What’s New in Wind Sports? Fresh Trends & Innovations from AWSI in Hood River

Every September, the AWSI (Association of Wind + Water Sports Industries) trade show turns Hood River into the epicenter of the wind world. This year was no exception—AWSI 2025 was buzzing with new gear, bold innovations, and a ton of energy around where wind sports are headed next. At Windance, we got hands-on with the latest toys and walked away stoked about the future. Here’s our take on the biggest trends and innovations you’ll be seeing on the water soon.

Trends Shaping the Future of Wind Sports

Parawings: The Fastest-Evolving Toy in Wind Sports

The star of AWSI? Parawings. Nearly every brand is working on one, has already released one, or is already onto their second generation. What’s wild is the speed of evolution—new parawing models seem to catch fire overnight, only to be replaced in just a few months as designs improve. Right now, we’re seeing major updates every six months, which is unheard of in wind sports.

Expect to see specialized parawings emerging for downwind foiling, everyday cruising, and upwind play. Best practices are spreading fast, and it’s clear that parawinging isn’t just a passing fad. From the F-One Plume’s thin inflatable leading edge—which delivers insane wind range—to trainer-kite style setups, parawings are proving to be a versatile tool:

• A trainer kite for newcomers

• A backup chute if your wing fails

• A low-hassle alternative to traditional winging

• And just another fun toy to master on windy days

In short: parawings are here to stay, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of them on the water.

Portable E-Foils: The Foil Drive Revolution

Another trend exploding right now is portable e-foils (aka foil drives). These compact systems attach to your existing foil setup, giving you the boost you need to get up and flying—without the hassle of a dedicated full e-foil board.

At AWSI, we saw everything from boards with built-in jet propulsion for prone surfers, to torpedo-style mast attachments, to “ghostbuster” battery backpacks. The pioneer brand Foil Drive is still leading the charge, and they’ve got new hardware upgrades coming that make their setup lighter, more convenient, and more competitive with full-size e-foils.

For prone surfers, downwinders, and light-wind wing foilers, these e-drive options are game changers. The space is exploding—and we’re here for it.

Watch our foil drive set up video here!

Boards Are Going Narrower (and Faster)

With parawings, portable e-foils, and a rising skill level across the community, board design is shifting. Longer, narrower boards are quickly becoming the go-to for riders who want maximum efficiency:

• Faster to taxi up onto foil

• More efficient in light wind

• Better matched for portable e-foil drives

• Ideal for parawinging and downwind SUP foiling

Yes, narrower boards are tippier side-to-side, but the community has leveled up. Riders are ready for the challenge, and the payoff is more speed, more glide, and more fun.

And one more thing we noticed: paddles are disappearing. With parawings, you just don’t need them unless you're dedicated and willing to pay for the freedom of the paddle with a season of sweat and tears. For those who do take the paddle challenge, high end carbon paddles help you squeeze every ounce of power out of each stroke. Wing, foil assist, or parawing —it’s all about efficiency without the paddle.

Cool Innovations That Caught Our Eye

AWSI isn’t just about spotting trends—it’s also about geeking out on the new gear and clever designs brands are bringing to market. Here are some of the standout innovations we’re stoked about:

• Single Track Foil Mounting System → A totally new foil box system that could revolutionize board design in the future. It’s lighter, stronger, and could simplify setups—but it may wreak havoc on compatibility since the current 2-track system is the only universal standard in foil sports.

• Waka Folding Carbon Foil Board → A folding mid-length carbon foil board that’s as practical as it is cool. Perfect for riders commuting by bike or small car, yet still a legit high-performance board for parawinging or winging.

• Foil Drive-Oriented Boards → Several brands are building boards designed specifically for foil drive systems. One model features a trench cavity deep enough to swap the battery without pulling the mast. Another board fully encloses the foil drive’s e-box under the hull for better hydrodynamics and flow.

• Hat-Style Water Sports Helmets → A big trend this year is lightweight helmet-hat hybrids that offer solid impact protection while doubling as sun protection and style. They look more like surf hats than bulky helmets, but they deliver legit crash safety—perfect for foilers, wingers, and kiters who want function without looking like they’re wearing a bowling ball.

• Slingshot’s One-Lock Foil System → AWSI Innovation of the Year, this is the cleanest hardware systems around, with minimal screws and maximum convenience. We’re hoping more brands follow suit.

• Lift Efoils Hardware Updates → Lift is dialing in hardware with metal latch systems that make assembly and disassembly fast and painless. Less time fiddling, more time flying.

• A Featherweight Twin Tip → This new kiteboard is so light it feels like it weighs less than the cardboard box it ships in. That’s a win for freestyle, freeride, and travel convenience. Coming soon for 2026!

• Lighter, Stronger Materials Everywhere → Brands are doubling down on high-strength, ultra-light materials across wings, kites, and foils. It’s most noticeable in high end kites and wings right now, but the innovation is trickling across all product lines and trickling its way into everyday models rather than just the the premium products.

Why This Matters for You

The takeaway from AWSI is simple: wind sports are innovating fast. From parawings evolving every few months, to portable e-foils transforming how riders get up on foil, to narrower, sleeker board designs and game-changing hardware, the gear we ride is changing—and it’s opening up new ways to have fun on the water.

At Windance, we’re fired up to bring these trends straight to you. Many of the products we demo’d at AWSI will be hitting our shelves (and demo fleet) soon. Whether you’re curious about trying a parawing, upgrading your foil drive setup, or testing a new downwind board, we’ve got you covered.

👉 Stop by the shop in Hood River or check out Windance.com to get your hands on the latest gear before it hits the mainstream.