The Cabrinha Contra has been a session saver for us. There are plenty of days where the wind is 10 – 13 kts. These light wind conditions can be fun with the right equipment. Our personal favorite kite for these winds is the 15m Cabrinha Contra. At 160lbs, it is possible to use this kite and a 138cm board in 10 – 13 kts. Check it out:
Cabrinha Contra
This hybrid shaped kite sits deep enough back in the wind window to capture wind in the light wind conditions. It is easy to get started from waterstarts to riding upwind. Water relaunches are super easy and is possible in under 10 kt conditions. Perhaps the best part of this kite is that it is a kite beginner kiteboarders to professional kiteboarders can ride.
Design Changes
From 2019 to 2020 the Contra went through design changes in the structure and bridle of the kite. The results are a kite that turns quicker and has a larger viable wind range. What this means is that a kiter can feel comfortable riding in a variety of different wind speeds with the same kite size. The quicker turning speed of the kite is noticeable from previous year designs. It makes kiteboarding in these light winds that much more fun!
How Light Can You Go?
Anything in under 10 kts of wind takes skill. A bigger kite will not necessarily fly better because it is bigger. There needs to be a combination of weight and design to maximize efficiency of a kite. The biggest factor for riding in ultra light winds is skill. Even with a hydrofoil (which are much more efficient than twintips), the rider’s kite handling skills need to be on par. With some skills and the right equipment, it is possible to kite in under 10 kts.
