S3 Single Skin Wind Range
While we would love to be able to define wind ranges in quantifiable absolutes, it’s not possible to offer a single wind range that is reasonably accurate for any two riders.
In our best effort to offer our best possible assistance to riders seeking to select a parawing size, we provide the below illustration of Greg’s wind range, based on specific gear and specific segments of his riding. The following descriptions from Greg are comparisons intended to be tools that you can use to calibrate for your individual, current riding variables.
Riding Application
For each size S3, this chart has four rows. To explain:
The top row is when I’m surfing and freeriding on my highly efficient 90 liter board.
The next row is for the same riding applications (surfing and freeride), but on my 60 liter board that doesn’t pump up as early.
The next row is when I’m purely downwinding on my 60 liter board. The upper range is much higher because I’m mostly using my parawing to get on foil and then stash (for as long as my limited skills allow).
The bottom row is when I upwind-wind, down-wind session on my 60 liter board. I have the same total range as when I’m surfing, but my ideal sweet spot is a bit higher for extra power to jam upwind.
Board Efficiency
I think that the biggest single variable in defining the low end range of any size parawing is the combination of board efficiency and rider technique.
I heard the expression, “riding the pain train” used to describe learning the skills of SUP-foil paddle-up. The awesome efficiency of that technique and equipment crosses over to amazing low end on a parawing. Very differently, technique and equipment crossed over from wingfoiling might require selecting a parawing one, two, or more, sizes larger.
When low end range is important to my session, I ride a highly efficient, 6’, 90 liter board. For sessions where the lowest part of my range isn’t a concern, I ride a 4’10”, 60 liter board. The chart here reflects how board selection affects my range.
Foil Efficiency
I ride a 1080 foil with early takeoff. Riders on small foils might ride one size larger parawing.
Rider Size
I’m around 170 pounds (~77 kg).
Riders around 50 pounds (~23 kg) lighter might ride one size smaller parawing.
Riders around 50 pounds heavier might ride one size larger parawing.
Parawing Riding Experience
I have thousands of sessions on foil, hundreds of them with a parawing.
Riders with less experience on foil and/or with a parawing might share a similar upper range range, however, need to ride one to two sizes larger at the low end of their range.
Discrepancies in Wind Reading
Even within a one mile stretch of the north shore of Maui, riders don’t agree on what the wind speed is. Speed reads differently depending exactly how and where it’s being measured, and readings at different locations fluctuate in different wind directions. Expand this to larger scales and there is no common language for any wind speed. We’ve done our best to present as accurately as we can based on our years of experience.
