BRM KA'A Parawing

SKU: 253671003
Manufacturers: BRM

Size: 3.6m²

4.2m²

4.8m²

5.4m²

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Description

With radically short lines, the versatile Ka’a has great range and instantaneous responsiveness and stow/deploy making it optimal both for surfing and “stow/deploy” downwinding.

From a riding application perspective, the Ka’a is the most similar to the original Maliko due to the flight character of its aspect ratio and the rapid stow/deploy of its very short line length.

at a glance
SECOND GENERATION SINGLE SKIN PERFORMANCE

The three models are optimized for different riding disciplines. While each has its unique characteristics, they share multiple design and performance advancements.

AUTOMATIC STABILITY
Contrasting its collapsible stow ability, rider bar input is no longer required to preserve full flight stability

EXTENDED WIND RANGE
Reliable stability and comfort expands riding options into far higher power ranges and radically smaller sized boards and foils

CONTROLLED POWER DELIVERY
A prescribed amount of power is retained for more consistent pull getting onto foil and for upwind drive once on foil

ERGONOMIC BALANCE
Excess pressure on the bar’s trim angle was eliminated, with added hand positioning space balanced on the center of power

ULTRA COMPACT
Gains in mini pack size and stow/deploy performance super-charged by radically short bar and best-in-class canopy material

VISUAL & TACTILE IDENTIFIERS
Leading edge accent color, color coded front lines, and asymmetric bar design for identification of front vs. back

2025 SINGLE SKIN PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

With crossover from mature paraglider single-skin designs, we felt that we had approached parawing’s full performance potential when the Maliko launched last August. Since then, we’ve continued to give 100% of our focus to parawings, and, informed by feedback from so many passionate riders, along with our own daily riding addiction, we’ve gained important understandings in optimizing performance that are fundamentally different from what had crossed over from paraglider design and are specific to uniquely different parawing riding applications.

Because some advanced riders fly their parawing for less than one minute before stowing it for a 45 minute single send downwind, they are served by the Maliko 2’s performance, very different from my far lesser downwind skills being served by the super rapid deploy performance of the Ka’a, different from what any of us are best served by if we’re riding long distances upwind to access our downwind run on the Kanaha.

To serve these riding differences, we dug crazy deep to further refine line lengths and arc shapes affecting power vs. responsiveness, panel count and resulting line count affecting performance flying vs. packing, canopy and patching materials and spliced vs. sleeved bridle line types affecting stow comfort and pack size vs. deploy speed, line tangle, shrinking, durability, and safety, as well as entirety re-imagining and re-developing our bar systems.

Contrary to our new bar’s simple appearance, its precise functions are integral parts of the the advancements in power delivery and wing stability for this second generation of performance. The “B” bridle lines now connect to a yoke of fixed geometry that controls the exact nature of B-position travel relative to the A and C lines in order to adjust the mid and rear canopy profile sections independently at differing angles of attack.

Sheeted-in to higher AOA, the yoke accelerates activation of the C lines into the canopy rear profile to boost responsiveness, with lesser B line activation into the canopy mid profile to reduce stall. At medium AOA, the yoke supports a profile optimized for parawing power, with loading more evenly across the bar for improved ergonomics. Sheeted-out to lower AOA, the C lines allow full depower of the canopy rear profile, while the yoke activates a governor on B-line trim for multiple new performance gains.

Governing the B line trim puts a limit on mid canopy profile changes, achieving rock solid stability into radically higher power ranges. Crossing over from our many year tuning power in our kite designs, the B governor retains a prescribed amount of power that’s new to parawings, for more consistent pull getting onto foil, and upwind drive once on foil.

Completely unlike bar systems where the wing’s power in the B and C lines pull the bar to an increasingly uncomfortable eventual right-angle, the yoke’s precise geometry controls the point at which the B governor engages, eliminating all excess pressure on the bar’s trim angle by aligning all B line pull together with the A lines to the front bar connection. Not having the parawing’s power pull the bar to uncomfortable angles is a huge step forward in parawing riding ergonomics.

With the improved stability and comfort to now ride into higher power ranges, we added space at the front bridle bar connection to allow hand positioning balanced on the center of power. The improved handling feedback in the power loading to the back of the bar from the new B line yoke allowed us to sustainably reduce the bar’s total length for great gains in stow/deploy performance.

The best possible strength-to-weight all-carbon construction, with an ideal texture and durometer grip, in an optimized finished diameter, with as much positive buoyancy as possible, in as compact a length as possible, with streamlined, light, strong, reliable and durable bridle bar connections, and a yoke system that functions fully without adding tangle points, color coding added to the front lines and canopy; We’ve obsessed on every detail to make our connection to the wind’s energy a natural extension of our boardriding.

We sincerely thank you for your support of all our work and hope you’ll continue having as much fun on the water as we are!

Wind Range

We would love to be able to define wind ranges in quantifiable absolutes. However, as we elaborate below, it’s not possible to offer any one wind range that is reasonably accurate for any two riders.

In our best effort to offer our best possible assistance to riders seeking to select a parawing size, we provide the below illustration as one possible example of Greg’s wind range, on specific gear, at a specific time and location, and for one specific segment of his riding. The following descriptions from Greg are comparisons intended to be tools that you can use to calibrate for your individual, current riding variables. Produktbild

Note about Paia Range

Due to the nature of its double skin design, the Paia is optimized to perform at a lower angle of attack. To adjust for this, it’s recommended to select one size larger, as illustrated above. Riding comfortably at this higher power level makes the Paia less sensitive to board and foil pairing than the following descriptions that relate more directly to single skin parawings.

Rider Size

Greg is around 170 pounds (~77 kg).
Riders around 50 pounds (~23 kg) lighter might ride one size smaller parawing.
Riders around 50 pounds heavier might ride one size larger parawing.

Parawing Riding Experience

I have thousands of sessions on foil, hundreds of them with a parawing.
Riders with less experience on foil and/or with a parawing might ride one to two sizes larger.

Board Efficiency

Extremely unlike inflatable wings, where pumping the wing is a large contributor to take-off threshold, with a parawing, it is largely the rider’s ability to pump the board that defines the low end, and total size, of parawing riding range.
The importance of board and technique to parawing range can’t be overstated. To maximize my range, and to enjoy riding at a power level as light as possible, I normally ride a highly efficient board (super light, 6’ x 19”, 90 liters).
Differences in board efficiency can be difficult or impossible to quantify. I’ve ridden other, nearly identical boards (i.e., same length, width, and volume) that do not perform as efficiently, where I might loose 10-25% of my ideal range.
I’m so particular about board performance, that if it’s not highly efficient, I experience most all other boards as some range of low efficiency. On these, my average water-start threshold might be around the middle of my ideal power riding level range, resulting in, depending on riding application, possibly losing half of my ideal riding range. When riding a board of lower efficiency, I’ll normally ride one, sometimes two, parawing sizes larger.
Recent progression in board design can make a modern, lower volume “longer/narrower” design (such as a 5’6” x 18.5” board at 50 liters), possibly at an equal level of water-start efficiency as higher volume “shorter/wider” boards designed differently for an inflatable wing (such as a 4’10” x 23” at 70 liters). Riding a parawing on boards designed for riding an inflatable wing can explain why some riders have experienced very small riding range on parawings, especially on first-generation parawing designs with limited stability.
With the massive gains in stability on our second generation of parawings, it’s now possible to ride at far higher power levels, opening up riding nearly any size of board. If riding a tiny, nearly neutrally buoyant board of effectively zero efficiency, I may need to ride extremely powered-up on a parawing three sizes larger. Being this lit-up, I’ll use the parawing only to launch onto foil, and then want to stow it away as very fast as possible as I send into a downwinder. Here on Maui, riding such a tiny board so far off shore doesn’t yet make much sense for my daily downwinding, but I’ll for sure be checking that out in the Gorge this summer!

Foil Efficiency

To maximize my range and to enjoy riding at a power level as light as possible, I normally ride a 1080 foil with effective takeoff lift.
Riders on lower lift foils might ride one size larger parawing.

Discrepancies in Wind Reading

Even within a one mile stretch of the north shore of Maui, riders don’t agree on what the wind speed is. Speed reads differently depending exactly how and where it’s being measured, and readings at different locations fluctuate in different wind directions. Expand this to larger scales and there is no common language for any wind speed. We’ve done our best to present as accurately as we can based on our years of experience.

Riding Application

The chart provided above represents my riding, on a highly efficient board, for surfing and general cruising, where I most enjoy a feeling in the bar that’s as light and comfortable as possible.
When my riding goal is instead for upwind/downwind riding, I select +1 size larger to ride with a bit more power for higher upwind angles.
When my riding application is for downwinding, I also normally select +1 size larger for range security in case the wind is lighter at any portion of my run.

Comparisons of Low End Power, High End Stability, and Total Range Size

The low end range of the original Maliko was aided by relatively longer lines and open arc shape, yet hindered by indirect power delivery. Its upper range was limited by the bar system’s lack of trim control, leading to wing instability.
The Maliko 2 has an even more open arc shape and comparatively longer lines, especially into the smaller sizes, extending its low end range. It has fewer panels and lines, limiting stability and upper range, but increasing its pack/stow performance.
The Ka’a and Kanaha have considerably shorter lines, leaning their range toward increased upper range stability with lesser low end power. The reduction in their low end range from their shorter line length is offset to reach similar low end by their direct power delivery, especially effective in increasing wind speed and into the smaller parawing sizes.
In comparing the Ka’a and Kanaha, they share the majority of performance characteristics. Performance differences are relatively subtile. The Ka’a has a slightly lower aspect ratio leaning its performance toward low end power and maneuverable handling. The Kanaha has a slightly higher aspect ratio leaning its performance toward high end stability and higher upwind performance.

Additional Notes

We’ll do our best to keep this information updated with our ongoing experience.

Parawing FAQ

DOES THE PAIA WATER LAUNCH

Water can enter the Paia’s cells, however, the entire leading and trailing edges are fully open to allow unobstructed water exit, giving the Paia water launch similar to a single skin, but at a slower pace.

IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET THE AIR OUT OF THE PAIA (TO STOW)?

The effectiveness and technique to air out of the Paia is similar to a single skin thanks to the entirely open leading and trailing edges allowing rapid air exit.

IS A DOUBLE SKIN MORE DIFFICULT TO LEARN?

Different is more descriptive than difficult. Just as single skin parawings are suited with handling technique adjustments different from inflatable wings, the Paia double skin is suited with adjustments in handling technique different from a single skin. Please see descriptions in our riding tips.

DOES THE PAIA FIT IN THE STOW BELT?

The Paia fits in the stow belt, however, not nearly as quickly or easily as a single skin, especially in the larger sizes.

ARE THE PAIA LINES LONG?

As with all BRM parawings, the Paia’s lines are within an arm’s reach. The Paia’s line length is similar to the original Maliko, not as super short as our second generation single skins, with an emphasis on flight performance over retract ease.

WHICH OF THE THREE SINGLE SKIN MODELS IS MOST LIKE THE ORIGINAL MALIKO?

From a performance perspective, all new models share updates making the performance of the three more similar to each other than to the original Maliko. From a riding application perspective, the Ka’a is the most similar due to the flight character of its aspect ratio and the stow/deploy of its line length. The Kanaha’s performance is quite similar to the Ka’a. The Maliko 2 has performance more specialized for “single-stow” downwinding.

CAN I GO UPWIND?

Absolutely. Parawings share design DNA with Olympic class parafoil kite racing at the highest possible upwind performance. Upwind angle on a parawing varies by individual technique, conditions, and equipment pairing. Most riders will find higher upwind angles easier with the performance updates on our second generation of parawings. Upwind effectiveness is the performance priority of our Kanaha model parawing.

CAN I RIDE A PARAWING WITH A HARNESS?

Yes, a harness can offer great performance options. Parawinging has specific new performance challenges, which we’ve put a lot of development into solving with our harness lines, hooks, and belts.

CAN I USE MY SMALL WINGBOARD?

Yes, we test our parawings on the full spectrum of board sizes, from itty-bitty pump boards to full size DW boards. A board’s efficiency level has a massive influence on a parawing riding experience, including the power required to get on foil. The greater the board’s efficiency, the greater the range in riding conditions. The balance in efficiency vs. performance of mid-length boards is a great choice for many parawing riders.

DOES THE PARAWING FLOAT?

Our designs target neutral bouncy so that, when released, the parawing temporarily parks in position on the water’s surface. Performance varies by environment.

WHY IS IT CALLED A PARAWING?

Our initial development was seeking to progress the performance of our wingfoiling inflatable wings. Our prototyping included inflatable kite designs prior to evolving to designs crossing over from paraglider and parafoil kites. The term “parawing” has existed for over 75 years. We adopted use of this terminology for the new riding category defined by the launch of our BRM Maliko in August of 2024 because we felt that its perfectly descriptive of our newly applied use of parafoil design to the sport of wingfoiling.

Parawing Tips - Videos

PAIA PARAWING TIPS
The Paia requires different piloting techniques from a single skin. We highly recommend watching these tips prior to your first session.

IMPORTANT SECOND GENERATION TIPS
NEW Bar Hand Placement. Recommended for experienced & beginner riders

IMPORTANT SECOND GENERATION TIPS
NEW Water Relaunch and Under-Powered Trim. Recommended for experienced & beginner riders

BRM PARAWING HARNESS LINE OPTIONS
Information and guide on selecting and using the Minimalist vs. Rigid BRM Harness Lines

BRM PARAWING GATED HARNESS HOOK
Functionality of the gated harness hook

BRM PARAWING BELT OPTIONS
Original vs. Slim Parawing Belt and guide on stowing the parawing into the belt

SELECTING YOUR PARAWING ACCESSORIES
BELTS - HARNESS HOOKS - HARNESS LINES

BRM PARAWING BELTS

The first time we stowed our wing in a belt, spun it around to our back, and experienced hands-free glide, we knew that our ultimate downwind and surfing dreams had come true.

Beyond such glorious reasons for a perfectly functioning system to ride hands free, the longer we’ve had a parawing focus, the more we’ve identified and appreciated also smaller new opportunities in improving our total riding experience.

Having a belt frees two hands to carry our board to the water, paddle out and in, take a break to focus elsewhere, carry other things like a camera and a second size parawing, and add additional functions like a harness hook.

To increase options for our second season of parawing equipment, we’ve added a second parawing belt and harness accessories.

With a medium size outline of 17cm high, the original BRM Parawing Belt introduced last year is our recommendation for riders that prioritize moderate support for riding hooked in to a harness at higher power loads.

At 10cm high when compressed, we’ve added the BRM Parawing Belt Slim for riders that prioritize the freedom of movement of a slimmer outline, and, if using as a harness, hook in at lighter power loads. It’s pocket is expandable to 20cm high for easier stowing.

PRODUCT INFORMATION & TIPS:
BRM PARAWING BELT OPTIONS

Original vs. Slim Parawing Belt and tips on stowing the parawing into the belt

BRM PARAWING GATED HARNESS HOOK

From our earliest parawing development, we recognized some of the values of the option to ride with a harness and have been working on solutions to the functional challenges unique to parawing riding.

Any design that interferes with getting up on our board, or, far worse, adds a snag point for getting stuck in lines, especially common while stowing, were automatic deal-breakers for us. We’re so stoked to have finally cracked the code to be able to enjoy the advantages of riding with a harness without the slightest compromise to our other core priorities.

A gated closure on a mini hook is so simple, its crazy that it took us so long to reach this perfect solution! Gate open, the compact hook is ready for hooking in and out. Gate closed, you can forget that the hook is there; ride and stow away.

PRODUCT INFORMATION & TIPS:
BRM PARAWING GATED HARNESS HOOK

Functionality of the gated harness hook

BRM HARNESS LINES

We’ve developed harness lines specifically for parawing riding in two options to suit different preferences.

We designed the Minimalist Harness Line for riders that ride primarily without a harness, but would like to have the option to add one on-the-fly. This line fits easily in your pocket, can be installed in seconds, can be temporary minimized by wrapped around the bar, accommodates temporary and fixed line length trim, is streamlined, light and strong, and accommodates changing tack without needing to unhook.

We designed the Internal Rod Harness Line for riders that ride primarily with a harness. Rather than a decades-old tube-covered line design, we’ve moved the loop structure inside the line to be lighter and more streamlined. This compact line is easily installed, removed, and adjusted in length. Its prescribed stiffness balances ease of harness use with stowing effectiveness.

PRODUCT INFORMATION & TIPS:
BRM PARAWING HARNESS LINE OPTIONS

Functionality of the gated harness hook

COMPARE/SELECT THE SINGLE SKIN PARAWING MODELS

A board’s efficiency level has a massive influence on a parawing riding experience, including the power required to get on foil. To control variables in development of the first Maliko, we focused exclusively on mid-length boards. Development since, for this second generation of parawing performance, has included a massively wider spectrum; from riding crazy lit-up on itty-bitty pump and kite boards that barely float with the Ka’a and Kanaha, all the way to the lightest power riding threshold on full length, high volume DW boards with the Maliko 2.

High-end stability and low-end power are not mutually exclusive, however, they are at opposite ends of the performance spectrum. Work on our Maliko 2 was laser focused on low-end power, to the extent that its moderately longer lines make it specialized for riders that stow and send into a single downwind run without re-deploying their wing. In contrast, the super short lines on the Ka’a and Kanaha are optimized for stow and deploy and extending into far higher power ranges and should be selected around one wing size larger than the Maliko 2.

In selecting a model we suggest considering which of the following best describes your riding focus, and for some, your performance priority within that focus:

•Downwind
•Upwind / Downwind
•Surf
•Beginner & Freestyle

DOWNWIND

Multiple Stow/Deploy vs. Single Stow per Run
-MALIKO 2 - I send downwind, stow my parawing, and target a full run without re-deploying my parawing, so I prioritize a tiny pack size over speed of stow/deploy.

-KA'A - I stow and re-deploy my parawing multiple times in a downwind run, so I prioritize speed of stow/deploy performance over a small difference in pack size.

Riding Power Level & Board Size

-MALIKO 2 - I prioritize low-power effectiveness over high-power stability and ride a board above 60 liters.

-KA'A - I prioritize high-power stability over low-power efficiency and want the option to ride boards below 60 liters.

UPWIND / DOWNWIND

-KANAHA - I ride long distances upwind to access my downwind runs, so I prioritize upwind speed, high-power stability, and stow/deploy performance.

SURF

-KA'A - I ride to surf. I prioritize instantaneous stow/deploy and getting back to the peak for the next wave.

BEGINNER & FREESTYLE

I’m a freestyle expert or parawing beginner. If had had to choose between 5% better upwind performance or 5% more responsive turns and maneuvers…

-KANAHA - I’d prioritize upwind performance.
-KA'A - I’d prioritize turns & maneuvers.

COMPARING SINGLE SKIN PARAWING MODELS

MALIKO 2
With moderately longer lines for the most power per square meter, the Maliko2 expands riding options into smaller boards and foils, and is ideal for “single-stow” advanced downwind purists.

KANAHA
The Kanaha has rock solid stability for upwind / downwind riders. It blends a moderately higher aspect ratio for the highest upwind speed with shorter lines for super rapid packing.

KA’A
With radically short lines, the versatile Ka’a has great range and instantaneous responsiveness and stow/deploy making it optimal both for surfing and “stow/deploy” downwinding.

COMPARE SINGLE AND DOUBLE-SKIN, INFLATABLE WING AND KITE

If you ride a parawing with the goal to put it away, one of our single skin options is likely your best match. If you ride a parawing with an emphasis on its flight characteristics of range, comfort, depower, and upwind performance, our double skin is likely your best match.

SINGLE SKIN VS DOUBLE SKIN

Single skin and double skin parawing designs have inherently different aerodynamic properties that result in performance characteristics that are unique to each.

Single skins tend to position deeper in the wind window, giving them outstanding deploy speed and good low-end power. Their upwind drive is limited to a range of angle of attack. Sheeted out to lower angles of attack, single skins inherently pull down-wind, limiting their depower and comfortable range.

Double skins, in contrast, continue to drive upwind even when completely sheeted out to the lowest possible angle of attack. Double skins tend to position forward in the wind window, giving them comfortable range, depower, and upwind effectiveness. We developed the Paia double skin with a fully open leading and trailing edges for easy and quick release of trapped air and water. While not as crazy compact and weightless as a single skin, the double skin Paia retains the key functions of a parawing: retract, stow, deploy, and water relaunch.

PARAWING VS. INFLATABLE WING AND KITE

DETAILS LIST

Item includes parawing, parawing bag, and duffel bag

Weight
1.7M: 308 grams / 0.7 pounds
2.3M: 352 grams / 0.8 pounds
2.9M: 400 grams / 0.9 pounds
3.6M: 442 grams / 1.0 pounds
4.2M: 486 grams / 1.1 pounds
4.8M: 526 grams / 1.2 pounds
5.4M: 564 grams / 1.2 pounds
6.0M: 602 grams / 1.3 pounds

Product safety information

Manufacturer information:

Board Riding Maui

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Shipping class:	1,00 kg

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