2018 Cabrinha Kites
2018 Cabrinha FX Review
2018 Cabrinha Contra Review
2018 Cabrinha Chaos Review
July 31st
Here’s our video of the trip we just went on to Turks and Caicos where we test rode some of the 2018 Cabrinha kites and explored some of the more unique spots on the island.
If you’re interested in taking a trip with us in the future, leave us your email at the bottom!
Just returned from Turks and Caicos island where we had consistent trade winds to further test ride some of the 2018 kites. The more we ride the 2018 kites, the more stoked we are for the official release. We got to ride an FX in a variety of conditions and on the different settings. Here’s a teaser video Cabrinha just released:
Mid June Update
We just got back from the Cabrinha dealer meeting in the Bahamas where we were able to test ride the 2018 Cabrinha lineup. We are super stoked in the direction Cabrinha is heading for 2018. They made positive changes in some of their most popular selling kites, giving them the ability to boost higher and have direct rider input. We can’t say too much but there’s a couple of other things they’re coming out with that we’re really excited about. For the meantime, check out below the level of detail the Cabrinha team goes through to develop a kite.
Over the past few years Cabrinha has improved their kites wind ranges, rider feedback and overall performance throughout their kite range. From an instructors perspective, it’s easier than ever to teach someone how to kiteboard. Certified instruction is still necessary as kiteboarding is counterintuitive to your reactions. Cabrinha kites in particular are ideal because they’re easy to fly and are predictable in the air. They’ve done an excellent job at building indestructible kites with top end performance for both new riders and experienced riders alike. With such a high end performance in their kites already, it is interesting to see what the 2018 Cabrinha kites will bring.
When designing a kite the Cabrinha team has a goal in mind for how the kite should fly. It’s a process of testing and making the minor adjustments necessary to achieve their goal, check it out here:
Predictions for 2018
Cabrinha Switchblade – The Cabrinha Switchblade has been Cabrinha’s flagship kite for over 15 years now. For 2018 our prediction is that they’re going to make this kite even more efficient. They’ll make it tuneable so that experienced riders can set the kite to ride aggressively while people looking to freeride can enjoy an easy park and ride kite. We think they’ll make the 2018 Cabrinha Switchblade sit a little further in the wind window, which would give the kite a better ability to boost.
Cabrinha FX – The Cabrinha FX is made for riders looking for a quick turning kite that jumps big and delivers precise control for unhooked tricks. In the behind the scenes video with Nick Jacobsen and kite designer Pat Goodman, it shows they are working on having the kite climb to 12 o’clock quicker after kite loops. They’re making it slightly more high aspect which will also make the kite easier to get upwind and jump higher.
Cabrinha Contra – For 2017 Cabrinha introduced a 19m into the Contra lineup. The 19m is extremely efficient, it delivers tons of power but is easy to push forward in the wind window to get upwind. Even in marginal wind it relaunches off the water with ease. There was a noticeable difference of increased turning speed with the 2017 Contras. Even in high winds the Contras can be held down and handled so you maintain control. It will be interesting to see what changes are made with the 2018 Cabrinha Contra.
Cabrinha is very thorough when it comes to the design of their kites. Each model kite they make is built to fly in a specific way. Cabrinha’s designer, Pat Goodman, designs a kite on the computer that then gets a prototype with the ability for the bridle to be adjusted in certain ways. The Cabrinha test team goes out with Pat Goodman to fly the kite and make the minor adjustments necessary for the kite to fly the way they intended. They’ll then scale the adjustments on the computer to the different sizes and repeat the process with the other sizes to maintain a similar feel.
It’s an extensive process to design and manufacture a kite the way the designers intended, and then scale it throughout the various sizes. Cabrinha sets a goal for each kite and every year they build upon their design to make the kite more efficient.
