Cabrinha Switchblade at a Glance

This blog is a quick look at the Swithcblade. Hopefully it will help you decide if the 2020 Cabrinha Switchblade is the right kite for you. 

What kind of kitesurfing kite

 Cabrinha classifies the Switchblade as a Performance Freeride and big air.

This means the kite excels at hooked in and sent jumps. Things like bankroll hand drags, board offs, simple low kite loop based tricks. Jump transitions and getting a ton of height.

Its okay but not the best for waves and an unhooked. It works surprising well for a freeride kite in those categories so a kitesurfer could use this kite for those disciplines. That said, you’ll get more hooked in performance, ease of use and height from this kite.

Who’s this kite for

Someone who wants a kite that is

• User friendly
• Jumps with little effort from the rider
• Pulls up wind relentlessly
• Easy to do hooked in tricks
• Friendly in gusty winds

The Hooked in Range is exceptional. It loves to ride in gusty winds and it doesn't ask much as far as feedback from the rider. 

The Switchblade is an immensely user friendly kite that has a ton of power. Its not the fastest kite out there but its super stable and forgiving. It's a jack of all trades yet a master of non with the exception of big air and hooked in tricks. 

Who’s might not want this kite

Advanced kitesurfer who want to focus on Foiling, Waves or Unhooked freestyle. There are performance options in these categories as well. For waves and foil, check out the Drifter or Moto. For Unhooked riding or advanced freestyle and kite loops check out the FX.

To use the Switchblade Outside of Freeride and Big Air Kitesurfing 

Wave kitesurfing

Some tips for wave riding this kite are to size down a meter or two.  This will reduce power and increase kite speed. That way you will not get pulled off the waves. 

Freestyle kitesurfing

The unhooked Range on the Switchblade is not as broad as the FX or other C shaped kites. I find its helpful to size down a meter and use board speed to attempt unhooked freestyle tricks. You also need to land as downwind as possible. The switchblade sits forward in the window so it will always pull. In contrast a freestyle kite will generate some slack making blind landings easier.

Kite Hydrofoiling 

The same tip for sizing down helps. The Switchblade won't offer the drift a hydrofoil rider might want. Sizing down allows you to ride a faster kite and generate apparant wind so you can downloop the kite and keep it moving without getting pulled off the hydrofoiil board. 

Ryan (Rygo) Goloversic

Many people dream of quitting their job, traveling the world and pursuing their passions. Rygo is one of those people who pulled the trigger. A few years into his career, he decided to change everything and travel as a kiteboarder, freelance videographer & writer. His mission is to share the stoke & help people put the boarding into their kiteboarding. Get outside and kite!

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Producer of: Ride with Blake I Sessions I Versus I Destinations I Foil Fridays