In brief. A Parawing that falls in the water restarts in three steps: recover the bar, check that the lines are not tangled, then identify the Leading edge. If it's facing the sky, gently pull on the front lines to empty the water pocket. If it's in the water, grab the wing in your hands to empty it and put it back in the right direction. Method always beats force.
Your Parawing has fallen flat, it's filled with water and it's sticking to the surface. First thing to know: it's not serious. It happens to everyone, regardless of level. The key to getting going again is not strength, it's method. Observe, analyze, then act in the right direction. Here's how to relaunch your wing with certainty.
When it happens, and why it's not serious
Most often, it comes from a crash, a fall during a turn, or the wind weakening. Dropping the bar is rarer. In any case, rest assured: even the best riders put 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 any gesture, observe. The worst mistake is to pull randomly and force: it only makes the situation worse. Take a second, understand how your wing is positioned on the water, then act with precision. In Parawing, method always beats force.
The sequence to relaunch your wing
- Recover the bar in your hand.
- Check that your lines are not tangled.
- Identify the Leading edge: it's what dictates the maneuver.
If the Leading edge is facing 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, grab the wing in your hands to empty it and put it back in the right direction. You can help yourself by pulling on the lines to be more effective.
Emptying the wing, the step we forget
If there's water in the Leading edge, you must empty it, otherwise the wing won't take off. Grab the bridle at the front to evacuate the water pocket, gently. Above all, don't pull like a brute: it doesn't work.
If the wing sticks to the surface, grab it in your hands and shake it to relaunch it in the air, avoiding it touching the water again. And in light wind, shake it too to dry it a little: it greatly facilitates relaunching. It's up to you to analyze the situation to choose the right move.
Strong wind or Light wind, it changes everything
In strong wind, once the wing is emptied and in the right position, it relaunches easily. In Light wind, it's more delicate: the wing struggles to restart. Be then gentler and more precise in your gestures, 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 drink water
The fabric of the FYNIX is a light sail of 30g/m², naturally hydrophobic: it doesn't absorb water. As a result, the wing stays light even after going through water. And the lighter a wing, the easier it relaunches. Against a classic wing that drinks water and gets heavier, it's a real gain on every relaunch. A sign to know: if your wing relaunches less well from the water and seems heavier after a fall, it's because 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 don't have to do. Avoid flat crashes, do your turns properly and anticipate when the wind weakens. You'll never completely eliminate wing falls, but you'll space them out much more. The piloting moves that avoid them are detailed in how to pilot a Parawing.
The mistake I see all the time
Rushing. Most problems come from a lack of method, not a lack of strength. Observe, analyze, understand what's happening, then act in the right direction. That's it. A wing fallen in the water is never a real problem: it's just a maneuver to execute properly.
In summary
A Parawing in the water happens to everyone. Recover your bar, identify the Leading edge, empty the water pocket and relaunch with precision. Method rather than strength, and you'll get going every time. If the fall also separated you from your board, see getting back on your board in Parawing. For the rest of your questions, the guide to 30 essential questions about Parawing is there.
Frequently asked questions
What to do when your Parawing falls in the water?
Recover the bar in your hand, check that the lines are not tangled, then identify the Leading edge: it's what dictates the maneuver. Never pull randomly, observe first.
How to relaunch a Parawing when the Leading edge is facing 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 to relaunch a Parawing when the Leading edge is in the water?
Grab the wing in your hands to empty it and put it back in the right direction. You can help yourself by pulling on the lines, but always gently.
How to empty water from a Parawing?
Grab the front bridle to evacuate the water pocket, gently. If the wing sticks to the surface, grab it in your hands and shake it to relaunch it in the air, avoiding it touching the water again.
Why doesn't my wing relaunch in Light wind?
Because it lacks flow to resume its shape, and because water remaining in the fabric weighs it down. Be gentler and more precise in your gestures, and shake the wing to dry it a little before relaunching.
Can a Parawing that falls in the water be damaged?
No, a flat fall doesn't damage the wing. What wears it out is sand rubbed on the fabric, UV and damp storage. It's maintenance, not the fall, that determines its lifespan.
About the author
Bruno Sroka is triple world champion in Kitesurf and Kitefoil, former PE teacher and founder of SROKA Company. An extreme adventurer, he sailed across Cape Horn in 2008, set the English Channel record in Kitesurf in 2012 and completed the 444 km France-Ireland link in 2013. He co-developed the FYNIX Parawing and the PushBar System® to make performance accessible to all.
