Cabrinha Chaos 9m 2015
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Cabrinha Chaos is the all out freestyle machine from the brand, used to devastating effect by Liam Whaley on the PKRA where he finished 3rd this year. Everything about the Chaos has been designed with high-end freestyle and wakestyle riding in mind. It is a 5-strut high aspect kite with a C-Shape profile and aggressive wingtips for total control.
The build quality is exceedingly high with lots of reinforcements in the frame and Cabrinha’s 2DR canopy material for improved non-stretch and strength characteristics. There are tuning options on the pigtails so you can tune the bar pressure and power, plus the kite features the Dynamic Arc technology that allows it to open up and re-launch much easier.
The bridle on the kite is simple and very short, unlike some bridles that connect to the entire leading edge the bridle here just connects to the area around the front of the wing tip. There is a pulley system to improve the turning speed and allow the kite to move a little as you sheet in and out.
Sizes: 5.5m, 7m, 8m, 9m, 11m, 13m
The Bar
The new QuickLoop 1X control system has been reworked for this year and includes some very innovative features. It’s one of the most impressive bars we have seen on the market so far. The QuickLoop itself facilitates a really easy quick release and the system is so simple you can put it back together with one hand in a matter of seconds!
There is a spacer above it to ensure you can release even when the bar is pulled right in by an obstruction. This spacer also doubles up as a ball to untwist the lines, it is really easy to use and works perfectly. The bar itself can be widened or shortened by up to 8cm by adjusting the bar ends. The system is metallic and internal, so should stand the test of time.
All the safety lines and chicken loop line run internally through the special double tunnel PU tubing through the bar, meaning there is no wear at all to any of your lines when using the kite. Kite trim is catered for by the pull-pull Recoil Trim Adjustment system, this is easy to reach at any time and very effective, it also allows you to spin the lines without totally depowering the kite.
In The Air
The Chaos as a really positive direct feel at the bar that lets you know where it is at all times. It is also very direct and responsive to steering input too, you can really crank the kite through a rapid turn when you want to. Bar pressure was medium, it’s not super light on the bar, but plenty of riders enjoy having that extra bit of feedback.
The kite is also very stable, lending itself well to unhooked tricks as it will keep trucking through the air while you throw your move. When you unhook the kite is very well behaved and you can build a good progressive edge to ensure you get a solid pop. On take off the kite instantly flies forwards in the window, the high aspect nature of the profile allowing it to do so.
Relaunch of the Chaos is a lot trickier than a more hybrid style design. Those riders who are used to re-launching C kites will know the technique, in strong winds it is easy but when the wind is light you really need to move towards the kite to get it to roll over onto its back.
Upwind is great, the high aspect design pulling far forwards in the window, allowing you to go for trick after trick and not lose ground, perfect for riding heats in a competition. Jumping is great too, there is a very aggressive pull of the water and while the kite doesn’t offer lots of float in the air it makes up for it in height.
Kite loops are great fun with this kite, it really develops impressive power as it goes around the loop, towards the end it will accelerate up to the zenith for a soft landing. You’ll be grinning like an idiot after a few big ones when the kite is powered up!
For
If you want an all out competition C-Kite then the Chaos fits the bill well. It is aggressive offering superb pop and release characteristics with powerful kiteloops. Upwind is great and the top end wind range is very high, we liked the short simple bridle and the bar set up is very polished.
Against
Some riders may find the bar pressure a little heavy, depending on your usual style of riding. Whilst the bar is fantastic and works really well, it would be good to see a simplified freestyle bar for this kite, the spring seems like overkill for this style of kite.
Overall
The Chaos comes in an impressive package, well built with a great bag, a fast inflation system and great bar all the elements are here. In the air it is fast, aggressive and delivers plenty of performance, enough to satisfy the most demanding of riders!
Videos
This review was in Issue 48 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!
