Cabrinha Radar 9m 2015
Reviews / Kites
56,118
At A Glance
Cabrinha has one of, if not the biggest kite range of all the brands, and you could well think they had all corners covered. They did not think this however, so for 2015 we have been introduced to the Radar. Marketed as a 3strut, do-it-all kite we were keen to try it out. Not only that, it claims to have the ‘best to date’ relaunch of all kites, making one of the first things we wanted to do being to crash it…
A super simple bag is actually a pleasant surprise, often there are too many bells and whistles with kitesurf equipment, so a simple roll top back pack with a bar compartment inside was very welcome. Inflating the kite is a great experience with the Sprint Airlock Valve. Even if you forget your own pump simply pop the nozzle off your friends and away you go. This can be a godsend given the huge range of valves out there at the moment.
The Radar benefits from the 2DR Ripstop, which has been specifically designed for kitesurfing. It is an incredibly stiff and crisp material, which reduces wear and tear thus prolonging the life of your kite. Coupled with the excellent build and craftsmanship we have come to expect from Cabrinha, this will definitely be a long-lasting package.
There are a range of different trimming options available on the back lines of the Radar. Foolproof labelling and easy adjustment makes this kite ideal for those who are just starting out and need that little bit of guidance.
Sizes: 3.5m, 5m, 7m, 9m, 10m, 12m, 14m
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 just 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
Solid is the first word that sprang to mind on launching of the kite. It was super stable in light winds too; the kite had excellent feedback even at the edge of the wind window. Getting your board on is a dream with no worry about whether the kite is still above your head or about to launch you into oblivion; you soon learn to trust that it will be exactly where you left it.
The Radar has a good bottom-end power delivery, which is perfect for those learning who do not want to go out fully maxed when still not 100% confident. Not the best top-end here, but with the lower aspect ratio design also comes the fantastic relaunch, excellent stability and low-end grunt.
The relaunch of this kite really is one of its main draws. So incredibly simple it really does roll over and away you go. A fantastic confidence-building feature such as this really does enable you to forget about the kite and concentrate on progression, rather than coaxing a kite off the water.
The Radar is a super fun kite to fly, and really will ‘do it all’. The constant power had us cruising up wind, down wind, and across the wind with incredible ease, and some lovely floaty jumps were experienced by all. If you are learning your first jumps the constant power and excellent stability will help you land them. Your first unhooked moves will be easy with the less aggressive nature of the kite and super easy relaunch, allowing you to learn those first few passes in confidence.
It’s the waves, however, where the Radar really came into its own in terms of performance. Stable, agile and fast with excellent drift, this kite really surprised us. You can really crank it around the window to pull you around the waves, or just park it and drift it if the angles allow.
"Very easy to fly with an amazing relaunch this kite will get you progressing fast!"
For
The Radar is a great do-it-all kite for those who are perhaps looking for their first kite to last them for years to come.
It is lightweight, with an excellent low-end power delivery getting you out on the water sooner than others.
Its predictable nature and fantastic relaunch will get you progressing as fast as you can without having to worry about your kite.
Against
The Radar, though a do-it-all number, is perhaps not the highest performance all-round kite we have come across. It won’t launch you to the moon nor produce enough slack for the latest double handle pass, but it will provide a whole heap of fun and get you progressing towards both.
Overall
This would be the perfect family kite; put your 10-year-old daughter or your 80-year-old granny on it and they would both have a blast. A really fun and solid do-it-all kite, with incredible relaunch making progression even quicker. The lightweight 3-strut design and robust build would in fact make this an excellent kite travel companion, with an emphasis on waves. If you want a kite to progress on and to have as much fun as possible, then really make sure you give the Radar a fair trial.
Videos
This review was in Issue 49 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit CabrinhaRelated
By Robin and Sukie
With years of kite sport experience combined, you can be sure you’ll be receiving the highest quality of knowledge on the best equipment the industry has to offer.
