MESSAGE FROM GREG

For the first seven years, BRM only offered the Cloud kite, optimized specifically for strapless hydrofoil boardriding. Adding the W1 wing in 2020 greatly expanded options to a wide range of riders.  

At the bookends of the rider range, the addition of wings offered first-timers an easier entry into hydrofoil riding, and seasoned foilers a big step in exploring greater freedom to surf and downwind.

BRM’s development of the parawing was not with an intent to introduce a new category.  We were solely focused on finding design solutions to make performance improvements to our wings. Informed by our years of kite design, we aspired to reduce the weight and drag of the inflatable wing’s large leading edge by replacing it with bridle lines.

This new approach opened up the possibility to collapse and stow the wing, launching a revolution in the downwind category, as well as, more recently, foilsurfing. This excitement overshadows what we feel are gains to so many aspects of winging, including for beginners.

Looking at parawings from an outside perspective of winging on a conventional inflatable wing, we understand that all you see might be “too many lines”. From the other perspective, now long enough inside the parawing box, 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.  

Like kids having fun flying a kite in the park, parawings can be fun all-around, not limited to hardcore downwind experts. We hope that you’ll give it a try. And, from our side, we certainly have not ruled-out developing inflatable wings again in the future should we discover an advantage they offer that we don’t find in a parawing. We’ll continue to innovate wherever performance advancements take us.