I've been sitting on the sidelines for almost a year b/c of injuries, watching the development of PW's and want to revisit the question of how much sense it might make to ditch the wing for the PW...
...importantly - I'm talking about for average joes (or below average?!) mostly cruising flatwater in crappy wind on inland lakes with occasional trips to the gorge, and challenged in learning transitions, pumping, riding swell when its there. I'm riding 2024 Slicks, which are on the heavy side and are horrible at flagging, which is not a great combo of characteristics for me. I'm trying to decide whether to replace the Slicks with the latest wings for a better experience, or to switch to PW's with whatever looks best come this spring in the north, as they do seem to have some compelling advantages...
Are all the PW developments making it easier for beginners coming from winging?
Is flatwater cruising as good or better with the PW? Light wind?
Have advancements in wings have them holding their own against the PW in the last 2 years?
personally i don't see any advantage of a PW in flat water. you need more wind than a wing and those lines are just one big PITA to me. Guys I know who are into the PW still wing when it's not windy enough to PW, so I wouldn't say it's a 'one or the other' situation. unless you're doing a lot of long term flagging, i just don't see any advantage of a PW (except its travel-ability).
If you just want to cruise, I think the larger parawings can be super fun. I don't own large wings or large parawings (4m or larger) but if I were to buy a new one today it would be a parawing. I like that the sail is away from my body and the casual hooked in sailing with the hook slid off to the side and nothing blocking your view reminds me of kiting, it's sublime.
If you were to say that you liked doing tons of powerful wing maneuvers I'd say no, don't get a parawing. For pleasure cruising though, I'd expect you'll have fun.
Wing vs para swell riding is just different, neither is easier IMO.
From my observation: if you in place with unreliable wind (inland lakes, rivers) wing has a lot more sense. With wing if wind dies I can slog back, with PW only option is swimming.
Manage your expectations. When I got my PW I swore I'd never wing again but I have really only used mine a few times. You need good constant wind so if your regular place has it then go for it.
I would like to go for a larger PW however the only amateur video I have seen in real life light wind conditions (12-15knots) showed the PW to be quite cumbersome & a hell of a lot harder to start than a wing. I think the manufacturers know this so some don't even make them that big & they definitely don't push them. You'll see the advertising videos are always lit conditions.
Of course on the other hand you'll hear some guys telling you they are 140kgs & can get up in 6knots with a 35l board...
If your into swell riding para is next level compared to wing. And if your local is blessed with good wind swell and reliable strong wind the para is a no brainer. We've have perfect para conditions and most wingers, even a kiter have or are in the process of changing to para. Being able to ride the swell at any speed in any direction without the wing being in front of you is the ultimate.
I don't understand people using para on flat water, no point, wing is much better for those conditions.
PW is fun. Yes wing is better for gusty and ****ty wind, but the learning experience of PW is superfun. Even just learning to master the thing on lakes is fun even if all the cool stuff looks like stash and ride bumps.
One brand and model to consider if you can get your hands on it, is the Takoon cloud one. Get 2-3 for the price of 1 Frigate and buy yourself a range to have fun and play with. Yes I can hear some saying that 2-3 parawings is less convenient than wing... But they just pop and go.
Just go for it!
When I started I thought the same as all the negative comments above. Once your para skills get developed most of the issues dissappear. Just sold my last wing. Prefer the para in all ways. I am not Kai and will never do the spinny whizzy stuff wings are better for. I really enjoy just cruising around on the para and slowly improving.
Start with one quality para (4 to 5m) and use it on suitable days to build up the skills needed. Going all in too early may lead to frustration due to the negatives mentioned above. Slow transition from one to the other works well. Enjoy 
Disclosure, I'm not very good at PW(had one 9 months).
I have gusty winds and wind blown sea swell to work with.
I really enjoy learning PW, but finding right conditions to do it in is hard, so little progression as don't want to miss out on a good wing day. when it is good conditions, swell, I have loads more fun on a wing, just more versatile. so partly my bad for not pushing through with PW.
The take away for me is, try and make it easier with a ML board and bigger foil, make it as easy as possible to get on foil. Expect a struggle, small wind range to start with and line tangles. Wing has a far better low end.
But there is a pure joy in trying something different and guys/girls are making it look so easy, so it's achievable. I like you would love to ditch wings for PWs but honestly I don't think it will give the same amount of easy fun as a wing, just my thoughts.
I do have a 2023 slick, and find it ok as a wing but not great compared to my others. Yes it's a pain flagged out.
If it is 12 knots or better I will choose the PW all the time. I have winged from the very beginning of the sport and I learnt the PW because I was using SUP foil DWing and also using the wing to ride upwind and bumps back. I flew the PW in a lake to learn and i still have some sessions there after maybe 80 PW sessions. I was very surprised with how much more pleasurable it is to fly the PW in flat water than a wing for me. As long as I have enough wind for the board and foil I have selected the flat water is just another experience to enjoy. I have ozone PR's and they sail so nice I don't use my wings unless it under 12 knots. The feeling of a PW is a lot like my kite foiling sensations and better than a wing for, visibility, more efficient and you can sail DW.
I would rather slog on a parawing as long as there is enough wind to fly it. Much easier than a wing if the PW is flying and better upwind when not on a foil compared to a wing.
Yes its harder to learn.
Yes really really gusty wind can be handled better with a wing.
Yes you need a more efficient board for PW starts.
My biggest has been 3.6 but i think in the very short term PW will be available from 10 knots reliably.
Select to expand quotehilly said..
When I started I thought the same as all the negative comments above. Once your para skills get developed most of the issues dissappear. Just sold my last wing. Prefer the para in all ways. I am not Kai and will never do the spinny whizzy stuff wings are better for. I really enjoy just cruising around on the para and slowly improving.
Start with one quality para (4 to 5m) and use it on suitable days to build up the skills needed. Going all in too early may lead to frustration due to the negatives mentioned above. Slow transition from one to the other works well. Enjoy
That sounds pretty sensible to me
