The first Parawing World Cup takes flight in Leucate

Parawinging has been growing fast, but in Leucate, France, it took a big step forward. During the iconic Mondial du Vent, the SFT hosted the very first official Parawing World Cup, bringing the new discipline into a proper race format for the first time.

A fitting stage for a new discipline

Leucate was the perfect place for it. Known for strong wind, open water and a long history of progressive wind sports, Mondial du Vent has always been a stage where new ideas in watersports can be tested. This time, it was parawinging’s turn.

From freeride feeling to race mode

The format was simple in theory, but demanding on the water. Riders raced downwind courses, testing speed, glide, pumping ability and control. They had sections they need to packup the parawing and pump!

For a sport that still feels young, playful and experimental, it was a first look at what competitive parawinging could become.

ENSIS rider Balz Müller was there to experience it first hand.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Balz. “Such an enthusiastic rider fleet, from under 14 kids to grandfathers, all frothing about parawinging.”

Light wind, hard work and full commitment

Even though Leucate is famous for wind, the event did not deliver the classic strong conditions many riders may have expected. Instead, the fleet had to deal with very light wind, making the racing highly physical and technical.

“Despite the less than ideal conditions, the vibe was really good,” Balz explained. “We tested different race courses every day. I expected it would be more of a fun freeride race, but once the clock starts, it is all about going from A to B as fast as possible.”

That shift from relaxed riding to full race mode made things intense. In the light breeze, getting up on foil was hard work. Staying on foil was even harder. Riders had to pump, link small bumps and make every bit of glide count.

“With the challenging conditions and the small foils, the riders just pumped like crazy,” said Balz. “It was super dynamic and exciting.”

Balz’s setup for the event

For Balz, the goal was not only to race, but also to enjoy the conditions and test gear in a real world environment.

He kept his setup simple and familiar, riding the ENSIS JIVE 86, a 1000 cm² high aspect foil, and a prototype version of the new ENSIS ROGER parawing.

“I knew the gear would not be the fastest, but my goal was to fly and have fun in the light breeze, with enough glide for the little fun rollers,” he said.

A sport evolving fast

The event also showed how quickly parawinging is progressing. Many riders arrived with new equipment, prototypes and fresh ideas. That is part of what makes the sport so exciting right now.

The discipline is still being shaped by the riders, designers and brands pushing it forward.

Balz was also using something new.

“The sport is evolving so quickly. Most of the riders were using new prototypes and models. I was testing something new too, and I am really excited about where it is going. It is making this challenging sport even easier.”

That new prototype was the upcoming ENSIS ROGER. More news on that is coming soon.

Where does competitive parawinging go next?

While the first Parawing World Cup proved that racing is possible, Balz believes the future of competitive parawinging should stay creative and true to the spirit of the sport.

“I definitely see big potential,” he said. “Especially if events evolve to include multiple elements, like stash sections, slalom upwind and surf style riding.”

At the same time, he feels the sport should not become too serious too quickly.

“I would love to see more creative formats, mixing disciplines and making it more playful and accessible. I just hope it does not turn into kite racing. Keeping that fun, surfy spirit is key.”

Just the beginning

That might be the biggest takeaway from Leucate. Competitive parawinging has arrived, but its identity is still wide open.

It can be fast, technical and exciting, but it can also stay playful, creative and connected to the feeling that made riders fall in love with it in the first place.

The first event was not perfect. The wind was light, the format is still evolving and the sport is still young. But that is exactly what made it interesting. A new discipline took its first step onto the world stage. The riders were fired up, the racing was physical, and the future looks full of possibility.