BRM Review
BRM Parawing Review: Full Guide for 2026
BRM is the brand that started parawing foiling. When Greg Drexler released the Maliko V1 in August 2024, it launched an entirely new category of water sport. The lineup has shifted significantly in 2026: the new S3 Single Skin Parawing arrived as the flagship on 30 April 2026, the Maliko 2 has been discontinued, and the legacy Kanaha, Ka’a, and Paia are all now running at around 35% off as BRM clears stock.
This guide covers the current range, the lineup change, and how the new S3 and the legacy models compare across pricing and intended use.
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 parawing foiling 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 Current BRM Lineup
| Model | Status | Construction | Sizes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Single Skin Parawing | New flagship (30 Apr 2026) | Single-skin, third generation | 2.1m, 2.7m, 3.4m, 4.2m, 5.3m | All-round single skin, latest BRM tech |
| Kanaha | Legacy, on clearance | Single-skin, 7-panel | 2.5m to 6.2m (6 sizes) | Upwind/downwind all-rounder |
| Ka’a | Legacy, on clearance | Single-skin, 7-panel | 1.7m to 6.0m (8 sizes) | Surf, quick stow/deploy |
| Paia | Legacy, on clearance | Double-skin | 3.1m to 6.1m (5 sizes) | Range, comfort, depower |
| Maliko 2 | Discontinued | — | — | — |
Only the S3 is featured on BRM’s main collection page; the legacy three remain accessible by direct URL while inventory runs down. The Maliko 2 has been removed entirely; the original Maliko bar is now sold as a service part (“Carbon Parawing Bar I (for Original Maliko)”).
BRM S3 Single Skin Parawing: The New Flagship
The S3 launched on 30 April 2026 and represents BRM’s third generation of single-skin parawing design. BRM describe it as “ultra lightweight and compact” with “new premium materials, profiles, support, control, balancing, and ergonomics.” It pairs with the new Carbon Parawing Bar II.
Available sizes: 2.1m, 2.7m, 3.4m, 4.2m, 5.3m (5 sizes)
Construction: Single-skin, third generation, pre-assembled to a D-Grip Handle, paired with the Carbon Parawing Bar II
Best for: Riders who want the latest BRM single-skin design, replacing the role previously held by both the Kanaha (all-round) and Maliko 2 (downwind)
| Size | Weight | Retract Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1m | 513g | 103 cm |
| 2.7m | 590g | 117 cm |
| 3.4m | 590g | 132 cm |
| 4.2m | 635g | 146 cm |
| 5.3m | 680g | 165 cm |
The retract length figures are unusual for parawing manufacturers to publish, and they give a clear indication of how compact the wing is when stowed. The S3 is BRM’s response to a market where every brand has now caught up on single-skin design; it consolidates what they learned from the Kanaha and Maliko 2 into a single flagship.
S3 Pricing
| Size | USD | GBP (inc UK tax/duty) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1m | $1,040 | £821 |
| 2.7m | $1,100 | (per-size GBP not surfaced; £821 shown) |
| 3.4m | $1,160 | (per-size GBP not surfaced) |
| 4.2m | $1,220 | (per-size GBP not surfaced) |
| 5.3m | $1,280 | (per-size GBP not surfaced) |
USD direct from boardridingmaui.com. GBP prices on the BRM site are inclusive of UK import taxes and duties (BRM ships from Hawaii, so this is a meaningful cost saving versus paying customs on delivery). EUR is not meaningfully published; EU buyers are billed in USD plus customs on delivery. Prices verified 10 May 2026 and subject to change.
BRM Kanaha: Legacy All-Rounder (On Clearance)
The Kanaha is BRM’s previous-generation all-rounder, now run-down stock. It remains a strong option, particularly at the current sale pricing.
Available sizes: 2.5m, 3.2m, 4.0m, 4.7m, 5.5m, 6.2m
Construction: 7-panel single-skin canopy, 25cm carbon bar, sheathed colour-coded lines
The Kanaha uses BRM’s yoke bridling system (A and C bridles without a middle connection point), which contributes to its stability and responsive micro-adjustment in flight. 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.
Kanaha Pricing (Sale)
| Size | Weight | USD (sale) | USD (was) | GBP (inc tax/duty) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5m | 362g | $611 | $940 | £536 |
| 3.2m | 404g | $630.50 | $970 | £554 |
| 4.0m | 464g | $650 | $1,000 | £571 |
| 4.7m | 502g | $663 | $1,020 | £582 |
| 5.5m | 556g | $682.50 | $1,050 | £599 |
| 6.2m | 604g | $702 | $1,080 | £616 |
USD and GBP from boardridingmaui.com, GBP inclusive of UK import taxes and duties. Approximately 35% off compare-at price. Prices verified 10 May 2026 and subject to change.
BRM Ka’a: Legacy Surf/Quick Deploy (On Clearance)
The Ka’a is the surf-focused single-skin, also on clearance. With eight sizes from 1.7m to 6.0m, it has the widest size range of any current BRM model.
Available sizes: 1.7m, 2.3m, 2.9m, 3.6m, 4.2m, 4.8m, 5.4m, 6.0m
Construction: 7-panel single-skin canopy, 25cm carbon bar, optimised for stow/deploy downwind and surfing
Ka’a Pricing (Sale)
| Size | Weight | USD (sale) | USD (was) | GBP (inc tax/duty) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7m | 308g | $578.50 | $890 | £508 |
| 2.3m | 352g | $604.50 | $930 | £531 |
| 2.9m | 400g | $624 | $960 | £548 |
| 3.6m | 442g | $643.50 | $990 | £565 |
| 4.2m | 486g | $656.50 | $1,010 | £576 |
| 4.8m | 526g | $669.50 | $1,030 | £588 |
| 5.4m | 564g | $682.50 | $1,050 | £599 |
| 6.0m | 602g | $695.50 | $1,070 | £611 |
USD and GBP from boardridingmaui.com, GBP inclusive of UK import taxes and duties. Prices verified 10 May 2026 and subject to change.
BRM Paia: Legacy Double-Skin (On Clearance)
The Paia is BRM’s only double-skin parawing, designed for the broadest wind range and most composed feel. Now also on clearance.
Available sizes: 3.1m, 3.8m, 4.5m, 5.3m, 6.1m
Construction: Double-skin with open leading and trailing edges, 28.5cm carbon bar
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. BRM recommend sizing the Paia approximately 1 square metre larger than their single-skin models for equivalent low-end power.
Paia Pricing (Sale)
| Size | Weight | USD (sale) | USD (was) | GBP (inc tax/duty) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1m | 571g | $884 | $1,360 | £776 |
| 3.8m | 669g | $936 | $1,440 | £822 |
| 4.5m | 753g | $981.50 | $1,510 | £861 |
| 5.3m | 850g | $1,027 | $1,580 | £901 |
| 6.1m | 947g | $1,066 | $1,640 | £936 |
USD and GBP from boardridingmaui.com, GBP inclusive of UK import taxes and duties. Prices verified 10 May 2026 and subject to change.
Pack size: Not published for the Kanaha, Ka’a, or Paia. The S3 is the only model with retract-length data published per size.
A Note on BRM Pricing in EUR and GBP
BRM’s Shopify currency switcher offers GBP and EUR. The GBP prices above are real Shopify Markets FX-converted figures, and importantly, BRM’s disclosure states “International pricing is inclusive of taxes and duties.” That means UK buyers pay no surprise customs charge on delivery, which is a meaningful advantage over competitors who quote ex-tax prices.
EUR figures shown on BRM’s site, however, are not real FX conversions; the store displays USD numerical values with the € symbol swapped in. EU buyers are effectively paying USD plus customs on delivery. We have not quoted EUR prices in the tables above to avoid misleading EU buyers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Pioneering heritage: the brand that created parawing foiling
- The S3 represents BRM’s most refined single-skin design to date
- Legacy Kanaha, Ka’a, and Paia now offer significant savings (~35% off)
- Ultra-lightweight construction across the range
- Exceptional packability: the most compact parawings on the market
- UK pricing is inclusive of tax and duty, a real advantage versus competitors
- Direct personal connection with founder/designer Greg Drexler
Cons:
- Maliko 2 has been discontinued (existing owners can still service the original Maliko bar)
- EUR pricing on BRM’s store is not real FX; EU buyers pay USD plus customs
- Ships from Hawaii: longer delivery times for UK and EU buyers
- Limited UK and EU dealer network compared to Gong or Duotone
- BRM does not publish wind ranges, which makes sizing harder for beginners
- Per-variant stock is not publicly disclosed on the BRM site
Community Feedback
Based on community discussion across parawing foiling forums, Facebook groups, and independent testing by The Inertia, BRM earns the deepest community presence of any parawing brand.
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 Paia addresses this to some extent 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 S3 is too new for substantial community feedback at the time of writing. Initial impressions and longer-term reviews will be tracked here as they emerge.
Is BRM Worth the Premium?
The S3 sits at full price, $1,040 to $1,280 USD across the range, which puts it firmly at the premium end. The legacy Kanaha, Ka’a, and Paia are now significantly cheaper (~35% off), which makes them more competitive against Gong on price for the first time.
What you get with BRM is genuine: ultra-lightweight construction, exceptional packability, the accumulated refinement of the brand that created the sport, and Greg Drexler’s direct involvement. UK buyers also get tax-inclusive pricing on the BRM site, which is a meaningful advantage.
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 heritage, packability, the new S3 design, and the personal connection with the founder than about an outright performance gap.
If you’re buying your first parawing and budget matters, the legacy BRM models on clearance are now competitive. If you want the latest BRM design, the S3 is the flagship.
How Does BRM Compare to Gong?
BRM has the deepest heritage in parawing foiling and the most accumulated community knowledge. Both brands moved their lineups significantly in 2026: BRM with the S3 launch and clearance on the legacy three; Gong with the full 2026 -6 generation refresh and the new Neutra Light.
Choose BRM if: You want the latest single-skin design (S3), the heritage of the brand that created the sport, or the legacy models at clearance pricing. UK buyers also benefit from BRM’s tax-inclusive pricing.
Choose Gong if: You want the lowest entry price, the broadest current lineup (five 2026 models with half-size increments), or simpler EU shipping. See our Gong Lowkite review for the full 2026 range.
Which BRM Model Should You Choose?
| If You… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the latest BRM design and don’t mind paying full price | S3 |
| Want a value all-rounder and don’t need the latest tech | Kanaha (clearance) |
| Ride waves and stow/deploy often | Ka’a (clearance) |
| Want the broadest wind range and most comfort | Paia (clearance, double-skin) |
| Are buying your first BRM and unsure | S3 if budget allows; Kanaha clearance otherwise |
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. For a detailed breakdown by rider weight and wind strength, check our parawing size guide.
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. UK pricing is inclusive of tax and duty, so what you see at checkout is what you pay on delivery.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Maliko 2?
The Maliko 2 has been discontinued. The original Maliko bar is now sold as a service part for existing owners. The S3 Single Skin Parawing has effectively replaced both the Kanaha (all-round) and Maliko 2 (downwind) roles in the current BRM lineup.
What is the BRM S3?
A new third-generation single-skin parawing launched on 30 April 2026. BRM describe it as “ultra lightweight and compact” with new premium materials, profiles, support, control, balancing, and ergonomics. Five sizes (2.1m to 5.3m), pre-assembled to a D-Grip Handle, paired with the new Carbon Parawing Bar II.
Are the Kanaha, Ka’a, and Paia still available?
Yes, but as run-down stock at approximately 35% off compare-at price. They remain accessible by direct URL on boardridingmaui.com but are no longer featured on the main parawings collection page.
Why is BRM’s GBP pricing different from EUR?
BRM’s Shopify Markets is configured for genuine GBP FX conversion (and the GBP price is inclusive of UK tax and duty), but EUR figures on the site are USD numerical values with the € symbol swapped in. EU buyers effectively pay USD plus customs on delivery. UK buyers benefit from the tax-inclusive pricing.
Is the BRM Paia worth the extra cost?
The Paia (now $884 to $1,066 USD on sale, was $1,360 to $1,640) is a noticeably broader-wind-range, more composed wing than BRM’s single-skin models. If you ride in variable wind or want the most comfortable ride possible, the Paia delivers. At clearance pricing it’s significantly more attractive than at full price.
The Verdict
BRM has restructured for 2026. The S3 is the new flagship single-skin, replacing the Kanaha and Maliko 2 in the active lineup. The Kanaha, Ka’a, and Paia are still available but as clearance stock at ~35% off. The Maliko 2 is gone.
For riders who want BRM’s latest design, the S3 is where to look. For value-conscious buyers, the legacy three at clearance pricing are now genuinely competitive against Gong and other budget options. UK buyers benefit from BRM’s tax-inclusive pricing across all models, which removes a significant cost that other brands shipping from outside the UK do not absorb.
If you’re committed to parawing foiling and want the benchmark brand, BRM is still where you look first. The lineup change makes the timing interesting: cheap legacy options now, or pay full price for the new S3.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
- BRM Kanaha vs Ozone Pocket Rocket: pioneer vs paraglider pedigree
- BRM Ka’a vs Duotone Stash: ultra-light specialist vs global mainstream
- Aeryn P1 vs BRM Kanaha: budget newcomer vs the pioneer (both on sale)
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