Riding and Progressing

You have launched, got on foil, and ridden your first runs. Now it is time to build from those initial rides into confident, independent sessions. This is where parawingfoiling starts to feel like its own sport rather than a variant of something you already do.

Riding upwind

As a foiler, you understand the importance of going upwind. Without it, you end up downwind of where you started and face a long walk back.

With a parawing, upwind ability depends on three factors:

Wing position. Keep the wing slightly forward in the window (towards the direction you are heading). This gives you a forward pull component rather than just a sideways one. Unlike kiting, you do not have a huge depower range to play with, so small adjustments matter.

Board angle. Edge your board upwind as you would in wingfoiling. The foil provides the lateral resistance. The parawing provides the forward pull. Your job is to balance the two.

Trim. If your bar has a trim strap or depower system, use it. Trimming the wing for maximum efficiency (rather than maximum power) often gives you better upwind angles.

Most crossover riders find they can go upwind within their first few sessions. The learning curve is shorter than it was when you first learned to go upwind on a foil.

Transitions and jibes

Turning around is where the harness connection creates a different challenge. In wingfoiling, you can flip the wing overhead during a jibe. With a parawing, the wing stays above you and you need to manage it through the turn.

The basic jibe:

1. Bear off downwind slightly to build speed
2. Begin your turn on the foil as you normally would
3. As you cross through the wind, the wing will shift position overhead. Let it. Do not try to fight it
4. As you settle onto the new tack, sheet in to rebuild power
5. Edge upwind on the new heading

The wing management through the jibe is the new skill. Your foiling jibe technique stays the same. The key is to keep the bar centred through the turn and let the wing find its own position. Aggressive bar inputs mid-jibe will cause problems.

Coming from wingfoiling? The jibe feels simpler in some ways because you are not flipping a wing. But you lose the ability to use the wing as a counterbalance. Trust the harness through the turn.

Coming from kiteboarding? The jibe feels very natural. The wing transition is similar to a kite, just slower and gentler. You may find parawing jibes easier than kite jibes because of the lower power.

Light wind riding

This is where parawingfoiling really shines for crossover riders. The combination of an efficient, harness-driven wing and a foil means you can ride in conditions where a handheld wing would leave you standing on the beach.

Keys to light wind parawingfoiling:

• Size up your wing. In marginal conditions, a larger parawing makes all the difference
• Use a larger front wing on your foil. More lift area compensates for lower line tension
• Be patient with the launch. Light wind launches take longer. The wing inflates slowly and rises gradually
• Pump the foil gently. Even though the wing provides continuous pull, a few gentle pumps can help you bridge the gap onto foil in very light conditions

For dedicated light wind technique, read our light wind parawingfoiling guide.

Stowing and relaunching

Sometimes you want to stop and rest, or the wind drops and you need to manage the wing on the water.

Stowing (flagging out). Most parawings can be flagged out by releasing the bar and letting the wing depower. It will settle onto the water or trail behind you. The exact method varies by brand.

Water relaunch. Relaunching from the water is an essential skill. Some parawings self-relaunch by pulling on specific lines. Others need you to swim to the wing tip and guide it up. Practice this in controlled conditions before you need it in earnest.

Watch: Flysurfer POW Academy water usage

Covers riding techniques including paddling, power boosts, water starts, foiling, handling waves, and relaunching. The most structured riding progression tutorial available.

Watch: Greg Drexler riding and technique

Greg demonstrates riding technique and answers common progression questions in these videos.

Watch: Duotone Academy: How to jibe with a parawing

Finn Spencer demonstrates two jibe variants: switch stance and normal foot position. Step-by-step breakdown with one-handed parawing steering technique.

Watch: Gwen Le Tutour: Upwind technique

Gwen breaks down the “game of give and take” for mastering upwind angles and staying on foil through challenging conditions.

For the full technique guide from beach to advanced riding, read our how to parawing foil guide.