Nathan Reviews: 2015 Cabrinha FX Kiteboarding Kite

2015 Cabrinha FX Kite Review

MACkite's Nathan has been riding the 2015 Cabrinha FX Kiteboarding Kite for a couple of weeks, and he's ready to unleash some knowledge to the masses. Cabrinha released the FX mid-season, making it the newest kite in their inventory. If you're looking for a "poppy" kite, take a look at what we have to say about the FX. (Also, if you're looking for a really fun afternoon, check out this video with the subtitles. It's a riot!)

Preferred Riders:

• The FX is great for those intermediate riders looking to progress
• Riders that have had previous experience on the Cabrinha Switchblade or North Rebel

What Nathan likes:

• It's an easy-to-ride, performance-oriented freeride kite
• Easy-to-fly, stable platform
• The FX has a light, responsive, and quick feel, especially when turning
• Light bar pressure

What MACkite has to say:

The new FX is Cabrinha's foray into the market space occupied by kites like the Best TS and North Dice. Falling between the Cabrinha Chaos and Switchblade, the FX is defined by its light bar pressure, fast turning, explosive pop, and kite loop potential. This kite is for the rider who wants something a bit more playful than the Switchblade, but doesn't want a "C" kite. The 2015 Cabrinha FX is for the rider who loves to mix hooked and unhooked freestyle tricks. Who loves huge jumps and kite loops. Who likes to surf powered with a kite. Basically, the FX is for the person who wants to make the most of their time on the water.

What our locals say:

 by Marc Hoeksema, local legend

The FX! I've had the chance to get on this kite (12m) a couple times now on the snow in low to mid-teens (that refers to both the air temp and wind speed) and found it to be an awesome mix of some of my favorite kites. It has that great feel of the Drifter, being able to manipulate it deep into the pocket for a downwind rip or zip back into the window for jamming back upwind or loading up for a boost. It also has that nice archy turn that the Chaos has, whipping you around when you want, yet also possesses the comfort of a Switchblade. The bar pressure is great, a little less than most Cab's, and the turning speed is fantastic. It towed me up the dunes with ease as it carries nice power through the turns and let me get some decent glides coming back down. I can't wait to get this kite out in some real boosty conditions - I think it's gonna be a blast. This could just be my new favorite kite, but still have to go out lit up for the final review. For now, the verdict is... it's a rocker!

Discover and learn more about Cabrinha here!