In Focus: Cabrinha 2018 Product Overview
Features / Sat 2nd Sep, 2017 @ 3:00 am
The 2018 Cabrinha collection is out! Notably, all the kites have been outfitted with new, High Tenacity Dacron. The twin tip line sees more options for riders to choose from. Reliable classics like the Switchblade and S:Quad have been refined for 2018. Laci Kobulsky and his team at ProKite Alby Rondina in Sicily have been putting the 2018 Cabrinha line through the wringer, and they’ve shared their notes with us. What follows is Laci’s review of the new gear combined with technical information from Cabrinha. Photos: Laci Kobulsky
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Together with Alby Rondina, we had a few sick days on the water with the new gear. We would like to share with you photos and info about the new collection, along with our opinion on it. -Laci Kobulsky
Kites
First, let’s focus on completely new and important improvements – all Cabrinha kites in the 2018 range are made with a new Dacron material (the material which is on leading edge, struts and end of the canopy) called High Tenacity Dacron. The material is specially designed for inflatable kites. What is important to know is that this material will help the kite keep its shape for a longer time, unlike some older kites that lose their shape. Also, the kite is more rigid and will fly better in the air, so no jelly this time!
Drifter
The Drifter, a wave-specific kite, saw the biggest change out of all the kites in the lineup. Because of the new Dacron, it had to be completely redesigned to have a more accurate profile. With a new shape and extra battens, the canopy doesn’t flop in the air. The noticeable change is the feel on the bar, which is now much softer and more responsive. Basically, the kite is now faster, which is what surfers asked for, especially in the bigger sizes. It still has its characteristic drifting ability, which means that even when the leading edge is face-up the kite is not going to backstall, but instead, nicely drift through the air so you can focus on carving pictures on the faces of waves!
FEATURES & BENEFITS
All New design for 2018
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
New Pure Profile Panels
Refined profile alignment for superior power delivery
Light bar pressure with direct and responsive handling
Enhanced “Pop” for freestyle tricks
Best “Slack Line Drift” on the market
Excellent for surf freestyle
Exclusive Onshore and Offshore tuning options
Quick power and depower response
Amazing relaunch
Click here for more information
FX
Some changes were done on Alby’s favorite kite, the FX. The new, High Tenacity Dacron was added, and its shape was tweaked. More importantly, it now comes with different bridle settings for different riding styles – freeride (maximum power delivery), kiteloop (factory setting) and freestyle (maximum slack). What it does, in brief, is that it keeps the kite either deeper in wind window for freeride, where it has more power and park-and-ride ability, or more out of the wind window for freestyle, which gives the kite more slack for unhooked tricks.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
New design for 2018
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Explosive pop and great hang time
Incredibly quick and nimble handling
Great line slack for unhooked riding
Forward pull for kiteloops
Excellent for vertical boosts
Smooth power delivery
More drive than a traditional C-shaped kite
Predictable handling
Quick recovery
Good upwind performance
Click here for more information
Switchblade
In 2018, the Cabrinha Switchblade remains the benchmark for reliability, ease-of-use and performance. Nick Jacobsen has been turning heads on the Switchblade all over the world, and users everywhere have come to depend on the Switchblade’s solid all-around performance. For 2018, High Tenacity Dacron and a refined canopy shape make the Switchbade even better.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Profile refinements improve the overall performance for 2018
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Ultimate performance in the widest range of conditions and variety of riding styles
Smooth power delivery
Ridiculously high hang times
Predictable handling with improved stability and range Large sweet spot
Great upwind performance
Distinctly agile and light precision steering
Easy relaunch
Click here for more information
Chaos
For riders that want the highest performing technical freestyle kite.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Competition freestyle kite
Engineered for unhooked moves
Explosive pop… amazing line slack
Power through turns for massive kiteloops
Variable steering options Sharp and precise turning radius
Tuned profiles for quick acceleration
Excellent wind range C-Port (6 line) configuration for arc stability
Click here for more information
Apollo
For any type of riding where forward speed and acceleration must be matched by the speed of the kite.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Most efficiency to size ratio
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Fast flying performance
Excellent hang time
Optimize efficiency
High aspect ratio for optimum upwind performance
Huge wind range
Excellent lift to aid in tacking and jibing maneuvers
Click here for more information
Contra
Perfect for any rider that wants to extend their game into the lightwind arena with a responsive, lightwind kite.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Perfect lightwind extension to your current quiver
Easy park and ride power
Featherweight control
Works well with any board in your quiver
Easy relaunch
Click here for more information
Radar
Riders who want a versatile performance kite with a moderate aspect ratio.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
New High Tenacity Dacron enhances the arc stability
Perfect lightwind extension to your currentquiver
Easy park and ride power
Featherweight control
Works well with any board in your quiver
Excellent hang time
Easy relaunch
Click here for more information
Control Bars
A few changes were realized on the bar as well. First and most visible is the change to black & yellow. Secondly, less visible but more important is the improved safety system that allows a smoother and safer release.
What’s New?
New center fitting with larger opening and higher degree of turning
New EVA grip pattern with ergonomic design
The new DPML construction with improved durability
And one more thing! Cabrinha has a brand new pump with much, much higher efficiency so you can be now on water faster and with more power left in your arms.
Click here for more information
Boards
On the other hand, we have the boards. All of the boards have a brand new design thanks to Cabrinha’s new designer, Lars. The XCaliber, freestyle machine, now comes in two versions – carbon and wood. The wood version is softer and more friendly. The top selling board, the Cabrinha Ace, is now also available in carbon and wood. The Ace has a new shape with deeper channels for more grip.
Ace Carbon
The Ace Carbon is a performance board with structural carbon that stiffens the flex pattern for increased response & explosive pop.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Exclusive use of structural carbon
Stiff flex pattern for a rapid response & explosive pop
Tough, lightweight & responsive carbon construction
Dynamic pop & low spin weight
Early planing lift & reliable edge hold
Maximum upwind drive & grip
Click here for more information
Ace Wood
The all-new Ace Wood board provides a dampened ride for any and all progressive freeriding.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
New bottom and deck shaping
Added rail channels for better grip
Balanced flex patterns tuned for a smooth ride
Dynamic pop and low spin weight
Early planing lift and reliable edge hold
Smooth predictable landings
Click here for more information
CBL
The CBL is ideally suited for wakestyle and cable park riding. Also great in choppy conditions.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Fluid power transfer from any source
Excellent wakestyle performance
Strategic use of basalt for directed flex control
Directed base channeling for finless tracking & smooth release
Grind base & engineered reinforcements for cable riding
Click here for more information
Spectrum
The Spectrum is a versatile board that covers the entire spectrum of conditions and riding styles.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Performs in a wide range of conditions
Excellent upwind tracking
Soft landings
Excels in choppy water
Smooth and predictable board control
Click here for more information
Stylus
The all new Stylus is an all-around freeride board, designed to make the best of lightwind days.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Excellent performance in lightwind conditions
Extra wide outline for early planing
Versatility beneath your feet
Excellent upwind ability
Off-set binding inserts to the heel edge
Click here for more information
Tronic & Tronic SS
The Tronic is designed to thrive in choppy water or carve turns in the surf.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Powerful carving ability
Buttery soft turns
Great upwind performance
Smooth ride in a variety of conditions
Maximum edge control for boosting
Click here for more information
XCal Carbon
The XCaliber Carbon is a podium proven competition freestyle board.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Strategic use of structural carbon
Stiff flex pattern for rapid response & explosive pop
Amazing reflex
Maximum edge control
Excellent upwind drive
Stable high speed landings
Click here for more information
XCal Wood
The XCaliber Carbon is a podium proven competition freestyle board.The XCaliber wood is an all new construction for a performance freestyle board that will widen your playing field.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Tough, lightweight & responsive
Flex patterns tuned for rapid response & excellent grip
Explosive pop & low spin weight
Early planing lift & reliable edge hold
Maximum upwind drive
Click here for more information
Double Agent
Cabrinha’s foil board, the Double Agent, now has a sick, fish-like shape that can be converted into a surf skate. The board comes in two sizes and the foil mast now comes in three sizes. Beginners and riders who need to be careful in shallow water can select a shorter mast.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Fun multi use board: foil / surf skate / wake surf
Easy to use and progress
Lively and responsive shape
Works well in a wide range of conditions
Compatible with our modular foil system Board sold with deckpad, three (3) footstraps, four (4) TT Fins (2x 30mm, 2x 50mm) and mounting hardware
Click here for more information
Surfboards
On the surf side, Cabrinha returns with a trio of directional boards. The S:Quad is made for fast, down the line wave riding. The Spade is a crossover board designed with aerial maneuvers and wave riding in mind. The short and wide Squid Launcher is the ideal choice for strapless freestyle.
S:Quad
Now in its sixth 6th version the S:Quad is back with all of its great power surfing performance.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Tough, lightweight & responsive
Power surfing performance
Signature parabolic ridge design
Double concave deck
Nice grip on the rail for performing strapless tricks
Includes four (4) RTM fins, deck pod pads & mounting hardware
Click here for more information
Spade
Designed for high performance surfing with aerial trickery.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Great for aerial maneuvers
Promotes top to bottom surfing
Turns tight in the pocket
Wide and curvy outline
Incredibly lively under your feet
Includes three (3) RTM fins, deck pod pads & mounting hardware
Click here for more information
Squid Launcher
Freestyle surf skate inspired design. Excellent for strapless aerial tricks.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Great for strapless tricks
Easy to plane
Incredibly lively under your feet
Short and wide outline
Excellent light wind performance
Includes four (4) RTM fins, deck pod pads & mounting hardware
Click here for more information
Alby was among the first to ride the new gear during the official photoshoot in Hawaii and later at ProKite Alby Rondina in Sicily. Even in very light wind, we were surprised that the FX was holding nicely in the air, had perfect relaunch (in very rare case of Alby crashing) and was powerful enough to do some small jumps and tricks.
But let’s hear it from the man himself – Alberto Rondina:
I chose to ride the FX as soon as it came out a few years ago, and I’m stoked about it. It’s a super fun kite, I use it for freestyle, in the waves, for megaloops and foiling! The cool thing is that here in Sicily I get to do all of these things, so with just my FX’s in the car I’m always ready for anything the conditions are offering! With the 2018 model, I can actually tweak the bridle and make it more suitable for each discipline! When it’s super light wind, I use the freeride setting with a foilboard. I also use the freeride setting when the surf is up and I want the kite to sit deeper in the window. When the south wind is pumping and we have WOO competitions, I use the kiteloop setting so the kite is super-fast through the window. It has a similar feel to the 2017 model on this setting. When the wind is perfect for freestyle and we hit the flatwater here in front of the ProKite Alby Rondina center, I tune the bridle on the freestyle mode so the kite sits forward in the window, giving me a whole lot more slack for unhooked tricks!
These new settings on the FX helped us a lot shooting the recent Tahiti video because we missioned there and stayed there all day to shoot. I was powered on 12m using the freestyle setting at the beginning to pull long grabs and have a lot of slack, but then, the wind dropped at sunset right when the light was amazing, so I changed the bridle to the freeride setting so the kite sat deeper in the window and had more low-end power. I still managed to ride and jump in front of the camera. Now I’m checking for a big wave forecast in the area since I am more than eager to switch my twintip for a surf board and get proper vertical in the critical section.
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By Lindsay McClure
Lindsay is a pro rider from Hood River in the USA, she works for IKSURFMAG as our Features Editor and is an integral part of the team. Lindsay is really into wakestyle riding and can be found in the Hood River Slider Park during the summer months, she also travels all over the world with the World Class Academy helping younger riders develop through kiteboarding!
