What Is Parakiting?

Over the past few years, a new flying discipline has been gaining traction—one that blends elements of traditional paragliding, speed-flying, and kite-flying in high-wind dune or coastal environments. Welcome to parakiting.

Parakiting sits at the intersection of paraglider, speed wing and depower kite, giving pilots the tools to soar low and fast, carve terrain, and experience a new wave of adrenaline. In this article you’ll learn:

• What parakiting means and how it differs from classic paragliding and speed flying

• How small-wing and parakite designs compare

• What leading brands like Flare, Dudek, Dune Rider, Ozone and Niviuk are doing in this space

• Whether parakiting might fit your style, and how to choose your first wing

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What Exactly Does “Parakiting” Mean?

The term parakite (sometimes spelled “para-kite” or “para kite”) refers to a wing designed for terrain-enabled soaring (dunes, slopes, strong winds) that borrows from both paragliding and kite-surf/kite-buggy technology:

• It uses a reflex profile wing (common in speed wings) for effective flight at low angles of attack and high speed.

• The control system often includes both traditional brakes and mechanisms to change incidence/angle of attack (AoA), giving the pilot more control over energy and speed than a standard paraglider.

• The flying style emphasises proximity to terrain, strong-wind environments, big flare landings, and agile responsiveness rather than long thermal climbs or XC cruising.

For example, Flare’s Moustache parakite features a brake-system that varies incidence so pilots can keep the wing flying efficiently even at lower AoA settings. (Flare marketing literature)
Dudek describes their Touch as “a wing combining paraglider feel and kite control; designed for dune, coast and wind-rich sites.” (Dudek website)

In contrast:

• A traditional paraglider is designed primarily for thermalling, XC flying or ridge soaring, often at moderate wind speeds and higher altitudes.

• A mini-wing/speed wing is built for speed, short launch, sharp manoeuvres and often steep terrain or ski launch—but might not offer the same full depower/incidence control as a parakite.

So parakiting is more niche, more energy-rich and more terrain-specific—but for many pilots it offers thrilling access to sites that standard wings can’t exploit.

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Parakites vs Mini Wings vs Speed Wings

Let’s break down the three categories so you can see where parakites sit.

Mini Wings / Speed-Flying Wings

Brands like Niviuk with the Roller 2 give pilots a lightweight, agile wing designed for strong winds, hill launches and speed-flying. For example, the Roller 2 weights around 3 kg in size 14 and emphasises manoeuvrability, wide speed range and passive safety. (Niviuk site)
These wings:

• Are small, fast, responsive

• Good for strong wind, ski lines, hill launches

• Focus on dynamic flight rather than extended duration

• Usually operate at higher wing loadings and lower glide ratios than full paragliders

Speed Wings

Brands like Ozone with their speed-wing line (e.g., Rapido) offer wings designed for fast descents, ski lines or rapid terrain transitions. Key traits:

• Short lines, compact profile, high top speeds

• Not always as much emphasis on “carving terrain” as mini-wings/parakites

• Often still use typical brake and riser geometry for speed-fly/descend missions

Parakites

Parakites combine elements of both:

• Reflex profiles that allow stable flight at lower angles of attack and higher speeds

• Depower/control systems tailored for terrain-enabled carving and strong-wind sites

• Designed to soar dunes, coastal ridges, wind-rich slopes, with an emphasis on fun, proximity and responsiveness

So if you imagine a spectrum: traditional paraglider → mini wing/speed wing → parakite, the parakite sits closer to the speed-wing side but with some paraglider control elements added—primed for terrain flying rather than XC or thermal missions.

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What Leading Brands Are Doing

Here’s how five major brands are stepping into or evolving within the parakite/small-wing world.

Flare – Moustache & Variants

Flare lit the fuse with the Moustache, marketed as a parakite: “Designed for dune, coastal and ski-running, this wing blends paraglider and kite feel.”
Highlights:

• Reflex profile tuned for low AoA stable flight

• Incidence-control brake system so pilots can manage energy, speed and flare landings

• Adapted features such as snow loops, trim labelling, wind-specific design details

They’ve since expanded the range with updated models like the Moustache 2 and other wings aimed at the same terrain-rich, fun-first niche.

Dudek – Touch

Polish brand Dudek fills a similar space with Touch, explicitly billed as their parakite.
Key points:

• Reflex design optimised for parakite use

• Focus on coastal and dune soaring in stronger winds

• Marketed for intermediate-to-advanced pilots who already have solid wing skills

• Emphasis on understanding the unique control system and flying style to unlock full potential

Dune Rider – Scraper & Expert-Level Parakites

Dune Rider is a newer name, but one with big ambition in the parakite-specific niche. Their Scraper is described as a top-end parakite with high aspect ratio (~7 in the 20 m size) aimed at expert pilots wanting maximum performance in wind-rich terrain.
In short: if you’re an experienced dune/carving pilot looking for the cutting edge, Dune Rider is one to watch.

Niviuk – Roller 2 (and proximity to Parakite Space)

Niviuk haven’t labelled a wing “parakite” yet, but the Roller 2 is very close. It’s a mini wing with integrated speed flying design, wide speed range, lightweight build and agile behaviour—useful for pilots who may later move into parakites.
This places Niviuk as a bridge brand: for pilots wanting to hone small-wing skills before stepping fully into the parakite discipline.

Ozone – Vapor Parakite & Speed Wings

Ozone has now entered the parakite arena with the Vapor, marking their first wing explicitly branded as a parakite.
Features:

• Designed with the terrain-enabled, strong-wind carving mindset in mind

• Draws on Ozone’s vast experience in speed wings, paragliders and kite design

• Represents a more accessible path for pilots keen to try a parakite under a well-established brand

Alongside the Vapor, Ozone continues to dominate the speed-wing and high-performance blimp wings space, giving pilots a ladder from speed to parakite.

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Is Parakiting Right for You?

Here are the questions you should ask before deciding whether to step into parakiting:

1. Where will I fly most often?

   • Dunes, coastal ridges, strong-wind soaring terrain: parakite makes sense.

   • Flat, low-wind sites, thermals, XC focus: perhaps stick to a standard paraglider or mini wing first.

2. What is my current wing/skill level?

   • If you’ve just passed your training wing: focus on consolidating.

   • If you have solid, confident ground-handling, ridge flying and maybe some mini-wing experience: you’re closer to the parakite entry point.

3. What flying style am I drawn to?

   • Craving carves, big flares, strong-wind dynamics and proximity to terrain? Go for parakite.

   • Prefer thermals, XC flights or long duration soaring? Standard paragliders will suit better.

4. Do I have access to coaching or flying partners experienced in parakite-style flying?

   • Because parakiting often involves more energy, closer terrain and stronger winds, proper instruction and mentorship make a big difference.

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How to Choose Your First Wing & Shop Smart

When you’re shopping for a parakite or related small wing:

• Match wing size to your “all-up weight” (body + harness + reserve + gear).

• Choose a wing that brand states is suitable for your current skill and site type.

• Ask about demo opportunities, especially on local dunes or strong-wind sites.

• Make sure your harness and reserve are appropriate for the wing and conditions.

• Inspect wing condition (if demo or used), especially for reflex-profile stability.

• Shop with a specialist dealer like Paragliding.Shop, who carries multiple brand lines (Flare, Dudek, Ozone, Niviuk) so you can compare both specs and feel. They can also advise on Australian-specific conditions (wind, sand, coast) and import/servicing logistics.

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Summary & Next Steps

• Parakiting is a distinct flying discipline, blending paragliding control with freedom of kite-style movement, designed for dunes, coastal ridges and strong-wind terrain.

• Leading brands include Flare (Moustache), Dudek (Touch), Dune Rider (Scraper), Niviuk (Roller 2 for mini wing), and Ozone (Vapor) — each bringing different entry points and performance levels.

• It’s not a beginner wing—skills, coaching and site selection matter.

• If you’re interested in carving dunes, flying strong wind and exploring a more dynamic side of soft-wing flying, parakiting might be your next big move.