Back to its roots in Maui under the ownership of founder Pete Cabrinha and an investment group passionate about kiteboarding, Cabrinha has undergone many changes in 2020, along with a host of challenges that accompany the arrival of the Pandemic. Stronger than ever and in total control of the company’s direction and product development, the Cabrinha development team has revamped its entire surf lineup, developed a new innovative foil connection system and greatly increased its foilboard offerings to cover multi-discipline sports.
WHAT IS NEW AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL OF YOUR COMPANY FOR 2021?
Cabrinha has had a very busy 2020 year. Kicking things off by celebrating 20 years in business, Cabrinha celebrated by moving out of the Pryde Group in February. This change brought a swift injection of productivity and resources into product development and a ”˜shackles off’ approach moving forwards under new ownership. This thirst for innovation sees new additions to the product development team, including John Bais, an exceedingly talented engineer, who adds to the growing Maui team. With the brand headquarters firmly rooted in Maui, the future is going to be an exciting one for new products. With big developments in the wing and foil scene, Cabrinha’s new 00 range has a plethora of new foil and board options to keep you covered in any discipline.
IS THERE A SINGLE INNOVATION THAT YOU WOULD FIRST LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT?
The completely redesigned new Cab Fusion hydrofoil system revolutionizes Cabrinha’s foil program. The key advantages of the system are stiffness, modularity and efficiency. Every connection has been redesigned to maximize stiffness. This is really where you’ll notice the difference between other options on the market. The integrated carbon front wing and fuselage connection means that when you lean into a turn you get an incredible response with no give in the system. The larger diameter mast and deep fuselage to mast connection add to this for an ultra-stiff setup. It’s all about performance and something that is very noticeable the first time you jump on it.
HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE KITE MODELS IN YOUR 2021 LINEUP IN A NUTSHELL? FOR EACH KITE, WHAT IS THE INTENDED TYPE OF RIDING AND TARGET USER AND KEY CHANGES FOR 2021?
For our 2020 collection, every kite in the line has shifted to Cabrinha’s exclusive new Nano Ripstop canopy material, an exclusive new long-lasting coating that is bonded to the greige cloth by a process called plasma treatment. This is a big difference from our competitors’ canopy materials, where the cloth is just dipped into the coating””plasma treatment keeps your kite feeling crisp and lively throughout the life of the kite while the canopy’s new smaller Nano Ripstop pattern doubles the number of cells in each panel, greatly increasing tear strength while reducing elongation on the bias, which is how a material stretches at 45° to the weave. This is incredibly important when trying to keep a kite’s shape rigid in the sky and to avoid any canopy stretch when it crashes. Cabrinha’s highly anticipated new kite lineup will launch in February 2021, perfectly coinciding with the start of your kiteboarding season.
IF YOU ARE RELEASING A WING PRODUCT THIS YEAR, WHAT IS THE TYPE OF RIDING THAT IS TARGETED AND WHAT ARE THE KEY FUNCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO YOUR WING?
The most eagerly anticipated wingsurfing product this year has been the all-new Crosswing X2, which has some incredibly exciting new features. The X2 has an all-new body outline and inflatable frame which makes it incredibly stiff and rigid. The wing holds its shape while under heavy loads or while boosting massive airs. On first inspection, users will notice the X2’s innovative new double strut which does two things. The top strut helps support the canopy, keeping it rigid and stable, while the bottom is designed for ergonomics and control. The all-new widespan handles provide an immediate response to a rider’s input and steering. They give the rigidity and stiffness of a boom and provide plenty of hand placement options for micro-adjustments in different wind conditions. One of the most noticeable features riders will notice on the new X2 is its incredible low-end power. This added low-end helps you through the lulls and allows you to ride a slightly smaller wing.
WHAT ARE THE NEW AND/OR THE MOST POPULAR MODELS IN YOUR TWIN TIP LINEUP? HOW HAS THAT CHANGED FOR 2021?
Cabrinha offers 10 different models that are perfectly tuned to more than meet the needs of the wide variety of styles, conditions and riders found throughout the world. Our new twin tip line launches in February 2021.
WHAT ARE THE NEW AND/OR THE MOST POPULAR MODELS IN YOUR SURFBOARD LINEUP? HOW HAS THAT CHANGED FOR 2021?
The entire line of Cabrinha surfboards got a refresh this season with new features, new constructions and new outlines. With shapes for all sizes of surf and wind conditions, the all-new line of surfboards covers a massive range of use.
This season we offer two types of constructions: our super tough and durable Bamboo / Cork sandwich construction and our all-new, high performance, lightweight Pro Construction on the Spade and X:Breed models as an extra alternative. Strapless freestyle riders will love the new X:Breed, especially in the Pro construction. With its new bottom channel and lowered rocker line, the X:Breed gets going fast and allows a more aggressive pop into your trick. It’s here where the Pro Construction excels with the reduced weight, honeycomb reinforcements and carbon stringer. The Spade is offered in a 5-fin configuration, adding versatility. In essence, you get one board with two custom personalities with the Spade. Its width has been narrowed, giving it more contact to the water to help load the rail on bottom turns and right before airs. This versatile board steps firmly into the ”˜do it all’ board in the range.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCESSORIES OR OTHER PRODUCT LINES YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY INTRODUCE OR DISCUSS CHANGES/HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2021?
Cabrinha’s range of foilboards has expanded greatly this season. Whether you plan to kite, prone surf or wing, we have you covered. Cabrinha has introduced three new boards for winging this season, each with their own sizing range. The X-Fly is a great entry option which also doubles as a SUP foil board. These boards are high in volume and excellent for mastering wingsurfing. They are incredibly stable and have an early, easy relaunch. The Macro is a dedicated wing board and has a compact high volume design. It gets flying incredibly early and makes pumping effortless. It is very maneuverable and nimble and allows you to excel in all aspects of wingsurfing from boosting airs to nailing your first tacks and jibes. The Autopilot might be the most versatile board in the range though. This triple threat product crosses over from kite foiling to prone foiling to wingsurfing””one board that does it all. One key feature with all of Cabrinha’s foil board range is the 3 or 2-strap configuration as standard which allows you to customize your ride, whatever your preference.
