Cabrinha Convert 12m 2008
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
Cabrinha have 4 kites in their line up this year and the Convert is their entry-level freeride kite. Aimed at the kiter fresh out of lessons it also packs in a fair amount of versatility to ensure you won’t grow out of it. It is a pure Bow style design and along with that shape come a heap of benefits. Out of the bag the kite is well equipped with the Sprint one pump system and comes as standard with the Powerdrive 2N1 S control system. Cabrinha have always been famous for their innovative safety systems and have been the leader of the pack when it comes to thinking up new safe ways to go kitesurfing. Pioneers of the Recon re-launch method a few years back and one of the first companies to switch over to full Bow kite production in 2006 Cabrinha have always kept safety in mind. The bar features the Overide 2 stopper system, which allows the rider to simply set the amount of tension at which they want the stopper to release. Set it loose if you’re learning and as you improve set it a little firmer to avoid accidentally setting it off. The unit also incorporates the bungee power adjusters, which is one of the neatest solutions to depower that we have seen on a kite. No longer will there be lines or webbing flapping in the wind as you ride…
In The Air
Being an entry level kite Cabrinha have made this kite super easy to re-launch, by utilising a continuous curvature on the leading edge and swept back wingtips all set at the right angles they have produced a kite that has a minimal contact with the water. When you crash the Convert it can easily be re-launched without taking your hands off the bar. You can simply point one side of the bar at the kite and that is all you need to do. This makes it great when you’re learning and don’t want to take a hand off the bar for safety reasons. Of course if the wind is a little light or you want to get it off the water in a hurry grabbing the outside line will speed up the process. In the air the Convert is very stable and predictable. Small movements in the bar won’t affect the kite too much and this will appeal to people putting their board on for the first time. But when you make a positive movement on the bar then the kite will turn with a smooth arc delivering a constant power. It isn’t the fastest kite through the air but it is quick enough to still be able to throw it about and get some performance out of it. Jumping is good and while the yank off the water may not be too forceful the Convert has plenty of glide and hangtime so you certainly get a good feeling of air! Depower on the Convert is great, even more so on the 2:1 setting on the bar. The convert can be flown in either 1:1 or 2:1 mode. When it is set up 1:1 the steering is a little more direct and the bar pressure is lighter. In 2:1 mode the steering arc of the kite is speeded up and the bar pressure is a little heavier. If you are learning then the shorter depower throw in 2:1 mode will appeal allowing you to get rid of the power quickly and efficiently.
For
A very easy kite to fly and relaunch, the added safety systems on the bar will make it very appealing to a lot of riders out there. Beginners will love it but you won’t grow out of the Convert in a hurry, the perfect kite for your first couple of seasons on the water.
Against
The more experienced riders out there will appreciate a faster kite for freestyle, but don’t overlook it as a wakestyle pulling machine.
Overall
A great kite from Cabrinha for those taking their first steps into the sport, the super easy re-launch will give you more hours flying the kite and less time looking at it in the sea!
This review was in Issue 9 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit CabrinhaRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
