Duotone Academy | Parawing Setup

What Is Parawinging?

Parawinging is the newest evolution in the world of foiling—a discipline that strips away the wing’s inflatable structure and instead relies on the rider’s strength, balance, and finesse to harness the wind. Think of it as a fusion between downwind SUP foiling and traditional wing foiling, but with a minimalist approach that offers a unique challenge and reward.

Without the stability of an inflated wing, parawinging demands more from your technique, balance, and gear selection. Riders must generate lift and maintain flight using efficient body movement and proper foil choice, making this one of the most engaging forms of foil progression today.

The Learning Curve: Start Gentle, Stay Consistent

Compared to wing foiling, parawinging introduces a steeper—but gentler-paced—learning curve. You’ll spend your early sessions finding your balance, learning to manage power delivery, and developing the leg strength necessary to pump onto foil without wing assistance.

The absence of the wing’s pull means your board and foil choice play a much bigger role in early success. A larger board will provide stability and help smooth out the learning process. Similarly, using a higher-glide foil will make it easier to stay on foil for longer runs and recover from small mistakes.

Choosing the Right Gear

Board Selection: Go Bigger to Begin

Balancing on your board is significantly more difficult without the stabilization provided by an inflated wing. For that reason, a larger board is strongly recommended for your first sessions. A board like the Duotone Skybrid is an excellent option—it’s compact enough for maneuverability, yet still offers solid stability for getting started.

If you already own a downwinder board, you’re in luck. Its volume and length will make your initial parawinging sessions much more forgiving, especially when learning to paddle up or pump onto foil.

Foil Setup: Glide Is Your Friend

To compensate for the lack of wing power, you’ll need a foil designed for early lift and efficient glide. Larger foils—like those used in SUP downwind foiling—are ideal. Duotone’s Glide series provides the perfect range of sizes for different rider weights and skill levels.

The key is maximizing efficiency: you want a foil that can lift early, carry momentum through transitions, and stay stable while you focus on pumping and balance.

Recommended Setups by Rider Weight and Level

The Duotone Academy team has compiled the following recommendations to help you choose the right setup for your parawinging journey.

Intermediate Wingers (70–80 kg)

• Board: 100 L Skybrid or 95–115 L Downwinder
• Foil: Glide 1,100

This setup strikes the right balance of stability and performance, providing enough volume to manage balance while still keeping things agile for progression.

Intermediate to Advanced Riders (80–90 kg)

• Board: 115 L Skybrid or 105–115 L Downwinder
• Foil: Glide 1,100 to 1,350

Heavier riders benefit from a bit more volume and surface area. The larger foil options deliver additional lift to help compensate for body weight and make pumping onto foil more efficient.

Advanced Riders (60–70 kg)

• Board: 55–70 L Skybrid or 90–95 L Downwinder
• Foil: Glide 750 to 900

At this level, lighter riders can confidently downsize to smaller boards and foils, optimizing for speed, agility, and carving control. This setup rewards refined technique and precise balance.

Advanced Riders (90–100 kg)

• Board: 100 L Skybrid
• Foil: Glide 1,100

This configuration provides a strong platform for takeoff while maintaining responsive handling once on foil. The Glide 1,100 offers the perfect mix of lift and control for heavier, experienced riders.

The Parawing Experience

Parawinging challenges riders to connect more deeply with their gear, the water, and their movement. Every pump, shift, and glide is earned through body control and technique. Once you find that rhythm, though, the feeling is unlike anything else—a smooth, silent flight over water powered purely by your own energy and the ocean’s rhythm.

It’s this blend of skill, patience, and freedom that makes parawinging one of the most exciting frontiers in the foiling world today.

Key Takeaways

• Start big. Larger boards and foils provide the best stability and lift for beginners.
• Focus on glide. Foils like Duotone’s Glide series help maintain flight with minimal drag.
• Train your legs. Pumping and balance play a bigger role without a powered wing.
• Progress gradually. Begin with a downwinder setup, then transition to smaller boards like the Skybrid as your skills improve.
• Enjoy the challenge. Parawinging is about patience, technique, and flow—the more you practice, the more effortless it feels.

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