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pioneering heritage: the brand that created parawingfoiling
- Four specialised models covering every riding style
- Ultra-lightweight: a 4.0m Kanaha weighs just 464g
- Exceptional packability, smallest packed size on the market
- Stable and well-behaved when overpowered
- Direct personal connection with founder/designer Greg Drexler
Cons
- Premium pricing across the range ($890 to $1,640)
- Ships from Hawaii: customs duties and longer delivery for UK/EU buyers
- Limited UK and EU dealer network compared to Gong or Duotone
- No published wind ranges, which makes sizing harder for beginners
- Water relaunching less intuitive than some competitors (particularly Ozone)
Community Feedback
BRM has the deepest community presence of any parawing brand. As the pioneer, they've accumulated the most rider feedback, the most forum threads, and the most real-world testing data.
The most consistent praise centres on stability when overpowered. Riders describe BRM parawings as remaining "well-behaved" even when the wind picks up beyond the ideal range, which is a genuine confidence builder. The packability is another recurring theme: multiple riders highlight how small the entire system packs down compared to any inflatable wing.
The most common criticism is that BRM parawings can feel less powerful size-for-size than some competitors, particularly the Ozone Pocket Rocket. Some riders at around 85kg found the usable wind range of the original 4.0m Maliko V1 to be narrower than expected (roughly 16 to 22 knots). The V2 models have addressed this to some extent, particularly the Paia with its broader wind range, but it's worth noting that BRM's design philosophy leans toward controlled, efficient power delivery rather than raw grunt.
The original Maliko V1, particularly with BRM's V1.2 bridle modification, is frequently described as "one of the best values out there for parawings" on the used market.
Is BRM Worth the Premium?
This is the question every rider considering BRM has to answer. BRM parawings cost more than the competition. A BRM Kanaha in a mid-range size runs around $1,000 to $1,050. A Gong Lowkite in a comparable size sits at roughly $700 to $850. The Paia double-skin is in a tier of its own at $1,360 to $1,640.
What you get for the extra cost is genuine: ultra-lightweight construction, exceptional packability, a four-model range that covers every riding style, and the accumulated refinement of the brand that created the sport. You also get Greg Drexler's direct involvement, which riders who've dealt with BRM consistently value.
What you don't get is meaningfully better performance in all conditions. The competition has caught up. Brands like Ozone, F-One, and Flysurfer are producing parawings that rival BRM on power and wind range, sometimes at a lower price. BRM's advantage is now more about range depth, packability, heritage, and the personal connection with the founder than about an outright performance gap.
If you're buying your first parawing and budget matters, Gong offers excellent value. If you're committed to the sport and want the broadest range of specialised models from the brand that started it all, BRM justifies the premium.
How Does BRM Compare to Gong?
Gong and BRM sit at opposite ends of the parawing market. BRM is the pioneer with the deepest range and highest prices. Gong is the accessible option with a single well-executed product at a lower entry point.
Choose BRM if...
You want the deepest model range, ultra-lightweight construction, and the heritage of the brand that created the sport. You're committed to parawingfoiling and willing to pay for the most refined options available.
Choose Gong if...
You want a capable parawing at a lower entry price, simpler purchasing from Europe, and don't need multiple specialised models. Ideal for first-time buyers or riders who value straightforward value.
Which BRM Model Should You Choose?
| If You... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want one wing that does the most | Kanaha |
| Ride waves and stow/deploy often | Ka'a |
| Primarily ride downwind point-to-point | Maliko 2 |
| Want the broadest wind range and most comfort | Paia |
| Are buying your first BRM and unsure | Kanaha |
BRM deliberately don't publish fixed wind range numbers for their parawings. Their reasoning is that the usable wind range depends heavily on rider weight, board efficiency, foil choice, and experience level, so any single number would be misleading. Their website has a model selection guide that helps narrow down sizing based on your specific setup.
As a rough starting point for the single-skin models: most riders in the 70 to 85kg range in moderate wind conditions find a 4.0m to 5.5m covers their needs well. For the Paia, size approximately 1 square metre larger than you would for a single-skin.
Where to Buy BRM Parawings
BRM sell direct from boardridingmaui.com with free shipping on parawings within the US (4 to 7 day delivery). International shipping is available, with VAT and duties calculated at checkout.
For UK buyers, Hydrofoil Store (hydrofoilstore.com) stocks BRM parawings and handles UK shipping directly. In Europe, HoeNalu carries BRM models with EUR pricing. US riders can also purchase through Big Winds or Wing Foil Pro Center.
If you're ordering direct from BRM to the UK or EU, factor in customs duties and potentially longer delivery times from Hawaii. The European and UK dealer options avoid that complication.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Verdict
BRM remains the most complete parawing brand on the market. Four distinct models, ultra-lightweight construction, and the credibility of being the brand that created the sport give them a depth that no competitor has matched yet.
The honest caveat is that the competition is closing the gap. BRM's advantage is no longer about being the only serious option. It's about offering the most refined, most specialised, and most packable parawings available, backed by a founder who is genuinely accessible to the community.
If you're committed to parawingfoiling and want the benchmark brand, BRM is still where you look first.