Select to expand quoteYoungbreezy said..
Hey good to hear you had a decent first session. Just a small tip. Getting going toeside is almost as easy as getting going on your strong side. Different to winging where getting to your feet and getting on foil toeside is alot more difficult. With the one handed flying parawing allows for a good comfortable stance toeside. For my local conditions I am often either starting against the bumps on my strong side or with the bumps toeside. In this situation usually going with the bumps toeside is easier.
That's exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for. Thanks I'm giving toeside starts a go next session!
It's amazing how much experience improves your ability to get started. In the beginning, I needed a strong wind to launch on a 6'3" x 21", 95L board. Yesterday, I switched from a 5m wing to a 4.2m parawing, and on the same board-now a 5'10" x 21", 85L-paired with an AFS 900 Enduro foil, I managed to get up in sub-20 knot winds. Honestly, I was surprised-I thought I had no chance. But combining a well-timed leg pump, a bump of swell, and a perfectly executed parawing pump at just the right angle off the wind made all the difference.
Select to expand quotehilly said..
It's amazing how much experience improves your ability to get started. In the beginning, I needed a strong wind to launch on a 6'3" x 21", 95L board. Yesterday, I switched from a 5m wing to a 4.2m parawing, and on the same board-now a 5'10" x 21", 85L-paired with an AFS 900 Enduro foil, I managed to get up in sub-20 knot winds. Honestly, I was surprised-I thought I had no chance. But combining a well-timed leg pump, a bump of swell, and a perfectly executed parawing pump at just the right angle off the wind made all the difference.
Sweet I was actually wondering about at what size you'd start hitting limits with the board and foil with a parawing (my gap in boards is 48L wing and 95L sup so I'll be on the sup for a while)
Going to try to put in another session this arvo as I've heard once it all starts coming together it clicks pretty quickly
Select to expand quotehilly said..
It's amazing how much experience improves your ability to get started. In the beginning, I needed a strong wind to launch on a 6'3" x 21", 95L board. Yesterday, I switched from a 5m wing to a 4.2m parawing, and on the same board-now a 5'10" x 21", 85L-paired with an AFS 900 Enduro foil, I managed to get up in sub-20 knot winds. Honestly, I was surprised-I thought I had no chance. But combining a well-timed leg pump, a bump of swell, and a perfectly executed parawing pump at just the right angle off the wind made all the difference.
I can get up on the 3m flow with 15kts and around same dimensions riding the HA880 but it very much comes down to luck of the draw on the bump, pump and angle if I can get the board to release.
I'm finding with both winging and foiling that the experience side comes in knowing the difference as to whether you are embarking on a fool's errand when you start pumping, or whether if you give it heart and soul that it is possible to get up. I'm at the point winging now where I know with certainty whether I can get up before I commit to the pump, or whether I have to wait for a gust, or just drift inshore making sad trombone noises.
I'm 5 sessions into my Ozone 3.6 Pocket Rocket in a range of conditions from 12 -30 knots with flat water,nice waist high swell and crazy confused chop. I have been using my Armie 116L DW board, 980 HA and 180 tail. I plan to start using my 65L ML on the next 20+ day.
I'm 85Kg an experienced Kitesurfer , winger and sup foiler but for anyone who is a decent wingfoiler this new sport is easy so don't be afraid. This ozone flies so well and has great control even overpowered , I have not had a single major tangle yet.( I do use a back line leash which prevents this if you let go of the bar).
I took ages to decide between a 4.3 or 3.6 but I can 100% say I made the right choice for my first parawing. The wind range on the Ozone web site is spot on for my weight.
With the DW board in 15 knots getting up is all about the board pump on a bump with virtually no power from the wing. In 20 knots just bare away a couple of good board pumps with steady pull from the wing and up. Over 22 knots and I'm on foil with parawing power and board speed alone. This is when I think I could use my ML (-20L) board with the 3.6. I had some 30knot gusts going upwind the pocket rocket sheeted out but the leading edge is still stable and driving upwind hard had to gybe 2 handed to hold it. So for me the range is 15 - 30 knots which is as good as my 4m wing.
I'm so pleased with the upwind performance which is now easily as good as a wing but the technique is different. First you need to use a harness and really push hard against the foil to drive the pocket rocket to the edge of the window, build apparent wind and then maintain perfect trim without stalling or over sheeting. This requires allot more concentration than winging upwind it's just like Kite foiling your visibility is much better and it's really enjoyable riding locked in going fast. You can have fun riding going back and forward without a harness but you won't make the same angles.
I'm now working on the pack-away relaunch. I'm 1.83m tall and to kill power with the 3.6 is almost a full arm reach the bundle is very manageable but I can see how shorter lines like BRM use might have advantages in this aspect.
Overall I bought what was available to me at my local shop. You have to start somewhere, the Ozone Pocket Rocket is a great Parawing I'm very happy with its performance. Time to stop sitting on the fence !!
here is Cynbad's response when I asked about the bridle mods they have been doing:
Select to expand quoteilboarder12 said..
here is Cynbad's response when I asked about the bridle mods they have been doing:
Did she share the results?
Select to expand quoteKB7 said..
I'm 5 sessions into my Ozone 3.6 Pocket Rocket in a range of conditions from 12 -30 knots with flat water,nice waist high swell and crazy confused chop. I have been using my Armie 116L DW board, 980 HA and 180 tail. I plan to start using my 65L ML on the next 20+ day.
I'm 85Kg an experienced Kitesurfer , winger and sup foiler but for anyone who is a decent wingfoiler this new sport is easy so don't be afraid. This ozone flies so well and has great control even overpowered , I have not had a single major tangle yet.( I do use a back line leash which prevents this if you let go of the bar).
I took ages to decide between a 4.3 or 3.6 but I can 100% say I made the right choice for my first parawing. The wind range on the Ozone web site is spot on for my weight.
With the DW board in 15 knots getting up is all about the board pump on a bump with virtually no power from the wing. In 20 knots just bare away a couple of good board pumps with steady pull from the wing and up. Over 22 knots and I'm on foil with parawing power and board speed alone. This is when I think I could use my ML (-20L) board with the 3.6. I had some 30knot gusts going upwind the pocket rocket sheeted out but the leading edge is still stable and driving upwind hard had to gybe 2 handed to hold it. So for me the range is 15 - 30 knots which is as good as my 4m wing.
I'm so pleased with the upwind performance which is now easily as good as a wing but the technique is different. First you need to use a harness and really push hard against the foil to drive the pocket rocket to the edge of the window, build apparent wind and then maintain perfect trim without stalling or over sheeting. This requires allot more concentration than winging upwind it's just like Kite foiling your visibility is much better and it's really enjoyable riding locked in going fast. You can have fun riding going back and forward without a harness but you won't make the same angles.
I'm now working on the pack-away relaunch. I'm 1.83m tall and to kill power with the 3.6 is almost a full arm reach the bundle is very manageable but I can see how shorter lines like BRM use might have advantages in this aspect.
Overall I bought what was available to me at my local shop. You have to start somewhere, the Ozone Pocket Rocket is a great Parawing I'm very happy with its performance. Time to stop sitting on the fence !!
Let's not exaggerate. Parawing is not easy, even for competent foilers.
It's only easy if the wind quality is good and by good I mean at least 17kt base. If wind is shifty and gusty it gets even trickier.
I have the Ozone 4.3 and, similar to other parawings, it does not allow for pumping unless the wind is strong. Taking off by pumping the board with 12kt and side chop is nearly impossible for common mortals.
Similarly, jibes are only easy if wind is consistent. It takes nothing to have the parawing around your neck or under your board.
I went out 3 times. the first time I went wind was 18kt and clean. Everything was easy from taking off to jibes. Then I went out with v gusty wind and current and it was a mess.
I agree on upwind and depower capabilities though. The Ozone goes upwind as good as a wing and it depowers really well.
Parawing is highly dependent on conditions, way more so than winging.
Thank god someone finally said it !!! I totally agree with your comments, esp re 17kt+ minimum for learning, and needing consistent conditions. For those heroes who go out on a - 20L board first time in 12kts and immediately foil up - well done. Congratulations. But that is a long way from my experience so far. Dave West was on the money with his early PW videos, there was a lot of truth there. Parawings absolutely suck power . It is WAY harder than winging and if there are lulls there is nothing you will be able to do to unstick the board, the parawings deform too much. I don't consider myself a kook, been kiting , kitefoiling, and winging since the first wings came out. Parawinging is the most condition dependent of the lot, by miles, as you cannot generate much power to compensate when the wind lulls , unlike all the above sports. I guess the point of my post is let's please be realistic for the sake of anyone reading as of all of the above sports this one has been the most frustrating to make progress in. We are now 2-3 generations of gear in already after less than a year , and it's only now that I'd say the gear is good ie without some major compromise ( yes I did get the v1 wings, and am on my third brand now). The juice has barely been worth the squeeze thus far , but I'm gonna keep chasing the nirvana of long downwind glides with almost nothing in my hands for a bit yet...
Okay sorry to upset anyone who has struggled to learn everyone has their different skill sets coming into this new sport.
My only other point of reference is my friend who has just started to learn with me. He is 100Kg and bought the 4.3 Ozone Pocket Rocket using it with his Amos 130L DW Board and ARMIE 1180. He is one session behind me but his progression is similar with no real drama learning. Certainly neither of us has suffered any of the big tangles people talk about. I feel this could be because the Ozone flys so well one handed and is intuitive you don't crash it for no reason that could put you in a tangle situation it wants to fly.
We have been learning the past week is these super gusty rainy Easterly's that have flooded out the mid East Coast river towns. You really couldn't ask for worse wind conditions with horrible brown water.
My minimum is 15knots but this requires good board pumping technique with a bump similar to Sup foiling onto a green wave if you don't know how to do that then you will need more wind. If you are not using a DW board maybe even more.
I totally agree in 12 knots it sucks even on the DW Board it's just enough to taxi one handed trying to balance. Throw in some cross chop and boat wake and you will hate it.
At < 10 knots ( with a wet para wing) it's sucks even more because it won't even fly and you are paddling back to the beach. This was something to think about as the wind died when I was 500m out in Botany Bay paddling over all the Bull sharks. On a normal wing I could have taxied back standing no problem
I guess my point is this Ozone Pocket Rocket already a very good Parawing don't waste a whole season waiting to see what happens, just get into it.
Select to expand quoteKB7 said..
Okay sorry to upset anyone who has struggled to learn everyone has their different skill sets coming into this new sport.
My only other point of reference is my friend who has just started to learn with me. He is 100Kg and bought the 4.3 Ozone Pocket Rocket using it with his Amos 130L DW Board and ARMIE 1180. He is one session behind me but his progression is similar with no real drama learning. Certainly neither of us has suffered any of the big tangles people talk about. I feel this could be because the Ozone flys so well one handed and is intuitive you don't crash it for no reason that could put you in a tangle situation it wants to fly.
We have been learning the past week is these super gusty rainy Easterly's that have flooded out the mid East Coast river towns. You really couldn't ask for worse wind conditions with horrible brown water.
My minimum is 15knots but this requires good board pumping technique with a bump similar to Sup foiling onto a green wave if you don't know how to do that then you will need more wind. If you are not using a DW board maybe even more.
I totally agree in 12 knots it sucks even on the DW Board it's just enough to taxi one handed trying to balance. Throw in some cross chop and boat wake and you will hate it.
At < 10 knots ( with a wet para wing) it's sucks even more because it won't even fly and you are paddling back to the beach. This was something to think about as the wind died when I was 500m out in Botany Bay paddling over all the Bull sharks. On a normal wing I could have taxied back standing no problem
I guess my point is this Ozone Pocket Rocket already a very good Parawing don't waste a whole season waiting to see what happens, just get into it.
100% agree on the tangle issue. It is really a non issue. and I had it all. as I said, the parawing lines were all over my body and I often told myself I'd never go thru it. Instead, even the worst mess was a 1min business at most. The key is to keep a good attitude, get on the board and work out the lines, color by color.
The ozone is superior to the others cause it flies very well and holds it structure even in its very upper range when depowered. The price to pay though is that lines are too long compared to BRMs and POWs hence stowing is a bit too cumbersome, particularly in the 4.3m and up.
My view is that parawings already are close to their best versions. It wont be that much easier than it is in their current form.
Waiting for the next version (and I hear it quite a lot from people on the fence as to whether to put the money for a pw) is pointless. as said by @KB7 the right time to jump into it, is now!
Also I want reiterate one of the most important part of a jibe. Particularly with shifty and inconsistent wind, pointing the bar extremity to the board bow is not enough. It is so helpful instead to pull the upper c-lines. It is a massive session saver and will save you from many potential tangling issues due to the pw not completing the turn and falling on your neck as a beautiful cachemire scarf ;)
This was the most important video helping me in my progression:
www.instagram.com/reel/DIT95TsI8b0/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I'm three sessions into using the Pocket Rocket and parawinging for the first time.
I'll apologize upfront to those finding it difficult but both myself and my buddy I wing with (both winging for four years) found it really not difficult at all.
I did a couple of light wind taxiing off foil sessions to just get used to it and then the first day we had wind I was up and gybing both directions, sailing toe side, gybing both heel and toe side. The Pocket Rocket is great and I've just not found it difficult to do at all.
Here's a bit of a summary and some basic tips, I'll be doing more videos on it, probably tutorials to begin with ...
Select to expand quoteMeonAsh said..
I'm three sessions into using the Pocket Rocket and parawinging for the first time.
I'll apologize upfront to those finding it difficult but both myself and my buddy I wing with (both winging for four years) found it really not difficult at all.
I did a couple of light wind taxiing off foil sessions to just get used to it and then the first day we had wind I was up and gybing both directions, sailing toe side, gybing both heel and toe side. The Pocket Rocket is great and I've just not found it difficult to do at all.
Here's a bit of a summary and some basic tips, I'll be doing more videos on it, probably tutorials to begin with ...
Nice work getting it dialled so quickly. Can I ask what your weight is?
Select to expand quoteDukeSilver said..MeonAsh said..
I'm three sessions into using the Pocket Rocket and parawinging for the first time.
I'll apologize upfront to those finding it difficult but both myself and my buddy I wing with (both winging for four years) found it really not difficult at all.
I did a couple of light wind taxiing off foil sessions to just get used to it and then the first day we had wind I was up and gybing both directions, sailing toe side, gybing both heel and toe side. The Pocket Rocket is great and I've just not found it difficult to do at all.
Here's a bit of a summary and some basic tips, I'll be doing more videos on it, probably tutorials to begin with ...
Nice work getting it dialled so quickly. Can I ask what your weight is?
Sure, I'm 83kg.
Select to expand quoteMeonAsh said..
I'm three sessions into using the Pocket Rocket and parawinging for the first time.
I'll apologize upfront to those finding it difficult but both myself and my buddy I wing with (both winging for four years) found it really not difficult at all.
I did a couple of light wind taxiing off foil sessions to just get used to it and then the first day we had wind I was up and gybing both directions, sailing toe side, gybing both heel and toe side. The Pocket Rocket is great and I've just not found it difficult to do at all.
Here's a bit of a summary and some basic tips, I'll be doing more videos on it, probably tutorials to begin with ...
MeonAsh I love your videos. Some of the most informative out there. hands down. And I am very grateful that you took the time and patience to do so. I learnt tons by watching your videos.
but we are talking about different things here.
We all seem to agree on the fact that the Ozone Pocket Rocket is the most accessible pw out there.
Whether that is easy or not, in my humble opinion is a relative concept (more than absolute as your video might lead some people to believe).
The 4.3m in Ozone wind range has a sweet spot around 20kt. If conditions are anywhere close to that sweet spot parawing is easy.If you deviate from those (onshore, gusty, choppy and sub 13-15kt) it's hard, even with an Ozone PR.I invite you to go on a real 12kt wind day and see yourself. If its still that easy, well hats off to you.
Select to expand quoteSlowlyButSurely said..MeonAsh said..
I'm three sessions into using the Pocket Rocket and parawinging for the first time.
I'll apologize upfront to those finding it difficult but both myself and my buddy I wing with (both winging for four years) found it really not difficult at all.
I did a couple of light wind taxiing off foil sessions to just get used to it and then the first day we had wind I was up and gybing both directions, sailing toe side, gybing both heel and toe side. The Pocket Rocket is great and I've just not found it difficult to do at all.
Here's a bit of a summary and some basic tips, I'll be doing more videos on it, probably tutorials to begin with ...
MeonAsh I love your videos. Some of the most informative out there. hands down. And I am very grateful that you took the time and patience to do so. I learnt tons by watching your videos.
but we are talking about different things here.
We all seem to agree on the fact that the Ozone Pocket Rocket is the most accessible pw out there.
Whether that is easy or not, in my humble opinion is a relative concept (more than absolute as your video might lead some people to believe).
The 4.3m in Ozone wind range has a sweet spot around 20kt. If conditions are anywhere close to that sweet spot parawing is easy.If you deviate from those (onshore, gusty, choppy and sub 13-15kt) it's hard, even with an Ozone PR.I invite you to go on a real 12kt wind day and see yourself. If its still that easy, well hats off to you.
I'm not going to disagree with you here - if you try to use a 4.3m in 13kts to 15kts then you are of course going to find it much harder.
Where I sail is definitely choppy and in the video I posted it was both choppy and gusty conditions. But there was ample wind and at times overpowered.
I have sailed in far less - 12 to 15kts.
Really you should be sizing up, I have used the 5m is exactly these winds and whilst a little harder to get going it was OK and once up there was enough power.
The difficulty in these lighter winds becomes board speed and gybing because as you sail at the parawing on the downwind leg of the gybe you basically overtake the wing and take all the tension out of the lines. You can tack instead to keep line tension or go for a down loop gybe but the problems start to mount in lighter winds - both getting up and then getting a successful gybe to stay up.
This is why I don't think parawinging is particularly aimed at lower wind strengths, it is far easier in the 15kts and higher wind range - and it's in these winds that you will start to get wind driven swell - which is really what the parawing is aimed towards, riding swell but without the complications of dragging an inflatable wing behind you or relying on just a paddle (which we can all agree is definitely hard).
On light wind days I would without a doubt pick winging over parawing - because I can do a lot more with a hand wing and much more comfortably. Where as the parawing in these conditions is going to be limiting and harder work.
Anyone got any real world experience to share on the 1.9m? Or even the 2.4m if that's more reasonable of a request?
There was a 1.9 out yesterday in some of the stronger winds. I'll see if I can get thoughts/reviews out of them.
25-40knots, very gusty in places. 65kg, 60L board, 825 foil.
As a comparison, similar weight / gear people were using anything from the 2.3 to the 2.9 Ka'a and felt underpowered.
Select to expand quotezarb said..
There was a 1.9 out yesterday in some of the stronger winds. I'll see if I can get thoughts/reviews out of them.
25-40knots, very gusty in places. 65kg, 60L board, 825 foil.
As a comparison, similar weight / gear people were using anything from the 2.3 to the 2.9 Ka'a and felt underpowered.
Interesting. I'm 86kg on 77l and felt pretty juiced, even overpowered in 25-40 on the 2.3 Ka'a for takeoffs but struggled upwind.
Yesterday averaged 30 knots gusting to maybe 42 at its peak on the gauge. Winged with the Silk 850 and a 2.5m wing and felt like the wing was almost irrelevant other than upwind needs. It definitely had me thinking about the PR yesterday... Would love to hear that riders full thoughts if it works out!
I saw nobody parawinging at Rufus yesterday except maybe three downwinders coming through. Also curious how this goes for upwind / downwind in conditions like yesterday. As of now I'll stick with the DW only part parawinging in winds over about 30. Super happy with my 2.5M wing for this.
The Rufus flow turned me away yesterday. 280k is less fun for me and my foils and the parawing feels a bit funky for me in those conditions. Stevenson of all places produced some historic swell yesterday and was an absolute blast. Parawing would have sliced it up.
Pulled the trigger. Ordered a 1.9m and 2.4m. Will update when I get them on the water.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..
Pulled the trigger. Ordered a 1.9m and 2.4m. Will update when I get them on the water.
Out of interest how do you like the Kaa, I was thinking of getting a 5.4. For lighter winds. Just got the 4.3 PR and only used it 3 times.
Select to expand quotergmacca said..BWalnut said..
Pulled the trigger. Ordered a 1.9m and 2.4m. Will update when I get them on the water.
Out of interest how do you like the Kaa, I was thinking of getting a 5.4. For lighter winds. Just got the 4.3 PR and only used it 3 times.
I got a 5.4 Ka'a and I'm quite happy with it, much better low end than the 4.2 Flow D-wing and is usable up until the wind is enough for the the D-wing. Light wind parawinging is of course going to be an effort, but it's great training and the Ka'a makes it worthwhile. Though I haven't flown any other parawings above 5 m, I believe that if one wants to go down the road of parawinging with a 5 meter or bigger parawing the BRMs are the way to go; the short lines, small bar and packability is important in these sizes.
@thatspec, my friend and i were getting laps and trying out the naish morph 3m at rufus on saturday....
Select to expand quoteJve said..rgmacca said..BWalnut said..
Pulled the trigger. Ordered a 1.9m and 2.4m. Will update when I get them on the water.
Out of interest how do you like the Kaa, I was thinking of getting a 5.4. For lighter winds. Just got the 4.3 PR and only used it 3 times.
I got a 5.4 Ka'a and I'm quite happy with it, much better low end than the 4.2 Flow D-wing and is usable up until the wind is enough for the the D-wing. Light wind parawinging is of course going to be an effort, but it's great training and the Ka'a makes it worthwhile. Though I haven't flown any other parawings above 5 m, I believe that if one wants to go down the road of parawinging with a 5 meter or bigger parawing the BRMs are the way to go; the short lines, small bar and packability is important in these sizes.
rgmacca, Jve hit the nail on the head I think. I only used the 2.3m Ka'a but found the short lines and packability to be excellent. I didn't find the upwind capability to be sufficient which is why I'm trying the Ozones. I've waffled a bit trying to sort my thoughts and goals but at the moment don't expect to ride anything bigger than the 2.5m sizes. I'll wing when it's 2.5m and bigger sizes.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..Jve said..rgmacca said..BWalnut said..
Pulled the trigger. Ordered a 1.9m and 2.4m. Will update when I get them on the water.
Out of interest how do you like the Kaa, I was thinking of getting a 5.4. For lighter winds. Just got the 4.3 PR and only used it 3 times.
I got a 5.4 Ka'a and I'm quite happy with it, much better low end than the 4.2 Flow D-wing and is usable up until the wind is enough for the the D-wing. Light wind parawinging is of course going to be an effort, but it's great training and the Ka'a makes it worthwhile. Though I haven't flown any other parawings above 5 m, I believe that if one wants to go down the road of parawinging with a 5 meter or bigger parawing the BRMs are the way to go; the short lines, small bar and packability is important in these sizes.
rgmacca, Jve hit the nail on the head I think. I only used the 2.3m Ka'a but found the short lines and packability to be excellent. I didn't find the upwind capability to be sufficient which is why I'm trying the Ozones. I've waffled a bit trying to sort my thoughts and goals but at the moment don't expect to ride anything bigger than the 2.5m sizes. I'll wing when it's 2.5m and bigger sizes.
I've only used the ozone a few times but found it goes up wind equally as well as my wings. The lines on the 4.3 do feel long to pack down smoothly( (land only) Im hoping for up wind laps, and playing about on a bigger PW just for fun and the challenge.
Select to expand quotergmacca said..
I've only used the ozone a few times but found it goes up wind equally as well as my wings. The lines on the 4.3 do feel long to pack down smoothly( (land only) Im hoping for up wind laps, and playing about on a bigger PW just for fun and the challenge.
Yeah that's why I'm excited about the Ozone. Gav mentioned in his BRM vs Ozone review that Ozone might be releasing a shorter line set in the future. No date mentioned. Ken Adgate mentioned on the FoilRat podcast that he shortened his 3m and larger Pocket Rocket lines by 9".
While I don't intend to get the bigger parawings I'd expect they will 100% make you a better parawinger. If you are proficient handling and packing big gear it just get's easier with little gear. Usually.
