Another development. Prices rising fast too.

boardridingmaui.com/pages/double-skin-parawing

Long before i expected on both fronts.

Amazed

Surprised to see it's more optimized for top end. You need to size up to get the same power. And it really only show an advantage when really powered up as it should have significantly better upwind angles. Could be a great choice for those doing upwind/dw runs.
man it's hard to keep up with the pace of evolution in this new discipline

I think this is the valuable page to look at...pretty interesting comparisons - curious to see how accurate people find them

boardridingmaui.com/pages/parawing

When Windance is selling the Takoon parawing in a retail shop, with all the margins, except maybe a distributors margin for $464 you have to ask, are we being taken advantage of.

I think yes!

Then why not just buy the Takoon wing? Like any other business I'm sure BRM prices it based on what they think the market will bear.

Really positive feedback from Gwen. Sounds like the call for up/dw. www.instagram.com/reel/DMacI_ARoNK/?igsh=MXI2emI2dGYxeWNjeQ==

I'm struggling to see the use of this. I'm already having issues because the upwind angles of the Kanaha 4m are so good that I'm constantly cutting wingers and kiters. Seems like a lot more material to gain a 10%.
Now, the 5.5m kanaha does not have the angles of the 4m, maybe that the use, but why will I want to carry a 6.1m double skin that weights double?

TBH I feel overwhelmed by the BRM offerings now. Is it a mistake to have 4 different models available this early in the game? BRM only ever had 1 wing and 1 kite right? I appreciate that Greg is on the cutting edge but I worry that too many options leads to confusion and steering away from a brand. Just a thought.

Looking at the wind range on the Paia, this could have a real chance of replacing inflatable wings, particularly in the smaller sizes. Going to be interesting to see the response from the rest of the industry. The open leading and training edge looks like the killer app for this one.

It does seem to make the Kanaha a bit defunct, going upwind so much better for those upwind/downwind runs.

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Stormus said..
Looking at the wind range on the Paia, this could have a real chance of replacing inflatable wings, ...

i don't understand why some think the parawing is meant to replace inflatable wings. they're two different things for different purposes. sure there is plenty of overlap, but parawings will no more replace inflatable wings than a Mini Cooper will replace a pickup truck.

Well, Greg is pretty committed:
boardridingmaui.com/pages/wing

I don't see it as a replacement for everyone all the time. However, I've been selling off my extra wings and really prefer the parawing at the moment. Natural progression for my riding style.

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BWalnut said..
Well, Greg is pretty committed:
boardridingmaui.com/pages/wing

From that link:

"looking at inflatable wings, we see unnecessary pumps, setup, and leashes, with durability limitations, and a crazy big thing that's always in your face or tugging on your arm. We can't imagine accepting any experience other than to walk out hands free, throw it up, and enjoy flying it around or completely packing it away in seconds."

That sounds pretty compelling...I'm still sitting on the sidelines, but can now imagine my current inflatable wings as my last...by next spring here in the north, we should have a number refined and compelling options, they are still figuring things out, but doing so pretty rapidly it seems to me...

The Ka'a and Maliko v2 seem superfluous now. The tradeoffs they make for their niches don't seem to be worth it compared to the Kanaha and Paia. Kanaha for the pure downwind tow up and for shorter upwind/downwinders and the Paia for the longer upwinders and mowing the lawn.

I think inflatables still have a place in pumping surf and learning, but I struggle to find any other reason to use one (in my region at least).

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frappes said..
The Ka'a and Maliko v2 seem superfluous now. The tradeoffs they make for their niches don't seem to be worth it compared to the Kanaha and Paia. Kanaha for the pure downwind tow up and for shorter upwind/downwinders and the Paia for the longer upwinders and mowing the lawn.

I think inflatables still have a place in pumping surf and learning, but I struggle to find any other reason to use one (in my region at least).

Agree. I think the Maliko V2 was always a bit superfluous. I wouldn't be surprised if the next iteration consolidates on a single single skin model, there doesn't seem to be enough of a distinction between the other two.

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Stormus said..
Looking at the wind range on the Paia, this could have a real chance of replacing inflatable wings, particularly in the smaller sizes. Going to be interesting to see the response from the rest of the industry. The open leading and training edge looks like the killer app for this one.

It does seem to make the Kanaha a bit defunct, going upwind so much better for those upwind/downwind runs.

I do not think this will affect the Kanaha selection as it goes upwind plenty, and has excellent maneuverability. Plus, the lightweight is a game changer in light winds and bigger sizes. These things are not even recommended under 12 knt for 6m, and I can go with the 5.5m kanaha from 8-10 knt, at 12knt is full power upwing.
I can see the use in the smaller sizes and very strong winds, so perhaps the 3.1m will be interesting. However, I had ridden the 2.5m Kanaha from 20 to 35 knt gusts, and it is plenty of fun to have such a small thing to collapse.

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kook123 said..

BWalnut said..
Well, Greg is pretty committed:
boardridingmaui.com/pages/wing

From that link:

"looking at inflatable wings, we see unnecessary pumps, setup, and leashes, with durability limitations, and a crazy big thing that's always in your face or tugging on your arm. We can't imagine accepting any experience other than to walk out hands free, throw it up, and enjoy flying it around or completely packing it away in seconds."

That sounds pretty compelling...I'm still sitting on the sidelines, but can now imagine my current inflatable wings as my last...by next spring here in the north, we should have a number refined and compelling options, they are still figuring things out, but doing so pretty rapidly it seems to me...

A few days ago at the Maui to Molokai race, the fastest winger did the crossing in a little over an hour. Foil SUP in 1:30. Parawing in 1:46. Yes, there were very few parawingers compared to wingers and SUPs but I don't think parawing is so much better than winging that everyone will switch. time will tell if I'm wrong. I hope I am so I can buy cheap wings :)

my.raceresult.com/349678/results

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WillyWind said..

kook123 said..

BWalnut said..
Well, Greg is pretty committed:
boardridingmaui.com/pages/wing

From that link:

"looking at inflatable wings, we see unnecessary pumps, setup, and leashes, with durability limitations, and a crazy big thing that's always in your face or tugging on your arm. We can't imagine accepting any experience other than to walk out hands free, throw it up, and enjoy flying it around or completely packing it away in seconds."

That sounds pretty compelling...I'm still sitting on the sidelines, but can now imagine my current inflatable wings as my last...by next spring here in the north, we should have a number refined and compelling options, they are still figuring things out, but doing so pretty rapidly it seems to me...

A few days ago at the Maui to Molokai race, the fastest winger did the crossing in a little over an hour. Foil SUP in 1:30. Parawing in 1:46. Yes, there were very few parawingers compared to wingers and SUPs but I don't think parawing is so much better than winging that everyone will switch. time will tell if I'm wrong. I hope I am so I can buy cheap wings :)

my.raceresult.com/349678/results

Comparing racing speeds of wing vs paddle/Pwing is apples and oranges. Wings hack straight using the wind power, while paddle and Pwing are riding the swells.

And that is my point: parawings cannot replace all aspects of winging. Maybe BRM is only focused in wave/swell riding and downwind and that's why it's killing its wing.

The BRM wing was a very basic design, didn't really compete with the big players. Much larger margins on the PW's, so it makes sense.

Or maybe Greg just likes designing parawings. I for one enjoy the fact that Greg is willing to try out ideas from left field. Even if you don't like his designs, they clearly challenge the norm and spark innovation from others.

I suspect Greg thinks in the following fashion:

Do we really need three struts in a kite?
If I were to create a kite bar, what would it look like?
Do we really need a one pump system in a wing? Can I simplify everything and make it lighter?
Do we really need to learn a paddle pump up technique for downwind supping or is there an alternative?
Single skin parawings go upwind okay, but I can I do it better and still pack it down?

BRM is a small family business. I find it quite remarkable how many brilliant products they have produced.

Video of Greg and Scott riding the Paia: ?si=HblfHhJliMv-2Rp3

As expected, looks like the stow and re-deploy is a bit more effort than single skin. But, it's pretty remarkable seeing Scott on a 4.5m in Maui winds with no harness needed. It's certainly intriguing but I think that I'm personally gonna stick with single skins for the time being; I really appreciate the effortless packdowns and don't feel like I'm missing too much on upwind angles compared to inflatables.

A buddy who has been riding BRM for a while said it quite simply: "Greg designs for himself. If he's not passionate about wings anymore he's not going to build them." Which is totally legit for a small business.

Today was a perfect day for winging. The swell sucked in most locations, the only place it was good it was totally choked out by weeds. Way more fun to blast around on the wing and flag out for 5 seconds here and there than it was trying to parawing.

Different tools, different days, different locations.

An interview with the man himself:

Better upwind performance and more top-end versus complex packability (double skin + larger size due to less low-end) and higher price. Yet to be found whether the pros outweigh the cons. Always good to have choices, regardless.

I spent yesterday watching Greg, Gwen, Foil Rat, and many others at the BRM demo. It was gusting to 40. Blowing so friggin hard. Wingers on 2m and 2.5m. Cash paddling in prone to the Gorge swells. The BRM double skin was so calm and well behaved on the water, it made everything else like crap to my eye.

Looks like Gwen rocked the 4.5M upwind that same day. Wind must have laid down no?

What makes you say it was 4.5m? Wind dropped off a chunk in the afternoon. Great upwind angles!

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MidAtlanticFoil said..
Looks like Gwen rocked the 4.5M upwind that same day. Wind must have laid down no?

1:1 ratio is amazing. I wonder by how much the current affects such numbers at the Gorge though? What sort of up/down time ratios are people milking from the single skins over there?