The Cabrinha Demo Tour has been on the move, making its way along the South Coast of the UK. With a star-studded lineup featuring Keahi De Aboitiz and Hannah Whiteley, this tour was a can't-be-missed experience! Check out this collection of snapshots and short stories from the road…

POOLE

Richard Salmon: The South Coast of England around Poole is a water sports hub for a good reason. The second largest natural harbour in the world provides sheltered flat conditions for learning and freestyle. At the same time, the open coastal waters face every conceivable direction to scoop up the sketchy summer winds. It's not perfection; its waves are lumpy and wind-blown, and the breeze is often gusty and unpredictable, but all things considered, it's a great spot – after all, it's home, and it's our playground.

Keahi De Aboitiz: Earlier this year, I got a taste of what Poole has to offer on one of my first proper sessions back on a surfboard since I had tweaked my knee a couple of months earlier. Although it probably doesn't look like much to those from more wave-rich areas, I know the conditions we found in Poole would be considered a pretty good day for waves in this area which is blocked from more solid swell due to the coastline. All in all, it was a really fun session with the local frothers, especially after spending a couple of weeks in Holland and France with very limited waves. 

BRANKSOME DENE

Richard Salmon: Tucked away between Poole and Bournemouth is Branksome Dene Chine, a popular location for those who thrive on the prevailing south-westerlies, and it was here that the Cabrinha lunar module touched down for its demo tour on 7th September. Having experienced an uncharacteristically windless end to the summer, we had been crossing our fingers tightly and were delighted when the wind gods decided to kick up a lively breeze. For two days, we were treated to one of the most surreal experiences imaginable – sharing our humble local spot with a world champion and all-around kite, wing and surf legend. 

Keahi has a reputation as one of the most unassuming, engaging and down-to-earth individuals you are likely to meet. Behind the glitz of international adulation, he retains a delightful boyish enthusiasm for all things water-based, along with a genuine readiness to share his passion and experience. Happy to chat but equally keen to get on the water, he somehow turned our tiny waist-high shore break into a suitable arena to display that relaxed and fluid style which is his trademark. Of course, the standout feature of his riding is that he makes it all look so easy; whether winging or throwing strapless aerials, he maintains the demeanour of the Buddha, every movement laced with casual perfection and simplicity. 

With kit wedged sardine-like into the Cabrinha van, there was something for everyone on the gear front. My son, Jack, took the opportunity to experiment with an FX2 and soon discovered a boosting experience second to none while I switched between Motos and Drifters for a little light wave riding on both the lively Spade 5'7 and the more forgiving X-breed. The opportunity to try out a variety of the latest kit while keeping an eye on Keahi's trickery was simply dream-like, and the support and enthusiasm of the whole Cabrinha crew made it all the more enjoyable. 

An evening event at Coast Water Sports & Coffee Shop presented the opportunity for all the local enthusiasts to gather for a showing of Keahi's production of Tunnel Vision and made for a memorable conclusion to the event. However, my son had enjoyed the experience so much that he spent the next week following the Cabrinha van westwards – Oh, the freedom of youth! I would have been there too, but work keeps getting in the way…. 

James Boulding: We were met with two fantastic days of waves, wind and rain in Branksome Dene, and Keahi was quick to get stuck in! During a break in the showers, I jumped into the water with the housing to capture some fish eye shots. The water temperature was still surprisingly warm for September, and Keahi spent his sessions in just a neoprene top, which was what he wore for the majority of the trip; it certainly got some funny looks from the locals at each location!

HAYLING ISLAND

Hannah Whiteley: It was so nice joining the Cabrinha demo in Hayling Island. I have a lot of nice memories from Hayling over the years. When I started competing on the British tour (BKSA) in 2007, there was always an event on Hayling Island. It was a guaranteed good time! Everyone always made it over for this event, the wind was questionable most of the time, but the vibes were always on point! The kitesurfing community is just the best when we all get together, sharing a bit of love and stoke for the sport. You just can't beat it. It was really nice to go back to Hayling for the Cabrinha demo. At this point, I was fresh on the team, and it was such a pleasure to get to know all the crew properly. It really made me feel like I had made the right decision in joining the Cabrinha team, with such a dedicated and fun bunch of employees and team riders. 

The first demo day in Hayling greeted us with some decent wind. I enjoyed a session with teammate Keahi De Aboitiz and James Boulding snapping the shots. It reminded me of the good old days… many years ago, when I was just starting kitesurfing professionally, I did a few shoots with James, as we grew up in the same town! But it's been years since we have shot anything together. 

During the next couple of days in Hayling, the wind was a lot lighter, but it allowed me to check out what's possible with the 15m Contra kite. There was almost no wind at all, and I did not think there was enough for a foil session. But nevertheless, I decided to give it a try with the 15m Contra. That's was a demo day is all about, right?! I was pleasantly surprised that I could happily cruise around on the foil in the sunshine. The new Contra impressively makes every day a windy day! 

James Boulding: Hayling Island served up a weekend of wonderful conditions with old and new friends to share them with. As often happens during the summer months, on a hot, sunny day on the south coast, the morning starts with no wind and clear skies and a gentle sea breeze kicks in into the afternoon. In days gone by, it wouldn't be enough to enjoy a session, but with modern-day foil technology, it's possible to get out and explore in under 10 knots. Keahi set out and all but disappeared with some huge tacks off upwind towards the Isle of Wight. With a very long telephoto lens and clear visibility, you can punch right in on the distance. In this session, Keahi enjoyed the light breeze and got a taste of the British coastline and the unmistakable 'All Saints' Church' during his first trip to the UK. 

BIGBURY

Keahi De Aboitiz: With a few hour drive to the next stop on the tour, we rallied early for a 7 am morning session in Bigbury with a stiff offshore and new long-period hurricane swell filling in. Straight offshore winds are never that easy, but it was a great way to sample the long period lines filling into the bay and wake up before the drive. Big props to James Boulding, who huddled through the rain squalls and nailed a couple of shots before we missioned on to the next spot on our journey.

BANTHAM

Kent Marinkovic: We caught Bantham just about right. To me, it was a quintessentially 'British Day' marked by a light, misty rain, but with waves lining up nicely across the bay and Keahi in his element. I took a walk across a sandy spit to a killer little spot called Burgh Island. It's quite a departure from home where the most historic location in the state of Florida is a 7 Eleven in Jacksonville! I walked up to the Pilchard Inn established in 1336, and as James would say, "they served me up a proper pint". Looking across the bay with its backdrop of green rolling hills and sharp craggy coast, I was thinking that this had to be one of the most distinctive venues for wind and waves on the planet.

DAYMER BAY

James Boulding: On the final stop of the four-month European demo tour, we arrived in Daymer Bay to see some local kitesurfers enjoying the water. Daymer is a stunning big river estuary spanning between Rock and Padstow. We were treated to a day of wind and sunshine, and the water glowed with a fluorescent tinge. On each side of the bay, stunning green farmland rises up out of the golden sand beaches. On its day, Daymer is a world-class wing and kite spot; the guys were lucky to experience a taste of this. It was the perfect end, and all the crew enjoyed toasting the trip's success over some sunset 'Drifter' beers. When the UK is working, it's a stunning mix of unbeatable riding conditions combined with quintessential British scenery and hospitality.

AT THE END OF THE ROAD 

Kent Marinkovic, Cabrinha CEO: I couldn't add much to a demo with rockstars like Hannah and Keahi on board, but James was smart enough to know that if an impromptu beer slam competition popped up, I'd be a ringer for the win. We were so stoked with the epic collaboration that we did with Bluntrock Brewery to brew Drifter Lagers in the UK. Bluntrock did a remarkable job respecting the recipe to recreate a real Drifter Lager. Everyone I met enjoyed the Drifters and was happy to learn about the "Drifter Project" that the brews support. Proceeds from our lagers go toward providing unique wind and wave experiences to individuals that face physical challenges. No one receives a salary, and the funds donated go strictly toward airfare, food, accommodations, and instruction for participants to experience the same energy and power from these sports we have all enjoyed for many years. Kicking back at the Airstream at the end of the day, it was cool to see how a cold beer after a session plays the same no matter where in the world you are. It brings people together, sharing great stories of their last ride and dreams of future travel.

During my short time travelling with the team touring around the Southern UK, the thing that stood out the most was the infinite number of unique and unexplored riding venues. Between Hayling Island and Daymer Bay, we probably passed hundreds of jewels, each likely hiding a unique wave, most of which have probably never been seen, let alone ridden. I really had no idea how prolific the surf culture was in the UK, but after experiencing just a small portion of the vast coastline, it's easy to see why. Unlike places in the US, where most riders would protect a local break with their lives, our team had just the opposite experience in the UK. They had more invitations than time. Me, I'm looking forward to getting back to the UK to experience a bit of the North. The opportunities seem endless.

 

By IKSURFMAG

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