In short. A parawing that has gone down in the water relaunches in three steps: grab the bar, check that the lines are not tangled, then identify the leading edge. If it is pointing up to the sky, gently pull on the front lines to empty the water pocket. If it is in the water, take the wing in your hands to empty it and turn it the right way round. Method always beats strength.
Your parawing has gone flat, it has filled with water and it is stuck to the surface. First thing to know: it's not serious. It happens to everyone, whatever the level. The key to getting going again is not force, it's method. Observe, analyze, then act in the right direction. Here is how to relaunch your wing every time.
When it happens, and why it's not serious
Most often, it comes from a crash, a fall during a tack, or the wind dropping. Letting go of the bar is rarer. In every case, don't worry: even the best riders end up with their wing in the water. It's a simple setback, not a problem. Everything depends on how you handle it.
Rule number one: analyze before acting
Before making any move, observe. The worst mistake is to pull any which way and force it: that only makes the situation worse. Take a second, understand how your wing is lying on the water, then act with precision. In parawing, method always beats strength.
The sequence to relaunch your wing
- Grab the bar in your hand.
- Check that your lines are not tangled.
- Identify the leading edge: it is what dictates the maneuver.
If the leading edge is pointing up to the sky, this is the simplest situation. Gently pull on the front lines to empty the water pocket, and the wing relaunches.
If the leading edge is in the water, with water trapped inside, take the wing in your hands to empty it and turn it the right way round. You can help yourself by pulling on the lines to be more effective.
Emptying the wing, the step everyone forgets
If there is water in the leading edge, you must empty it, otherwise the wing won't take off. Grab the front bridle to drain the water pocket, gently. Above all, don't yank like a brute: it doesn't work.
If the wing is stuck to the surface, take it in your hands and shake it to relaunch it in the air, making sure it doesn't touch the water again. And in light wind, shake it too to dry it a bit: it makes relaunching noticeably easier. It's up to you to analyze the situation and choose the right move.
Strong wind or light wind, it changes everything
In strong wind, once the wing is emptied and the right way round, it relaunches easily. In light wind, it's trickier: the wing struggles to get going again. Then be softer and more precise in your moves, otherwise it will stay on the ground. It's in light wind that finesse makes all the difference.
The FYNIX advantage: a wing that doesn't soak up water
The fabric of the FYNIX is a lightweight 30 g/m² high-tenacity ripstop, naturally hydrophobic: it doesn't soak up water. As a result, the wing stays light even after a dunk in the water. And the lighter a wing is, the easier it relaunches. Compared with a classic wing that soaks up water and gets heavier, this is a real gain on every relaunch. One sign to watch for: if your wing relaunches less well after a dunk and seems heavier after a fall, the coating is wearing out. Everything is explained in our guide on maintaining your parawing.
How to avoid it?
The best relaunch is the one you never have to do. Avoid flat crashes, work on your tacks and anticipate when the wind drops. You will never completely eliminate falls into the wing, but you will space them out a lot. The riding techniques that avoid them are detailed in how to fly a parawing.
The mistake I see all the time
Rushing. Most of the trouble comes from a lack of method, not a lack of strength. Observe, analyze, understand what's happening, then act in the right direction. That's all. A wing that has gone into the water is never a real problem: it's just a maneuver to carry out cleanly.
In summary
A parawing in the water happens to everyone. Grab your bar, identify the leading edge, empty the water pocket and relaunch with precision. Method rather than force, and you get going again every time. If the fall also separated you from your board, see getting back on your board in parawing. For any other questions, the guide to the 30 essential questions about parawing is there for you.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do when your parawing falls in the water?
Grab the bar in your hand, check that the lines are not tangled, then identify the leading edge: it is what dictates the maneuver. Never pull at random, observe first.
How do you relaunch a parawing when the leading edge is pointing up to the sky?
This is the simplest situation. Gently pull on the front lines to empty the water pocket, and the wing relaunches on its own.
How do you relaunch a parawing when the leading edge is in the water?
Take the wing in your hands to empty it and turn it the right way round. You can help yourself by pulling on the lines, but always gently.
How do you drain the water from a parawing?
Grab the front bridle to drain the water pocket, gently. If the wing is stuck to the surface, take it in your hands and shake it to relaunch it in the air, making sure it doesn't touch the water again.
Why doesn't my wing relaunch in light wind?
Because it lacks airflow to regain its shape, and because the water left in the fabric makes it heavier. Be softer and more precise in your moves, and shake the wing to dry it a bit before relaunching.
Can a parawing that falls in the water be damaged?
No, a flat fall does not damage the wing. What wears it out is sand rubbed into the fabric, UV exposure and storing it damp. Maintenance, not the fall, determines its lifespan.
About the author
Bruno Sroka, triple world champion, four-time European champion and triple French champion in kitesurfing. Kitesurfing crossing of Cape Horn (2008), English Channel record (2012), France-Ireland crossing of 444 km (240 nautical miles) in 16 h 40 (2013). Former PE teacher, founder of SROKA Company, a Brittany-based brand of foil, wing foil, SUP and parawing. Designer of the PushBar System® with Gaël Contal, SROKA ambassador who came up with the idea of sheet in / sheet out.
