Parawing & Competitions

[Matt]

This is a great post, and likely the best thought out take on this I’ve seen

@EmeryThrill

• Compact-kite racing: Allow the full expression of it (double skins always deployed) as a more compact version of kite racing that has potentially to be more interesting to watch due to closer proximity tacks, gybes, slalom etc that is harder to bring to life on TV with traditional foil kite racing. Size limits on parawing area and line length (i.e. a box rule) would force larger foils and boards, while keeping riders and their parawings in frame for spectating and video.

I’m pretty anti this as a thing as mentioned here because it will just look like more GKA stuff, but because it is cheaper, less technical it could be more fun. I’d enforce a strict “stock car” aspect to this, where everything is strictly locked down to remove the money aspect, and the speed, and just make like dinghy racing with short stacked laps that keep the field together. Kite foil racing where they tangle kites just looks stupid so this could be a good solution to make it more interesting and accessible.

I’d still guess the kite GWA crew will try something here when they need something new

@EmeryThrill

• [MY FAVORITE] Bring DW Freestyle & DW Race closer to spectators. Open up a GKA style event by allowing competitors to quickly lap and shred between gates at locations like The Hatchery. You could have freestyle (e.g. similar to the head to head video Josh Ku made) or racing (wing must be stowed between start finish), but would sacrifice the big journey racing format for something closer to drag-race/NASCAR (e.g. Elimination rounds would take fastest async times, final would be head to head 1v1). Competitors wouldnt be required to get back upwind via parawing, but it seems like it would facilitate the heats well. Parawing is totally incidental to isolating unpowered riding close to shore, or in the best conditions. It essentially brings surf-foil competition to additional locations.

This could work, and I think likely the best format. In the Hatchery or Maliko this could make sense, with a 1km gate and drones to follow.

• Freestyle would have limited broader appeal unless it includes straps, Ridge Lenny example, to make it at least look interesting from the drone. Otherwise more fluid surf style? I dunno, it all seems rather soon to start forming judging criteria on this. Must you ride a bump? Points for airs? Points for backflips? Straps vs no-straps? All gets a bit confusing to the viewer.
• Racing
  • Sprints, which would be interesting, but maybe a dull. They did flat water sprints at AWSI, which looked interesting, a 1km race would be pretty dull I think, but hey why not. They do sprints on every other craft.
  • Course, as @Zarb describes, basically like GWA wing racing where they have the pump section, but make it 70% stowed to make it slightly less sailing oriented.
• Wave riding - this could be interesting, as it removes the need to chip in, which opens up more locations. Waves like Cape Verde would be super interesting, and a huge improvement on the winging.

If you are in a spot with less steep bumps, or short or no waves then this becomes much less interesting, but likely always possible so would make a good standard format.

In short, doing something that encourages riding like Jack below seems worth doing, seems a pity that it isn’t happening at the Gorge this year

Foiling Rufus 🌞

@EmeryThrill

• Leverage Parawings for dw paddle race safety + adventure. Parawings haven’t yet been incorporated into safety requirements (e.g. Waive a boat requirement for M2O if you have the standard wingracer kit - Garmin+PFD+phone → Paddler’s could have the same backup if they carry a parawing). There’s also just an awesome opportunity to invite casual adventurers into these sports via parawing, whether that’s supported crossings w/ Parawings, or multi-day circuits down the Brazilian coast with parawings.

This to my eyes is the only thing that will appeal to the broader intermediate public as participants, and also the only thing that is inherently interesting to the outsider in my opinion because of the novelty.

multi-day circuits down the Brazilian coast with parawings

only thing I’d pay money to attend.

Hopefully there is a way that the existing downwind events add PW as an option to their formats. I’ve sold my 8’11 DW board, likely will have shifted all my racier foils. I could still paddle up at a push, but less convinced I should maintain that skill.

I know that almost none of the DW crew would be interested in anything but this last option as attendees. Everyone on the attendee side is looking for an adventure not a chore