How to Choose the Right Board for Pocket Winging and Parawinging

Welcome to a new Appletree Tech Talk! Sam here, checking in from the beautiful Hatchery in Washington. While summer might be winding down, it’s still stunning, making it the perfect time to talk about how to choose the right board for your pocket winging or parawinging adventures.

If you’re new to these sports or simply looking to optimize your setup, you’re in the right place. I’ll break down the decision-making process into key categories based on conditions, wind levels, and use cases. Let’s get started!

Key Categories for Choosing Your Board

When selecting a board for pocket winging or parawinging, you’ll need to consider two main factors:

1. Wind Conditions: Are you dealing with light winds or heavy winds?
2. Riding Style: Do you want the ability to go upwind, or are you strictly focused on downwinding?

Your answers to these questions will guide you toward the best board type for your needs.

1. Light Wind Conditions

In light winds (typically under 17 knots), choosing the right board is critical to ensure you can get up on the foil efficiently. Let’s explore your options:

A. Light Wind: Upwind Riding

If you want to go upwind in light winds, efficiency is key. Pocket wings and parawings are not inherently efficient, so your board needs to make up for that.

• Board Recommendation: Smaller downwind board shapes (Apple Skipper DW) work best. They are fast through the water, allowing you to get up on the right foil and easily sail upwind.
• Why It Works: A smaller downwind board compensates for the lack of wing efficiency and lets you lap your favorite river, lake, or coastal breaks effortlessly.

B. Light Wind: Downwind Only

For pure downwinding, your board selection can lean towards more float and ease of use.

• Board Recommendation: Look at bigger mid-length boards or smaller mid-lengths with enough volume. Check out the Apple Skipper DW Prone.
• Why It Works: These boards provide the float and stability you need to get up quickly and start riding the bumps. Once up on foil, you can pack down your para or pocketwing and focus on enjoying the ride.

Conclusion for Light Winds:

• Upwind Riders: Choose a smaller downwind board or high-volume mid-length board.
• Downwind Only: Opt for a bigger mid-length board or a stable downwind option.

2. Heavy Wind Conditions

In heavy winds (17 knots and above), the options shift, and you can consider more traditional boards. Here’s what to focus on:

A. Heavy Wind: Upwind Riding

When riding in strong winds and aiming to go upwind, board size and shape play a significant role.

• Board Recommendation: A correctly sized mid-length board (Apple Skipper DW Prone) is your best bet.
• Why It Works: A mid-length board helps you use a more appropriately sized parawing or pocket wing, reducing the risk of being overpowered. It makes upwind sailing easier and more enjoyable, allowing you to sail higher angles and spend more time on the water.

B. Heavy Wind: Downwind Only

If you’re in strong winds and strictly want to focus on downwinding, a smaller, more maneuverable board is ideal.

• Board Recommendation: A traditional wing board (Appleslice V3) or smaller downwind board (Apple Skipper DW).
• Why It Works: Wing boards offer enough stability and drag to get you up on the foil quickly, even in strong winds. Once you’re up, pack your wing down and enjoy the ride on a small, highly responsive board.

Pro Tip: Smaller boards pump better, turn more sharply, and enhance the overall fun factor when downwinding in heavy wind conditions.

Conclusion for Heavy Winds:

• Upwind Riders: Go for a correctly sized mid-length board.
• Downwind Only: Choose a smaller wing board or downwind board for maximum maneuverability and responsiveness.

Recommended Board Types for pocket or parawinging

To summarize, here are the main board options you should consider:

1. Downwind Boards: Best for light winds and downwind riding. Fast, efficient, and ideal for open water. Check out the Apple Skipper Downwind.
2. Mid-Length Boards: Versatile options that work well in light and heavy winds, offering stability and ease of use. Check out the Apple Skipper DW Prone.
3. Traditional Wing Boards: Perfect for heavy winds, particularly for those focused on smaller, highly maneuverable boards. Check out the AppleSlice V3.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right board for pocket winging or parawinging depends heavily on your conditions and goals:

• Light Winds: Go for downwind boards or larger mid-lengths.
• Heavy Winds: Choose wing boards or smaller mid-lengths, depending on your focus.

If you have any questions or need personalized recommendations, feel free to reach out to us at Appletree. We’re here to help you find the perfect setup for your next session on the water.

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