2012 & 2011 Cabrinha Kiteboarding Kites - Switchblade IDS, Crossbow IDS, Nomad IDS, & Convert IDS, Vector, & Drifter

2012 & 2011 Cabrinha Kiteboarding Kites - Switchblade IDS, Crossbow IDS, Nomad IDS, & Convert IDS, Vector, & Drifter

Check out the new 2012 Cabrinha Kiteboarding Kites by scrolling to the bottom of this page!

Now On Sale! - 2011 Cabrinha Switchblade 11.0, 7.0, & 6.0.0 kites! Get the best gear at the best price of the season!

2012 Cabrinha kites feature the new IDS system, with a spinning safety, have faster turning speeds, improved water relaunch, the new IDS control bar with Recoil, and a different canopy material for more durability.



Cabrinha has consistently lead the way in technology and performance. They invented the "bow" style kite with the first Crossbow kite. They continue the trend with the IDS(Intelligent De-power System).

Which kiteboarding kite is right for you?

There are a lot of kiteboarding kites on the market today. The choices can be overwhelming. I put this section together to try to take some of the mystery out of the selection process.

No one kite excels at all disciplines, this is why kiteboarding companies will produce mulitiple kites & kiteboards. You need to try to choose what your riding style is and/or will be and then select the kite and the kiteboard that best matches your style of kiteboarding. Don't limit yourself to just one style. Many kiteboarders will have mulitple kiteboards and kites for different sessions. ie: A wave kite and kiteboard and a freestyle kite and kiteboard.

Choose your riding style by looking at the description here:

Freeride - All Around Riding - Freeride Kites are the Cabrinha Crossbow, Convert kites, and Cabrinha Vector Kites

Wakestyle - Unhooked Powered Pop Tricks - Switchblade IDS kiteboarding kites

Freestyle - Big Air and Long Time Aloft - Cabrinha Crossbow

Wave - Surfing & Wave Riding - Nomad kites and Drifter Kites

Race- Focused on Speed & Upwind Ability - Cabrinha Crossbow

Light Wind - Optimized for riding in under 13mph - Cabrinha Crossbow

Freeride Kiteboarders - All Around Kiteboarding with no extreme focus on a specific style. This is the largest group of kiteboarders. Freeride kiteboarders enjoy soul riding with simple maneuvers, moderate jumps, & carving nice turns. If you don't know your kiteboarding style, you are probably a Freeride Kiteboarder.

Freeride Kites would be the Cabrinha Crossbow and Convert kiteboarding kites


Crossbow - Massive wind ranges!

Convert IDS kiteboarding kites are the most affordable and stable kite. The easiest kite to water relaunch and the most user friendly. This is the best choice for the recreational kiter that doesn't get out often and wants to ensure the best experience when they do get out kiteboarding without specializing in any certain type of kiteboarding/riding.

Wakestyle Kiteboarders - Aggressive style of kiteboarding with an emphasis on unhooked tricks and powered pop tricks. The term wakestyle comes from the wakeboard type style of high powered tricks at lower altitudes that combine board "pop" and a kite that will set deeper in the wind window(more downwind) for constant power.

Switchblade IDS kiteboarding kites offer more performance than the Convert and are more superior than the Convert for jumping. Although, not a good as the Crossbow for jumping, the Switchblade is more stable than the Crossbow and provides a more consistant delivery of power. I recommend the Switcbhlade kite for most kiteboarders, it is the fastest turning kite and the best for wakestyle riding. It is the best compromise between the Convert and the Crossbow kite offering a bit of both kites into this one kite!

Switchblade Specs - Allround performance!

Freestyle Kiteboarders - Freestyle - Aggressive style of kiteboarding with an emphasis on big air maneuvers with long hang time. Examples would be big lofty kite jumps, spins and flips, board off tricks, and kite loop tricks.

The Freestyle kite of choice by Cabrinha would be the Cabrinha Crossbow kiteboarding kite or the Nomad kiteboarding kite.

Wave Kites - Focus is on surfing and wave riding. The wave kite is the Nomad kiteboarding kite.