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Sizes Available: 13, 15, 17, 19m
Sizes Tested: 13m

Cabrinha Says:

The Contra is a three strut light wind kite designed to optimize low-end power while retaining the finesse that keeps this kite fun to fly. The high aspect ratio maximizes power production and makes generating power and speed a snap. Our trademark depower-on-demand makes managing this power effortless, allowing it to execute sharp and precise turns. Tuned to deliver the type of performance that will widen the scope of what you can do in light winds, the Contra has the power to get you up and riding when the winds are barely showing signs on the water. For 2017 we added pure profile panels to and brought the struts closer to the center to increase canopy support.

Visit for more info: www.cabrinhakites.com/kite/contra.html

Our Testers Say:

“Lets you boost like a rocket and land like Mary Poppins.” // Chris Borodic.

“A grunty, stable and consistent power source. The Contra is great for learning new tricks in light winds or for foiling. It’s very well behaved and delivers when you need it.” // Dray Murray.

“Like driving a cement mixer on sedatives, the Contra has tons of power but isn’t in a hurry to turn. Once loaded up, it pops riders up for lofty airs and provides controlled, stable landings.” // Justin Lord.

Meet Our Testers
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TKB Says:

The Contra is back for 2017 as Cabrinha’s medium aspect light wind canopy with swept back wingtips and a stable three-strut canopy. The Contra delivers a consistent grunty pull with very comfortable medium bar pressure and smooth predictable power delivery. The Contra’s main selling point is that it delivers grunt with fairly good steering response and turning speed that helps you keep it in the meat of the wind window. The Contra turns in a larger steering arc rather than a tight pivot but generates good power throughout maneuvers. The 3-strut frame delivers a solid balance between crisp canopy shape and a light overall feel, while the impressive pull makes this a no-brainer choice for extremely low wind freestyle sessions.

For this year’s test Cabrinha sent us three options each outfitted with the Fireball system: 1) Overdrive 1X with Recoil (Adjustable bar ends with spring/tuning strap) 2) Overdrive 1X with Trim Lite (Adjustable bar ends with cam cleat tuning) and 3) 1X with Trim Lite.

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The Fireball system offers a proprietary ball and socket connection between the control bar and your harness. Most testers chose to use the supplied NP harnesses with the Fireball spreader bar attached. The Fireball brings the pivot point between harness and kite closer to your body which tended to reduce the spreader bar from ratcheting upward into your ribs and reduced the harness’ propensity to rotate. Some testers praised the Fireball for keeping the throw close to the body and for making back rolls and toeside riding easier and more comfortable. The Fireball is a fairly clean push away quick release with a below the bar hand swivel that doubles as a release guard. The quick release handle has a notch similar to last year’s that locks the handle in the open position for an easier reset in the water. While some testers were indifferent or resistant to adopting a new harness system, the one very clear advantage of the Fireball is doing away with the traditional chicken loop and donkey dick system and it’s potential to create a false or “foul hooked” situation in which the bar becomes unhooked seconds after launch or midway through a session. If you’ve ever seen a beginner negotiate the perils of a foul hooked situation on a rock studded beach, then you’d know that the safety feature of the Fireball sells itself.

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The Overdrive 1X with Recoil is a dual adjustable length bar (48cm/56cm or 57cm/65cm) that riders can adjust on the water. The Recoil features a streamlined single center-line safety depower system, low V, and a fixed length durable plastic sheeting/throw line which combines above the bar tuning with longer travel throw while keeping controls well within the rider’s reach by using extension handles. The plastic depower/throw line doesn’t include an adjustable stopper but the spring loaded controls act to keep the bar within reach when let go. The center lines end in a knot and the outside lines end in loops. Testers commented on the Overdrive 1X’s slightly thicker grip diameter and liked the rubber texture of the hand grip.

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The Overdrive 1X with Trim Lite is a dual adjustable length bar (48cm/56cm or 57cm/65cm) that riders can adjust on the water. This bar features a streamlined single center-line safety depower system, low V, and a fixed length durable plastic sheeting/throw line which combines above the bar tuning via a cam cleat. This is likely Cabrinha’s answer to those riders that prefer a simpler bar layout than the spring/tuning strap (Recoil version). The center lines end in a knot and the outside lines end in loops. Testers commented on the 1X’s slightly thicker grip diameter and liked the rubber texture of the hand grip.

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The 1X with Trim Lite is a fixed length bar (44cm, 52cm and 60cm) that features a streamlined single center-line safety depower system, low V, and a fixed length durable plastic sheeting/throw line which combines above the bar tuning via a cam cleat (another option to Cabrinha’s Recoil system). The center lines end in a knot and the outside lines end in loops. Compared to the adjustable bar ends of the Overdrive, the 1X with Trim Lite is overall lighter and requires smaller floats. Testers commented on the 1X’s slightly thicker grip diameter and liked the rubber texture of the hand grip. Cabrinha also offers this bar’s adjustable length bar ends (Overdrive) with the Trim Lite simplified cam cleat tuning system instead of the spring/tuning strap/extensions of the Recoil tuning system.

Visit for more info on the bar: www.cabrinhakites.com/controlsystems/overview.html