2020 Cabrinha CBL Review
Over the years the Cabrinha CBL has become one of our favorite boards in the Cabrinha lineup. What we love most about the 2020 Cabrinha CBL is how smooth it is in choppy waters, how soft the landings are and how controllable the pops are. Not to mention this board is almost indestructible.
Available Sizes: 139 x 42 or 142 x 43
At 160lbs we ride the 139cmx 42 and that is plenty of board, even for lighter wind conditions.
Who’s the Cabrinha CBL For?
The Cabrinha CBL is made for kiteboarding first but can be used at cable parks or behind the boat. On older models, the rocker was too much for kiteboarding and there was too little flex. This made it difficult for the average kiteboarder to ride upwind. Although the CBL has more rocker than the average twin tip board, it has less rocker than its earlier models. The 2020 Cabrinha CBL also has more flex in areas needed for upwind performance. It is much more efficient at getting the average kiteboarder upwind better than its earlier models. The 2020 Cabrinha CBLs are for any kiteboarder that is interested in a board with great pop and smooth in choppy waters.
This board is fantastic for both hooked in and unhooked freestyle. With a quad concave bottom, this board grips the water well. The deep channels on the bottom helps the board grip the water better so the rider has more control of their pop.
One advantage of having more rocker is that the 2020 Cabrinha CBL is smooth in the chop. If the tide is high or waters are choppy, this board absorbs a lot of the bounce. With a little more rocker and softer flex, landings are also much more forgiving.
There is a P-Tex grind base on the bottom of the CBL that makes it much more solid than the average twin tip board. The benefits of this are for features like jumps or rails. Another benefit of the more solid bottom is if you ride your board over sand or shells. You’re less likely to damage this board than a regular twin tip.
Downsides of the CBL
If you’re a newer rider this board will be more difficult for you to use. There is no grab handle to make it easier for newer riders put the board on their feet. Although an intermediate rider will have no problem going upwind on the CBL, a newer rider may struggle because of the increased rocker line.
The Cabrinha CBL is heavier than the average twin tip kiteboard. It has more material that makes it more durable but the cost is a heavier board. If you’re looking for big air or a board that is as light as possible we recommend the carbon XCaliber.
General Summary
Ride the Cabrinha CBL with footstraps or with boots. Key features of this board are soft landings, smooth through the chop and controllable pops. Whether you’re into unhooked freestyle or hooked in freestyle, you’ll feel in control of this board. It is heavier than other boards but it makes up for it with durability. This is one of our favorite boards to ride and our choice on the water.
