Board and Foil Considerations

The good news for crossover riders: you probably already own most of the equipment you need. Your existing board and foil will get you on the water. But there are adjustments worth considering once you understand how parawingfoiling loads your setup differently.

What transfers from wingfoiling

If you wingfoil, your board and foil will work for parawingfoiling. The main differences are in how the gear gets loaded:

Lower speeds. Parawingfoiling typically happens at lower speeds than wingfoiling. Your foil does not need to handle the same top-end velocity. This means a slightly larger front wing can be an advantage, giving you more lift at lower speeds.

Different stance. Because you are connected via a harness rather than holding a wing, your body position changes. You stand more upright, with your weight more centred over the board. This can affect how the board tracks and how the foil responds.

No pump-up. With a handheld wing, you often pump aggressively to get onto foil. With a parawing, the pull is more gradual and sustained. A board with some extra volume can help bridge the gap as the wing builds power.

What transfers from kiteboarding

Kitefoil boards tend to be smaller and lower-volume than wingfoil boards. They can work for parawingfoiling, but the lower power output of a parawing (compared to a kite) means you may struggle to get going on a very small board in lighter conditions.

Your kite foil will likely work well. Kite foils are designed for a similar speed range to parawingfoiling, and the mast lengths are typically appropriate.

Board recommendations

For crossover riders, a mid-length foil board (5’0” to 6’6”) with moderate volume (80-120 litres depending on your weight) is a solid starting point. You want enough volume to float comfortably while the wing develops power, but not so much that the board becomes unwieldy once you are up on foil.

If you already own a wingfoil board in this range, use it. There is no need to buy a dedicated parawing board to get started.

Coming from wingfoiling? Your existing board is likely perfect. If anything, you might appreciate a board with slightly more volume than you usually ride, since the power buildup is gentler.

Coming from kiteboarding? If your kite foilboard is under 60 litres, consider borrowing or trying a higher-volume board for your first sessions. The lower power of a parawing makes getting started on a small board challenging.

Foil setup

Front wing size. Consider sizing up your front wing by 200-400 cm² from what you use for wingfoiling in the same conditions. The extra area compensates for the lower speeds and gentler power delivery.

Mast length. A 75-85 cm mast works well for most riders. Shorter masts (60-70 cm) limit your margin for error. Longer masts give more room but add complexity. Use what you are comfortable with.

Stabiliser. Your existing stabiliser should work fine. If you find the foil feels too twitchy at the lower speeds typical of parawingfoiling, a slightly larger stabiliser can add stability.

Do not overbuy

The most common mistake crossover riders make is buying a full new setup before they have even tried parawingfoiling. Use what you have. Try the sport. Then make informed decisions about what (if anything) needs changing.

The parawing itself is the essential purchase. Everything else is refinement.

For detailed board recommendations and specific models, read our best foil boards guide.

Watch: Gwen Le Tutour: Foil settings for parawing

Gwen gives practical tips on adjusting your foil position depending on your setup and riding style. Finding the right settings makes a noticeable difference to how the board handles under parawing power.