Sometimes you are lucky and you just get the Cabrinha Switchblade to test well. We did that immediately. 3 women strong, have had the yellow canvas do their job on a sunny Sunday at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands!
Switchblade general information
The Cabrinha Switchblade is the all-round / freeride kite of this brand. A kite that is predictable, with unprecedented high-end performance, uncompromising for the demanding kite surfer. Core values of the Switchblade are:
- Force
- craftsmanship
- Style
Switchblade has the reputation of being the world’s best freeride kite and Cabrinha naturally wants to match this with the 2020 version. With the previous models, world records have jumped and Cabrinha wants to keep this reputation.
What makes Switchblade particularly special is the simplicity to fly the kite, the balance and power that the kite has and yet feels light. According to Cabrinha itself, this is the most predictable and reliable kite of the moment.
The kitebag
We have received a 12 meter Switchblade 2020 from Kitemana from Katwijk.
When I get the kitetas in my hands it immediately strikes me that the kitebag is made of a very strong material. The kite is undoubtedly safely packed in this. You can unzip the front completely so that you can easily grab the kite and put it away again. On the side there are sturdy compartments for the bar and the pump that easily open and close with Velcro. There is also a small storage compartment in it and on top a place to label your kitebag.
The kitebar Overdrive
The kitebar is an Overdrive Modular. Great bar to sail, we had the 60 cm variant, which is nice and quick to steer with a 12 meter kite. The bar is well adjustable, the quick release feels a bit light. A single line flag out is used.
The kite
If we take the kite out of the bag, we have a crackling yellow cloth in our hands. We find the colors a bit boring, but well, that is a matter of taste. It is a 5-struts hybrid design, with a fusion wingtip shape and draft forward profile. That is a whole mouth full, what it comes down to is the following:
A true freeride / big air kite for the all-round kiter!
The canvas: Nano Ripstop
Cabrinha uses Nano ripstop construction that consists of:
- Coating
- Plasma treatment
- Nano Ripstopweave
Nano Ripstop construction ensures that the fabric is twice as strong and therefore lasts longer.
Kite finishing
The kite is very well finished, all materials used are top quality, you can feel that and you can see that. The settings on the pigtails are labeled. There is extra protection against wear on the struts. The bridles pulleys are of excellent quality. Nothing has been cut back.
Apart from the fact that they put this themselves on their website, it is also our experience and the photos support this.
Pump system
The kite can be pumped in one go with the default connection of the pump. Inflate and deflate is beautifully finished with a protective cap.
The Kite as a flying machine
As mentioned, we have the 12 meters and this is good, because there is a moderate wind, barely 14 knots. So that is wonderful cruising through the surf and little jumping. Fortunately, there are enough points left where we can test the kite. The sun is shining and there is a reasonable wave: we are looking forward to it!
The kite flies quietly to the corner of the wind window when being released and stands fine. What strikes me immediately is the delicious bar pressure, not too light, not too heavy. The kite is set to standard, fine for me. My kitemates, who later go on the water, experience this as well. Although I have never sailed a Switscblade before, I immediately feel where it is.
As soon as I go on the water and have board under my feet, I send in and sail towards the North Sea waves. The kite stays calm and pulls me through the surf, which is pretty fierce, a mess, say. I can easily steer the kite with one hand, so that I stay well balanced and sail planee in no time.
The pressure in the kite is constant, hangs nicely in the air, feels very confident and also predictable, nothing has been lied to by the guys from Cabrinha. Despite the 5-strut it sends quickly, but that is also due to the 60 cm bar. Walking height is also good, without too much effort the kite sails well, despite the 14 knots and the small board on which I stand. After a few good synuses, the speed is good and I glide over the water, through the waves … delicious!
Relaunch
It is a 5-struts kite so I expect a quick relaunch, but a bit impatient, it takes me some effort to get the kite out of the water again. This is partly because I don’t know the kite well and the wind is moderate. My buddy thought the relaunch went well.
Conclusion
With the Switchblade 2020, Cabrinha has put another super reliable and predictable kite on the market. A true all-rounder that everyone can work with. As a beginner you will especially appreciate his forgiveness. If you make a mistake, you will not be punished. The kite is extremely stable. We have not really been able to jump, but you feel that the kite has power and can take you to great heights. Used materials are of top quality, but there is a price tag, the kite is in the most expensive segment. If you can afford this, it is worth adding Cabrinha Switchblade to your quiver.
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