At the upcoming GWA Wingfoil World Cup on Fuerteventura in Spain, a parawing race will be held for the first time as a test run. Four different competition formats will be trialled in one day to explore the potential of the new discipline for future competitions.
The focus of the test event is on the original concept of the pocket wing, as the wing is officially called at the GWA: Surfing downwind waves or swell with a packed wing. This is a return to the idea that the designers had in mind when developing this discipline. It's about making the most of the waves and progressing as efficiently as possible.
Outlook for future competitions
It is already becoming apparent that parawings could soon become an integral part of the international competition scene. The legendary Mondial du Vent event in Leucate has already signed up as the venue for the first Pocketwing World Tour event next year. However, it is not yet clear whether the competitions will take place under the umbrella of the GWA or its sister tour, the Surf Foil World Tour (SFT).
Although the focus of the test event in Fuerteventura is on the racing format, the discipline could also include freestyle elements in the future. Riders such as all-round talent Balz Müller are expected to take part in the test event and demonstrate the potential of parawing in freestyle. In this rapidly developing discipline, all options are still open for future competitions.
