Parawing Session - 7/11/2026

Needed to hit the grocery store, so I pushed my water session to the afternoon and went to Hickam.

Zach, Naomi, and Matt were in different stages of coming in.

There was some texture on the water - and Zach said it was blowing east.  But you could tell it was up and down.  And I had my suspicions that it would twist.

I wanted to test out the Flysurfer POW V1 2.5m so I used No.34 with the AFS Enduro 1100/HA40 on the 80cm UHM mast.  For backup I took the BRM S3 4.2m

Yes - I did say Flysurfer POW V1 2.5m

I found a great deal on the 2.5 and a 1.7 from Greenhat Kiteboarding - and I picked these up for the Gorge trip in late August. 

I started the session with this PW up, but the wind was not materializing for the 2.5

I swapped it out for the BRM S3 4.2

There were holes in the wind, but for the most part, the 4.2 was perfect for the wind today.  And I bet it would have been nicer to fly in yesterday's session also.

I really appreciate how stable the 4.2 S3 is - it really is a magic size (just like the Triple Seven PT Hybrid 4.3 is magic).

I forced myself to start tacking again.  By the end of the session I was jibing dry on the outside legs, and still getting field stripped on the inside.

Those points are tacks.

The wind did not feel this consistent.

So a few of these down slots are my botched jibes, but some are also the wind holes.

And the run I made outside to Firsts - I tried catching two waves but the wind was not cooperating, and I didn't want to risk that paddle in.

I like the AFS Enduro 1100 with the HA40 - the Mako Carve Pro Medium was a little pitchy for this setup.

I may go back again tomorrow (depending on Noe's arrival time).

PF:8/W:3/PW:75/FD:53/S:20

Parawing Session - 7/10/2026

Conditions similar to yesterday - especially the shifty winds and the high tide.

The surf has come down - but if you were patient - there were sneaker sets still coming through.

Same board/foil - back to the BRM S3 5.3

The wind was slightly better - at least there was less up and down.

When I launched, I was good with the BRM S3 5.3 - but as the session went on, the issue became the strong gusts coming through - wishing I had the 4.2.  But then the wind would slack and I was glad to have the 5.3

And you can see the wind shift in these charts.  That was the hard part - the wind was swirling and the parawing wouldn't hold shape.

Before the wind shift, I was able to get several retracted PW runs.  And miraculously those were lined up with some of the larger waves (longer runs on taller, more energetic waves).

Prayot was out using the Ozone PR V2 5.0 that I just fixed, but he forgot his harness.  If I was getting blasted with my harness on - he was using gorilla arms.

Derek and Roland came out on wings later.  Everyone was lining up more parallel to the beach after the wind shift.

These last two runs of wind have definitely had big ups/downs and directional swings.

More comparisons between the S3 and the Maliko.  The S3 is way more stable in flight.  With the handle and harnessed in, the S3 has a pretty big range (also tied to the canopy stability - and that is a direct result of the additional upper bridle lines).

Neither likes swirly wind.

The bigger sizes need more meticulous packing to increase the chances of successful redeploying.

The upper bridle lines on the S3 like to grab the end sections of the canopy - which sometimes makes the launching process a little longer.

Fun session (even if a little frustrating with the wind shift... how do you even rig for that???? - backpack with the next smaller size and frequent swaps???)

PF:8/W:3/PW:74/FD:53/S:20

Parawing Session - 7/9/2026

I got home from work and there was wind blowing - but it wasn't as strong as the past couple of days.

By the time I got to the beach, it seemed to have filled in a bit.

Waves were definitely down in size (but again - some sneaker sets coming through).

Same board and foil as the past couple of sessions.

I changed the PW from the BRM S3 over to the BRM Maliko.  I wanted to change things up and get a more direct comparison between these two PWs.

I primarily used the 5.1, but I had the 4.0 in a plastic bag out with me.

The beginning of the session saw good wind.  During a few runs I had contemplated swapping out the 5.1 for the 4.0 - but didn't because the wind didn't stay on for more than a few minutes at the higher strength.

The belt I had on went through multiple failures.  First it came off by becoming unbuckled.  Then the cleat that holds the leash on popped off.  And lastly it kept sagging.  But I made it work.  I needed to use this specific belt because of the reverse J hook.

I got a few great retracted rides early on.  Not as good as the previous two days - but still really good.

Then the wind took a turn for the worst.  It was still blowing, but it did not have any push to it.  I spent more time trying to get into a wind stream to get back up and over to the launch.

It took forever, but I finally caught a gust towards the last cabin.  I rode that wind back to the first lifeguard tower and eventually picked up another gust to get back above Fenceline.  I did a final retract and headed in.

Thsoe blue lines were my first class ticket on the struggle bus. 

This chart was not indicative of what was out on the water.

Looks like 35-65 up verses down.

So in a nutshell - the BRM S3 has more control, way less fluttering, launches off the water way easier, stays in the air better.  The Maliko seems to have more raw power (but also gets overpowered faster), is simpler to fly, and redeploys easier.

With the bar mod on the Maliko, it wants to stay further up in the wind window flying off the front lines.

The way I fly the S3, it sometimes sits at a weird angle near the front of the wind window - only when it is underpowered.  This is likely more me than the parawing - but time will tell.

Typing this after the session - I feel like I work harder flying the Maliko - my arms, back and hands feel more strained.  But the Maliko is still fun to fly! 

PF:8/W:3/PW:73/FD:53/S:20

Garage Works - 7/8/2026

This is why I was late getting to the beach.

It is pretty rare when the garage doesn't have any cars in it!!!!

I've had these two blanks templated now for multiple days - but haven't had the opportunity to get the excess cut away.

I think I may have a similar opportunity tomorrow - if yes, I'll use the electric planer to get the template tight and skin the top and bottom decks.

It's been a while since I've worked on two boards simultaneously - and I recall not liking that process....

I may focus on the midlength - and if it works better than No.34, I'll bring the older one to the gorge and keep it up in the NW staged and ready to go.  This one will preserve the majority of the blank foam by keeping flat surfaces (instead of the rounding I have typically been doing), and also giving the tail more rocker.  I'm thinking blending what I did with No.34 (and 40 and 43), with some Appletree Skipper and Duotone Paradox.

And then I can work on the new prone board when I get back.  Which is going to be a modern version of No.24

I also received two Flysurfer POW V1 parawings today - I found a lightly used 1.7 and 2.5 at Green Hat Kiteboarding - and I needed something I would feel familiar with, yet would work in screaming winds (without me having had time on them).  And knowing when I get back, it will be rare that I actually use these small parawings (except maybe for trips to Maui) so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on them.  These seemed to fit the bill perfectly!!!

I'll post pictures later. 

Parawing Session - 7/8/2026

I got to the beach later than normal - next post is why.

The wind line was a lot further out than normal - but it looked strong.

The surf was down from yesterday, but there was still energy moving around.

Same gear as yesterday - but I went ahead and replaced the North adjustable head screws with normal countersunk bolts.

Same parawing as yesterday as well.

I actually forgot all of my stash bags - so I didn't have a harness.  I figured it would be a good opportunity to test my parawing handling skills - knowing when to bleed power and edging harder to deal with the stronger blows.

I also told myself I'll just do a shorter session today - so I don't put myself into a position where I get hurt because I'm tired.

Well - the waves were breaking much bigger on the outside - and I picked up four big ones (and botched one where the parawing field stripped me).

Two of these waves were much bigger and I was able to ride them for way longer than normal.  I took the second big one all the way back inside.

So without a harness/stash bag, there were a few stints that I would have appreciated a hook in - but otherwise it wasn't much of an issue.

What was worse was redeploying the parawing.  I really got two redeploys in - and got field stripped the rest of the time.  I'm sure it is the packing job - I'm going to have to figure this out.

So from that feedback and the wind chart, the BRM S3 4.2 is great in 17 to 25 mph winds.

Ridiculous fun today!!!

Norm did a WP-PV parawing run - used his Ozone Pocket Rocket 5.0 V1

Zach was out earlier on his windsurfer

And Roland was launching as I was headed back to the beach.

Tomorrow should see similar conditions to today.  I'll try not for forget my stash bag.

PF:8/W:3/PW:72/FD:53/S:20

Parawing Session - 7/7/2026

It was windy all day today -

Got home and packed up for a strong wind session!

Decided to use the Cabrinha Prestige 905/Union 160 Rear Stabilizer - mounted on to No.34 via the Cabrinha Apex 78cm mast.

Power provided by the BRM S3 4.2

The wind was still weird.  Way up, then way down.  The S3 4.2 was the right size for today - but during some gusts, the S3 3.4 would have been nice.

At least the direction was relatively steady.

Norm launched from PVs and rode upwind to Fenceline.  He rode a bunch but then headed back to avoid getting stuck.

The waves were big - like breaking outside on the 3rd reef big.

I paddled further than I needed to - but I didn't want to deal with launching the parawing in an area where I would have to contend with white water.

The first part of my session was trying to find the safe riding zone - where I could catch and ride waves without getting smashed.

I did catch a few runners with the parawing retracted - one was really long - felt like a monster was chasing me (but I got in some good carves).  

Back half of the session was just trying not to blow away in the strong gusts ripping through.

On the inside, I was down loop jibing more than regular jibing.  I was tempted to try tacking onto a wave - but I figured I should wait for a less big day to reduce the consequences of a botched maneuver.

The down time slots were due to lulls.  But overall I was up more than I was down.  And I didn't get smashed!

I figured I had a good session and should end it on a high note.

Wind will be up for the next several days

PF:8/W:3/PW:71/FD:53/S:20

Garage Works - Parawing Repair - 7/6/2026

Prayot blew the stitches out of his Ozone Pocket Rocket V2 5.0

And I sewed it back up

Flies just like nothing happened!

Parawing Session - 7/5/2026

I went to pick up a second hand Foil Drive High Output rotor - then picked up Kalani and Stu at the NEX parking lot

I brought No.40 - which I'm thinking of taking to the gorge in August.  AFS Enduro 1100/Mako Carve Pro Medium/80cm UHM mast - power provided by the BRM S3 4.2

Another day of crazy winds - up/down - swirly and everything in between.

I spent the first runs trying to get my bearings - wind was not making it easy.

After several runs, and multiple jibes - I went out to Firsts.  The waves were supposed to be pretty sizeable.  I was able to get a few - but no retracting - wind was directly offshore.

I also worked on both tacks - and at the end of the session I was sailing out of the tacks

Crazy wind - but the 4.2 handled nicely

There is plenty of wind on the horizon... just hope it settles out and is less crazy.

PF:8/W:3/PW:70/FD:53/S:20

Garage Works - 7/5/2026

I had a few minutes in the garage to get the new blank templated.

I am going to build a slightly longer version of No.34 - with more nose and tail rocker. 

Not much more tail rocker than what is already on No.34 - but enough to help this board pump on to foil.

If I finish this one ahead of the Gorge trip, I may bring No.34 and have it prepositioned up in the NW.

Parawing Dawn Patrol - 7/4/2026

Forecast favored Kailua - but reality did not match the forecast.

There was texture on the water when I was setting up - but that quickly changed.

And the parking lot was pretty crowded - the 4th of July brings everyone out to the beach.  The "tent'icles were all out and more were coming.  I actually don't like going to most beaches on holidays... too crowded and people are everywhere.

AFS Enduro 1100/Mako Pro Medium on No.34.  BRM S3 5.3 for power - but I actually needed more...

So to start - I didn't get skunked, but I wasn't far from it.

The wind was just below the lower limit of the Enduro 1100 - S3 5.3

I did get up on one gust and was getting along fine on the lower wind level.

I jibed on the outside, caught a wave, retracted the parawing and started riding the wave.  But it was mushing out and when I tried to redeploy the parawing, down I went.

And that was the end of foiling for today.  I spent the rest of the time paddling or hoping the gust was enough.

I did not do the walk of shame - but did have to paddle back.

I don't think the Enduro 1300 would have helped - the wind was just too light.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  Lately it's been a losing proposition as the wind has been fluky.

Probably a sign to start prone foiling again... 

PF:8/W:3/PW:69/FD:53/S:20