Flying a Parawing is about managing power by controlling two things: the wing's position in the wind window and the bar. You tilt the front of the bar toward where you want to go, you sheet in to gain power, and you depower to release it. Everything else—takeoff, transitions, and turns—follows from these movements, always keeping tension in the lines.
Here's every command and every move, explained simply.
At a glance
| Maneuver | What it does |
|---|---|
| Steer | Tilt the front of the bar toward your desired direction |
| Manage power | Wing position in the wind window, plus bar angle |
| Sheet in | Increases power |
| Depower | Reduces power |
| Takeoff | Gets the wing flying |
| Relaunch | Gets the wing flying again after a fall |
| Toe side | Riding with weight on your toes |
| Gybe | Change direction downwind |
| Jibe | Successfully gybe while staying on the foil |
| Waterstart | Foil up from the water |
| Pumping | Generate lift through rhythmic pulses |
How to steer the wing left and right
To steer a Parawing, tilt the front of the bar in the direction you want to go. To send the wing right, tilt the front of the bar right; to go left, do the opposite. This works the same on all current Parawings. Keep the movement smooth and maintain tension in the lines: a sudden action deforms the profile and causes the wing to lose pressure.
Bruno's tip. The first thing to correct in a beginner is their front hand position. Pass the front lines between your index and middle finger on your front hand: you'll feel the wing and steer it precisely, instead of just reacting to it.
How to manage power
A Parawing's power depends first on where the wing is positioned in the wind window. The closer the wing is to the zenith, the less it pulls; the more it faces you, the more power it generates. The zenith is the neutral zone where the wing pulls the least and where you have the most control over maneuvers.
A Parawing's lines are short, typically 1.3 to 1.8 m depending on wing size. There's no point swinging the wing up and down in the wind window to pump power like you would with a long-line kite: it doesn't work. Don't confuse two different movements: swinging the wing in the window requires long lines and makes no sense on a Parawing; pumping on the wing, however, remains useful, especially at takeoff, as explained in our article why can't I take off on a Parawing.
To regain power once flying, position the wing lower in the wind window, then work the bar. On the FYNIX, you pull the bar and the PushBar System® restores the wing surface; on other systems, you tilt the bar toward the back to retension the rear lines.
In light wind, getting going early doesn't depend on a wing movement, but on your technique and equipment: foil size, board volume, and wing size.
How to sheet in
Sheeting in means pulling the bar toward you to increase the wing's angle of attack, and therefore its power. Do this smoothly, without jerking. Over-sheeting causes the wing to stall: find the point where power is maximum without the profile losing lift. On the FYNIX, sheeting in pulls the bar and the PushBar System® restores the wing surface for smooth, progressive power return. This is what you do to accelerate, foil up, or gain upwind capability.
How to depower
Depowering means reducing the wing's power. There are two approaches. On most Parawings, you release or tilt the bar to decrease the wing's angle of attack: power drops, but the movement range stays limited. On the FYNIX, you push the bar: the PushBar System® creates a center fold that reduces wing surface, and therefore power, more broadly and effectively, without changing the leading edge angle. In both cases, depowering is your control and safety command, and you need to manage it carefully to avoid suddenly closing the wing.
The FYNIX is the first Parawing with true dynamic sheet-in/depower thanks to the PushBar System®: the lines slide inside the 32 cm carbon bar and change the wing's geometry in real time. (PushBar System®: registered trademark, patent pending.)
How to launch
Launching means deploying the wing and getting it flying. Leading edge facing the wind, let the air inflate it and give it shape, then guide it to one side of the wind window where it builds power in a controlled way. Don't try to takeoff from the zenith: that's where the wing pulls the least.
How to relaunch
Relaunching means getting the wing flying again after a fall or closure. Don't pull hard all at once. Point the wing toward the edge of the wind window, gently tension the lines to restore its shape, then bring it back into the wind and sheet in gradually. Patience prevents you from closing it again immediately.
How to foil up from the water (waterstart)
Waterstart means foiling up from the water. Position yourself on the board, sheet in gradually to build power, let the board accelerate, then stand up keeping your weight centered. Foil lift comes from speed: wait for enough speed before weighting your front foot. On a Parawing, you ride fairly voluminous boards, which makes weight distribution easier to manage. On very small boards, front foot control becomes more sensitive. If you're still at that stage, our guide how to get started on a Parawing covers the complete progression.
How to pump (Pumping)
Pumping means giving vertical and forward pulses with your board and foil to generate lift, takeoff, or stay flying when power is low. The motion comes from your legs and core, broad and rhythmic, never jerky. On a Parawing, a few pumps help you foil up, then the wing takes over.
How to stabilize the wing once flying
Once the foil is flying, don't chase maximum power but look for steady traction. Bring the wing slightly higher, toward the edge of the wind window, and ease off tension to let it drive forward while producing just enough. A wing left too low pulls constantly and tires you without helping your ride.
How to ride toe side
Riding toe side means gliding with your body facing the board, weight on your toes, instead of on your heels. Your body faces the wing, your eyes forward, hips engaged to hold the rail. This is the key position for chaining turns and transitions without changing feet.
How to gybe on a Parawing
Gybing means changing direction by passing the wing and board downwind. Gybing happens downwind, when power is lowest and therefore most manageable. Keep your speed to stay on the foil, and gently sheet in again once the wing relaunches on the other side.
How to jibe on a Parawing
Jibing means successfully gybing while staying on the foil without falling back in the water. The key is entry speed: the faster you're going, the more lift the foil keeps during the turn. Bring the wing to the other side at the right tempo, stay light on your feet, ride toe side or change feet, then sheet in to drive out with power.
How to neutralize and stow the wing downwind
One of the big advantages of a Parawing is being able to neutralize the wing once flying to surf only the swell's energy. When the foil is lifting and the swell pushes you, you ease the wing and gather it in, making sure not to put the lines in the water, then redeploy it when you need power again. We detail this technique in our Downwind Parawing guide.
Single-skin or double-skin: what's the difference in flying?
Flying changes based on wing construction. A double-skin is smoother and less sudden, but it generates less power at low speed. A single-skin, like the FYNIX, offers more power, with a bit more drag, so slightly lower top speed. If it falls, a double-skin can take water into its compartments: you have to empty it before relaunching. These differences apply to all Parawings regardless of brand.
The most common flying mistakes
- Front hand position wrong. This is the most common beginner mistake: the front lines must pass between your index and middle finger on your front hand. If held incorrectly, you lose fine control of the wing.
- Pulling the back of the bar. If you pull too far back, the wing moves back in the window instead of forward.
- Over-sheeting when the wing weakens. A stalling wing is almost always over-sheeted: you've pulled the rear lines too hard. The right reflex isn't to sheet in more, but to give it speed again.
Frequently asked questions
How do you turn right or left on a Parawing?
Tilt the front of the bar in the direction you want to go. Right to go right, left to go left. This works the same on all current Parawings.
Do you need to swing the wing to build power?
No. A Parawing's lines are too short, typically 1.3 to 1.8 m depending on size: swinging the wing in the window like you would on a long-line kite doesn't work. Don't confuse this with pumping on the wing, which remains useful, especially at takeoff. Once flying, power comes from the wing's position in the wind window and the bar.
Is sheeting in the same as accelerating?
Sheeting in increases power, which lets you accelerate, but the foil also needs to be flying for your speed to build.
Why is my wing moving backward?
You're pulling too hard on the back of the bar. Rebalance your pull toward the front so the wing returns to its place in the wind window.
Does depowering close the wing?
Not if it's controlled. Depowering too hard can lose line tension and cause a closure.
Where should I position the wing to start?
To one side of the wind window where it pulls in a controlled way. The zenith is where the wing pulls the least, save it for managing a maneuver.
Does flying change based on wing size?
Yes. The smaller the wing, the more responsive it is: be more precise with your weight. A larger wing is more forgiving.
Gybe or tack: what's the difference?
A gybe goes downwind, a tack goes into the wind. Both change direction, but they take opposite paths.
Why do I fall back at the jibe?
Most often it's from not enough entry speed, or because the wing loses power at the wrong moment during the turn.
Why can't I foil up at waterstart?
Most often it's from not enough speed or power: sheet in more and let the board accelerate before you stand up.
About the author
Bruno Sroka is a three-time world champion in Kitesurfing and Kitefoil. Cape Horn crossing (2008), English Channel record (2012), France-Ireland link 444 km (2013). Former PE teacher, he is the founder of SROKA Company, a Breton brand for foil, Wing foil, SUP and Parawing, and designer of the PushBar System®.
To understand the physics: why it moves forward and why it stalls. Useful definitions: wind window, bridle system, angle of attack. Choosing your gear: how to choose your Parawing. After the session: how to care for your Parawing. Discover the FYNIX Parawing.
