Cabrinha Ace Hybrid 138 x 41.5cm 2020
Reviews / Twin Tips
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At A Glance
Cabrinha’s extensive twin tip lineup has an option for every rider no matter their style or favoured discipline. The Ace Hybrid sits at the slightly more freeride side of freestyle, and Cabrinha describes it is as being “Designed for freeride creatives looking to bend the rules of gravity” leading us to believe this will be a board suiting a high calibre of rider who will not accept second best in design or performance.
For this 2020 Ace Hybrid, Cabrinha have gone all out with materials. The core of the board is a Paulownia and honeycomb fusion which promises the ultimate combination of strength and weight. Locking this in place are multiple unidirectional Japanese Toray UD carbon strips for increased rebound through chop and tricks, and that explosive pop we all seek.
There is a moderate rocker, but with a flatter midsection that not only gives those ever satisfying slaps as you land a trick but also promotes an easy and accessible plane and upwind angle. A single concave and quad-tip channels give the board an aggressive yet not over-the-top base look, and though the inserts are boot compatible, Cabrinha recommends this board to be used with their H2O binding set for increased comfort and feedback of the board.
Sizes: 135 X 40 / 138 X 41.5 / 141 X 43cm
On The Water
The Ace Hybrid does at first feel slightly bigger than its numbers suggest so if you are between sizes we would advise getting the smaller, this is due to the flat midsection and early planning which are fantastic for those early rides and getting going. This by no means reduces the Ace Hybrid to a beginner board; however, it is far, far more than that.
The Ace Hybrid comes alive when ridden fast with some good rider input, frankly speaking, you need to be riding the board rather than being carried along. A relatively stiff flex when thinking of a strap-focussed board, you will need some solid back foot pressure to find the beauty of it. Of course, if this is you and you are a lively powerful rider, the Ace Hybrid is one of those boards that will keep you going back for more.
Hugely lively, the Ace Hybrid will inspire you to keep throwing tricks. Masses of grip through the rails for loading against and a low swing weight makes for some old-school big air trickery; you can throw the board, and yourself, around with ease. Landings are good with suitably effective grip, and the rocker helps to soften those heavier drops.
This Ace Hybrid has a very quick nature both in its riding speed, but also its rebound once loaded. This leads to some insane unhooked pop potential, which thankfully is completely accessible in straps.
Overall
The Ace Hybrid is classic Cabrinha; smooth, smart, and an absolute blast to ride. Incredibly versatile, Cabrinha have taken the twin tip design and made a pretty special offering with the Ace Hybrid. For assertive, experienced kiters who want a board to keep up with them no matter the discipline, this is an absolute winner, and you would be hard-pressed to find something more suitable.
Videos
For more information visit Cabrinha
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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!
