Cabrinha
Explore the complete Cabrinha archive: independent reviews, stories, news and magazine appearances in one place.
Cabrinha Coverage
Cabrinha 2026 Moto Apex
For 2026, the Moto Apex had a full redesign. This isn’t just a tweak; the kite has been reworked with a higher aspect ratio, a lighter airframe, a thinner leading edge, and a more refined bridle setup to push it further into the performance freeride category. Key to that is the use of HT140 material in the leading edge, combined...
Cabrinha Ace
The Cabrinha Ace 2026 is a premium all-round twin tip designed to bridge freeride, freestyle and general progression. It shares design principles with the Ace Apex but uses a full paulownia wood core to deliver a smoother, more controlled ride. Cabrinha’s emphasis is on versatility: the board is intended to plane efficiently, track upwind, manage chop and provide predictable pop...
Cabrinha Ace Apex
The Cabrinha Ace Apex 2026 is a high-end all-round twin tip combining a hybrid core with strategic carbon reinforcement and three-dimensional shaping. It is designed to preserve the Ace family’s versatility while creating a lighter, livelier and more precise response. The board targets riders who move between powered freeride, freestyle and board-off manoeuvres and want premium construction without committing to...
Cabrinha Arcade
The Cabrinha Arcade 2026 is a compact directional board aimed at riders who want one platform for strapless freestyle, small waves and everyday progression. Rather than being shaped only for perfect surf, it is intended to make ordinary sessions more productive and entertaining. Cabrinha combines a rounded nose, compact outline and responsive character with a bottom shape designed to balance...
Cabrinha Drifter Apex
The Cabrinha Drifter Apex 2026 is a surf-oriented kite designed around down-the-line drift, rapid steering and immediate power control. The model’s primary role remains wave riding, where the kite must continue to follow the rider when the lines are lightly loaded, but Cabrinha also positions this generation for strapless freestyle. Its predictable bar feel, pop and controlled landings broaden the...
Cabrinha Moto XL Apex
The Cabrinha Moto XL Apex 2026 is a light-wind freeride kite developed to create useful drive in threshold conditions without becoming slow or cumbersome. It takes the all-round Moto platform into larger sizes and uses Apex materials, draft-forward profiles and low-drag tips to balance early planing power with forward flight. Cabrinha’s aim is to keep the kite lively and intuitive...
Cabrinha Nitro Apex
The Cabrinha Nitro Apex 2026 is a dedicated big-air kite developed for height, hang time and progressive kite loops. Its design places predictability alongside performance, giving riders a consistent platform from their first committed loops through to more powered manoeuvres. Cabrinha has refined the model for 2026 with its updated Airframe inflation system, supported canopy construction and a high-aspect, five-strut...
Cabrinha Rocket
The Cabrinha Rocket 2026 is a directional surfboard created for powered riding, speed and committed carving. Its inspiration comes from fast, old-school directional shapes, but the design is updated with contemporary construction and carefully defined bottom contours. Cabrinha positions it for riders who enjoy holding a strong edge, driving through long arcs and carrying pace across flat water or on...
Cabrinha Skillit
The Cabrinha Skillit 2026 revives a familiar name as a modern all-round directional board for everyday wave conditions. It draws on the original model's reputation without attempting to reproduce the earlier design unchanged. Cabrinha has reworked the shape, construction and bottom contours to suit contemporary riding, while retaining an emphasis on speed, flow and accessible handling. Its target environment is...
Cabrinha Spectrum
The Cabrinha Spectrum 2026 is an accessible freeride twin tip designed to make planing, upwind riding and progression straightforward. Its outline, rocker and flex are tuned for a wide range of conditions and riding styles, while a paulownia wood core and single-concave base provide a smooth, predictable connection to the water. Although positioned as an easy board to ride, it...
Cabrinha Stylus
The Cabrinha Stylus 2026 is a dedicated light-wind twin tip designed to plane early, carry speed and travel efficiently upwind when kite power is limited. It is the most specialised board in Cabrinha’s twin-tip range, using a wide outline, low rocker and large surface area to turn marginal conditions into usable sessions. Its shaping is focused on threshold-wind performance rather...
Cabrinha Switchblade Apex
The Switchblade Apex takes one of the most iconic kites in the sport and gives it a serious performance upgrade for 2026. Built around the same proven five-strut platform, this version introduces a lighter, stiffer airframe using HT140 material in the leading edge. The result is a kite that retains the legendary stability of the Switchblade, but with a more...
2 years ago
Rou Chater breaks down the Cabrinha 2024 Drifter in his latest review! Click here to read the full review.
4 weeks ago
A day on the water is a day well spent!
1 month ago
The all new Switchblade Design Works has been developed specifically to work with the unique characteristics of Aluula construction. Using the proven Switchblade DNA of...
1 month ago
The Fusion Adaptor is the bridge between the proven performance of the Fusion foil system and the next generation Union platform. Designed to allow riders...
2 months ago
Dancing around in paradise!
2 months ago
The Cabrinha Moto providing enough airtime to last a lifetime!
2 months ago
Cape Town bliss...
2 months ago
Creating amazing long lasting memories
2 months ago
Suns shining and vibes are high!
2 months ago
Camdyn keeping himself on his toes!
2 months ago
Big swells and solo rides!
2 months ago
Lofty gusts!
2 months ago
40 knot storms rolling in, let’s GO!
Issue 115
Saint Martin isn’t your typical kite destination. It’s an island where two cultures sit side by side, where conditions shift from flat water to reef breaks in a single session, and where the experience goes far beyond the time you spend on the water. From the steady trade winds of Orient Bay to the raw energy of the outer reefs, and from long French lunches to late nights on the Dutch side, it’s a place that delivers far more than just good kiting. For Theo Demanez, it’s home, and even after travelling the world, it’s still one of the most complete destinations he knows.
Issue 115
Christian and Karine are back again, and they have two new moves for you to learn! First up, they are refining your beach start with the two-footed approach, no more awkward hopping around with one foot in. This is all about dropping the board and springing on in one smooth movement. Then they move on to the beach bounce transition, full of fun, a few inevitable slow-motion wipeouts along the way, but once you have it dialled, you will be in complete control.
Issue 115
As we emerge from winter hibernation, the test team has had a few good days on the water. We’ve got the new ION Seek Select 4/3 on test, a great suit to keep you warm in the tween months either side of summer. Plus, we put two of Cabrinha's flagship kites to the test, the new Switchblade Apex and the Moto Apex!
Issue 114
Kiteboarding has never been just one thing. Yet right now, it feels like we are in danger of forgetting that. In chasing progression, numbers and extremes, the sport has narrowed its focus, even though its greatest strength has always been versatility. This is a reminder of where kiteboarding came from, where it has been, and why its future depends on embracing everything it allows us to do on the water.
Issue 114
We’re keeping it low this issue with a couple of moves which require absolutely no sending. First off, the rather fun and delicate Blind Downloop Transition to Toeside. Don’t let the rather substantial name put you off. If you’re the proud owner of a decent blind, can slide a turn and downloop, then this could be low-hanging fruit in your kiting orchard. Secondly, a trip down memory lane with a move that every self-respecting kiter should have in their bag of tricks, the Popped Nose Grab, hooked in. It’s a feel-good move ,which requires a solid pop and has the potential for your most stylish holiday snap.
Issue 113
What began as a simple idea has grown into a full-time source of news, videos, podcasts, and inspiring content created by a team of passionate kiters. The sport has evolved, and so has the media landscape. Rou opens up about the challenges, the changes, and a new way for our community to support the future of independent kite media.
Issue 113
Hood River has long been whispered about as the ultimate US playground for wind sports, and so Hannah Whiteley finally packed her bags to find out if the hype was real. Two weeks, countless sessions, and a few blueberry scones later, she can confirm that Hood River more than lives up to its legend!
Issue 113
In this issue, Christian and Karine are keeping the stoke high with another round of CKPerformance Technique, and it’s all about toeside mastery. They’re breaking down two essential moves that every rider should have in their toolkit: the toeside waterstart and the jump transition with a toeside landing. Whether you’re looking for smoother transitions, new ways to keep your sessions flowing, or just want to spend more time riding and less time swapping feet, this one’s for you.
Issue 112
In this interview, Jen Tyler sat down with Alby Rondina and Laci Kobulsky to talk about how their partnership all started, the projects that defined their journey, funny fails, creative chemistry, and what’s next for one of kiteboarding’s most dynamic duos!
Issue 111
Should we be worried about the growth of wing foiling? Are lots of kiters making the switch? Is it going to take over kitesurfing? In this feature, Rou Chater dives into decades of water time to ask: Is kitesurfing being replaced, or is this just the latest wave in our sport’s evolution? Let’s find out!
Issue 111
For many riders, a trip to Brazil is an annual ritual, a pilgrimage to consistent wind, buttery lagoons, and good vibes. But for Alby Rondina and Alvaro Onieva, this year’s journey was more than just another kite trip; it marked a full-circle moment. In this feature, Jen Tyler catches up with both of them in Back to Brazil: 20 Years Later!
Issue 111
Christian & Karine are back with a strapless treat to kick things off! Start your session with a cheeky beach start; no more soggy derrieres, just hop and go! Then it’s back to the school of Back Rolls, adding a tail grab and a dash of English mustard for extra style. Good luck!
2 years ago
The ultimate method to wrap up your kitesurfing kite with Cabrinha kite designer, Pat Goodman.
2 years ago
Get ready for another weekend to remember at the Littlehampton Kite & Wing Demo Weekend, back for its 4th year at @thebeachlittlehampton! Join us on...
