A Cabrinha kite combines in-house developments, such as the bridle, the profile and the inflation system, with carefully chosen materials from specialist manufacturers. Together they make a kite that is light, holds its shape and reacts directly to your bar. These are the key technologies.

Ultra HT
Ultra HT is a frame material Cabrinha uses exclusively in its Apex series. It was developed specifically for leading edges and struts: strong, stable and with very little stretch. That keeps the frame in shape, even in a hard gust or during a kiteloop, so every steering input goes straight to the kite. A special coating adds extra durability. Ultra HT first appeared in the Nitro and now forms the frame of the Switchblade, Nitro, Drifter and Moto XL Apex. The Moto Apex uses a different combination: an HT140 leading edge with Aluula struts.

Aluula and Teijin D2
For the lightest and stiffest frames, Cabrinha uses Aluula, a composite material from the Canadian manufacturer Aluula Composites. In the Moto Apex, Aluula sits in the outer struts for extra stiffness when the wind picks up and a kite that turns tighter. The Switchblade Design Works has Aluula Gold in the leading edge and struts, for a lighter, stiffer and more direct feel. You will find more kites with this material among our Aluula kites. The canopy of the Apex kites is made from Teijin D2 Ripstop, a light and hard-wearing cloth from the Japanese manufacturer Teijin. It deforms very little under load and springs back to its original shape, so the profile of your kite stays tight for longer.

Pure Form panels
With Pure Form panels, Cabrinha cuts the canopy so the profile is as accurate as possible, especially at the front where the air meets the kite. The smoother the airflow, the more efficiently the kite flies. In short, you get more out of the same wind.

Apex bridle and Vert-X
The Apex bridle uses thinner lines with less stretch. That means less drag and a quicker response to your steering. Cabrinha fine-tunes the bridle per model. The Switchblade Apex flies without pulleys in the bridle, for a light and direct steering feel. The Switchblade Design Works has the Vert-X bridle, which lets you choose between a High-Y and a Low-V setup. A high V gives more support in strong wind and tighter kiteloops.

Airframe and Featherlite bladders
Cabrinha has offered single-point inflation for years, first with the Sprint system and now with Airframe. According to Cabrinha, this inflation system is designed for simplicity, durability and worldwide compatibility, so your kite is ready quickly and packed away fast after your session. The Featherlite bladders are lighter than earlier bladders and bring the total weight down further. A lighter kite stays in the air more easily when the wind drops.

Bullet Proof Bumpers
A kite regularly lands on its leading edge on the beach or on rocks. The Bullet Proof Bumpers are TPU protectors that run over the leading edge seam and, thanks to a new production process, stand up better to scuffing on hard ground.

HTD Lite
Looking at a previous-season Cabrinha? Then that kite often has a frame made of HTD Lite, a lighter material developed specifically for inflatable structures. On the Lite Frame, the leading edge and struts are fully HTD Lite, as on the Moto X and the Drifter. The Hybrid Frame combines HTD Lite in the struts with a different material in the leading edge, as on the Switchblade and the FX2.

Power control: set the power yourself
You can tune how much power a Cabrinha kite delivers. The pigtails at the back of the kite have several knots. Attach your back lines to the knot closest to the kite and you get more power. Choose a knot closer to you and the kite delivers less power, which is handy when the wind picks up. The middle setting is usually the recommended base setting.

Is your favourite Cabrinha kite or colour out of stock? Get in touch and we will see whether we can order it for you.

Cabrinha kites cover every discipline, and over the years models have come, stayed and gone. Some names, like the Switchblade, have been around for twenty years. Other kites have made way for a successor. Below you will read in short what sets each Cabrinha kite apart, from the current collection to older models you may still come across as a previous-season or second-hand kite. Our team kitesurfs themselves, so if you are not sure which kite or size suits you, just ask us for advice.

Cabrinha Switchblade
The Cabrinha Switchblade has been the brand's flagship since 2006 and is one of the best-selling kites on the market. It is a five-strut kite known for its stability, lift and long hangtime. The Switchblade is very forgiving, so beginners progress quickly on it, while advanced riders use it to jump high and far. It stays calm in gusty wind and relaunches easily after a crash. The current Switchblade Apex has an Ultra HT frame and a bridle without pulleys, so it reacts the moment you pull the bar. A go-to choice for freeride and jumping.

If you want even more, there is the Switchblade Design Works. This version has Aluula Gold in the leading edge and struts, which makes it lighter, stiffer and more direct. Compared with the Moto Apex it gives you more support and wind range when you are powered up and jumping. The Design Works is aimed at intermediate to advanced riders. You will find more kites with this material among our Aluula kites.

Cabrinha Nitro
The Cabrinha Nitro is the brand's big air kite. In 2023 the name returned with a completely new kite, built to jump as high as possible. The Nitro is a five-strut kite with a high aspect ratio and an Ultra HT frame. It flies far forward in the wind window, goes upwind quickly and gives long hangtime and smooth kiteloops. On the rear line attachments you choose between a lighter steering feel with faster turns or more bar pressure. The Nitro is made for advanced and expert riders who mostly ride hooked in on a twintip and want to get the most out of their jumps. Also check out the other big air kites.

Cabrinha Moto
The Cabrinha Moto launched in 2019 as a versatile crossover kite and has been a fixture in the collection ever since. It is a three-strut kite with light bar pressure, good light wind performance and a stable, predictable character. With one Moto you can freeride, foil, ride waves and freestyle, and beginners fresh out of lessons quickly feel at home on it. From 2023 it was called the Moto X, with more power and speed. The current Moto Apex has Aluula in the outer struts, so it reacts even faster and turns tighter.

For light wind days there is the Moto XL, the light wind version of the Moto. It is built to get you on the water when the wind is only just picking up, and it relaunches easily when it is almost windless.

Cabrinha Drifter
For the waves there is the Cabrinha Drifter, the brand's wave kite for more than ten years. The Drifter is a three-strut kite that excels at drift. When you ride down a wave, it hangs calmly in the sky while you carve your turns, without pulling on you. It steers quickly and is also popular with strapless freestylers. The current Drifter Apex has chopped wingtips designed specifically for surfing and drift, and an Ultra HT frame. A great choice if you head into the waves with a directional board.

Cabrinha Contra
For years the Cabrinha Contra was the brand's light wind kite. The Contra 3S had three struts and came in large sizes of 13, 15 and 17 metres, so you could ride a twintip in very little wind. In 2021 the Contra 1S joined the line-up, a single-strut version in smaller sizes for freeride foiling. Later came the Contra Aether, also with one strut and mainly intended for foiling in light wind. Today the Moto XL covers light wind in the Cabrinha range.

Cabrinha FX and FX2
The Cabrinha FX arrived in 2016 as a new freestyle and crossover kite. It was a three-strut kite that loved big air but could also handle technical unhooked tricks. Team rider Nick Jacobsen helped develop the FX, and many riders chose it for its jumping qualities. It was later followed by the FX2, a kite for freestyle and progressive big air, with a modern profile for plenty of hangtime and good forward drive.

Cabrinha Crossbow
The Cabrinha Crossbow from 2005 was a bow kite with a flat shape and plenty of depower: push the bar away and the kite lost most of its power. That made kitesurfing a lot safer. From 2009 the Crossbow came with IDS, the Intelligent Depower System, which let you depower the kite in two steps until you could land it on your own. Later versions had five struts, a big wind range and lots of hangtime, and were popular with freeriders and racers.

Cabrinha Nomad
The Nomad arrived in 2010 as a completely new kite and filled a gap in the collection: a real freestyle kite for advanced riders. It was a hybrid kite with a shape close to a C-kite, six struts and IDS as standard. According to Cabrinha, it was the fastest-turning kite in the range at the time. It built up power in the turn, which made it popular with riders doing unhooked tricks and kiteloops. With two bridle settings you could tune it for freestyle or for wave riding, with extra depower for riders surfing hooked in. Cabrinha now uses the Nomad name again, for a parawing for downwind foiling.

Cabrinha Vector
Around 2012 the Vector was Cabrinha's accessible all-round kite. It was a three-strut hybrid kite with a bridle without pulleys that steered easily, relaunched well and was efficient in light wind. It felt predictable and stable, with light bar pressure that was comfortable during long sessions. In shape it resembled the Drifter, but it went upwind better. That made the Vector a popular choice for riders who had just taken their first steps and for freeriders looking for one kite for changing conditions.

Cabrinha Velocity and Apollo
For riders after speed and efficiency, Cabrinha had the Velocity. This was a bow kite with a high aspect ratio and a flatter arc, with the most power per square metre in the whole collection. The Velocity was used in racing and was also popular with dedicated freeriders. In 2017 came the Apollo, a slim, high aspect kite for performance freeride. The Apollo went upwind strongly, had a big wind range and was very well suited to foiling.

Cabrinha Chaos and Radar
You may also still come across two other older models. The Chaos was a freestyle C-kite for wakestyle, handle passes and boosting, with a direct steering feel and lots of pop. It flew on four lines plus two extra lines supporting the leading edge, and had its own Chaos 1X bar. Keep that in mind when you look for parts. The Radar was a forgiving three-strut kite with smooth power delivery, popular with kite schools and beginners, and also suitable for learning to foil or ride waves.

About model years
Cabrinha updates its kites per collection, but not every model gets an update every year, and names sometimes change. The Moto, for example, became the Moto X and later the Moto Apex. From 2021 to 2024 Cabrinha numbered its collections: 01 stands for 2021, 02 for 2022, 03 for 2023 and 04 for 2024. Current kites carry the year in their name, such as the 2026 Switchblade Apex. Some models also come in several versions, such as an Apex version with Ultra HT or a version with Aluula. Looking for a model that is no longer in the latest collection? Kitemana often still has an earlier model year, and you will find reduced Cabrinha gear in our Cabrinha sale. Not sure what changed between model years? Just ask us. Spare parts for your Cabrinha kite are in our Cabrinha spare parts.

You are a beginner
As a beginner you want a kite that reacts predictably, relaunches easily and forgives your mistakes. According to Cabrinha, both the Switchblade Apex and the Moto Apex suit riders from beginner to advanced. The Switchblade feels calm and stable, even in gusty wind, and helps you progress step by step. The Moto is lighter on the bar and more agile, which is nice if you want to try foiling or wave riding later. Starting from scratch? Then also take a look at a Cabrinha kitesurf set with kite, bar and board in one. Want to know more about choosing your first kite first? Read our beginner's guide to kites.

You want a good all-round kite
Riding a twintip one day, a surfboard the next and foiling now and then? Then the Moto Apex is the most versatile choice. Cabrinha rates it highest for freeride, but it also performs well for surf, freestyle, big air and foiling. Torn between the Moto and the Switchblade? The Switchblade has five struts and stays more stable in strong and gusty wind, with more lift and hangtime. The Moto has three struts, turns faster and feels more playful. So choose the Switchblade if you mainly freeride and jump, and the Moto if you like to switch between kiteboarding disciplines. You will find the matching board among our Cabrinha kiteboards.

You want to jump as high as possible
For big air, the Nitro Apex is the kite Cabrinha builds specifically for it. It is meant for advanced to expert riders who ride hooked in on a twintip and feel at home in strong wind. Want to jump but not ready for the Nitro yet? Then the Switchblade Apex is a good step up thanks to its lift and hangtime. The Switchblade Design Works sits in between: with Aluula Gold it is lighter and more direct, and it gives you more support and wind range than the Moto when you are sending it.

You prefer riding strapless
In the waves you want a kite that stays put while you ride down the wave. The Drifter Apex is made for exactly that. It drifts calmly with you, steers quickly and is also popular with strapless freestylers. Do you also ride a lot of twintip next to the waves? Then the Moto Apex is an alternative, as Cabrinha also rates it highly for surf.

You foil or ride a lot in light wind
For light wind days there is the Moto XL Apex, in sizes of 13, 15 and 17 metres. It is built for threshold winds where many kites don't fly well yet, and it relaunches easily when it is almost windless. The Moto Apex is also a great foil kite, especially if you want to use it for other disciplines too. You will find more options among our light wind kites.

Which size should you choose?
The right size depends on your weight, the wind you usually ride in and the model. Cabrinha lists a wind range per size for a 75 kg rider. A 9 metre Switchblade Apex, for example, flies in roughly 13 to 27 knots and a 12 metre in 9 to 21 knots. A 9 metre Moto Apex covers 15 to 34 knots. If you are heavier, go one size up or count on a bit more wind. If you are lighter, you can go smaller. Not sure about the model or size? Our team kitesurfs themselves and is happy to help. Call or email us.

For current Cabrinha kites, the Unify bar is the logical choice: the 48 cm width for kites up to about 10 metres and the 53 cm width for kites from 10 to 17 metres. Your bar largely decides how your kite feels. It translates your steering to the kite, controls your power and is your safety system when things go wrong. At Cabrinha that went from the Overdrive with Fireball or Quickloop, via the C.O.S., to the Unify.

The Cabrinha Unify bar. The Unify is Cabrinha's most advanced control system and the bar the brand recommends for kites like the Switchblade Apex and the Moto Apex. It flies as a Low-V as standard, but you can also set it up as a High-V for more support in strong wind and tighter kiteloops. After rotations the lines untwist by themselves, and as standard you fly on 22 metre lines with 2 metre extensions.

The C.O.S. and the C.O.S. Overdrive. Before the Unify, Cabrinha used the C.O.S. system, found on the Overdrive bar among others. It combines 1X safety with a connection you can swap without tools, for example from a freeride loop to a freestyle loop. With separate extensions you can fly lines between 18 and 24 metres.

Fireball or Quickloop? Older Overdrive bars came with one of two connections. The Fireball, available since 2016, replaces your chicken loop and harness hook with a ball the kite rotates freely around. That works well for freeride and wave riding. If you want to do unhooked tricks, choose the Quickloop. You could also choose between a simple Trimlite trim with one line and the Recoil trim with separate lines for more and less power.

An older Cabrinha or another brand? An older Cabrinha usually works fine with a bar from the same period, except for IDS kites and the Chaos, which have their own bar. A Cabrinha bar can often be used on kites of other brands too, as long as the line lengths and connections match. Still, we don't necessarily recommend mixing bars and kites from different brands: each brand tunes them to work together, which gives you the best performance.

Check out all Cabrinha bars or go for a complete Cabrinha kitesurf set. Spare parts for your bar are in our Cabrinha bar spare parts.