Older, intermediate winger starting the parawing journey in Hood River. I am using a +10L midlength board for winging and already know I will really struggle with getting on foil with a PW, especially when the water is wonky. I figure the best way to do this is to commit to a downwinder in the beginning and use a PW that has very good low end and can provide some “stability” as I get to my feet. I am not even thinking about upwind or high end right now. Based on what I have learned, I am thinking either a Quest or a Power Pack. Thoughts or other options appreciated.
The Quest stands out as the easiest PW to learn from what I’ve seen with people struggling on others then ripping on Quests.
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I’ve been learning with the pocket rocket V1’s. Riding a Kalama gator. I only learnt the basics on a LEI wing in order to move onto the PW, and the pocket rockets have been fine. Maybe more prone to tangles from what I’ve read but it’s really not a show stopper if you can get one for the right price.?
I believe that getting to my feet is easier with para than lei because I have a free hand to stabilize and help go up from lunge position on board. Your +10 should be fine. I am on BRM S3 paras now and can’t say enough about how easy it is to pump and get on foil compared to all other paras I have tried. Don’t bother with the downwinder. If I were starting I would go to Viento where the water is pretty flat and you can just sit down and the river will take you back upwind. The S3’s go upwind and have a bigger range than lei wings too. This is a remarkable change in what previous paras offered. Enjoy the journey, its not that hard anymore with the S3.
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How much foiling experience did you have before starting with an lei wing? Were you a prone foiler prior?
Yes primarily a prone foiler, then learned to wing and sup dw paddle at the same time. Got foil brained real bad. Now learning to parawing.