cabrinha contra 17m feedback please

Hey there is a massive thread on the kite forum on this kite. it seems to get great reviews. Good luck.

Only riden the 15m in 8knts. Was really impressed with the power. Turning is slow like all big kites.

I was on a surfboard.

Not a bad kite, Seen a guy trading waves in info with the 15m. He was just parking the kite and smashing away. Seemed to have good power.

Surf FX, Cocquinio

Hey Mate, try sending the rep a pm to see if he can hook u up with a demo

www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Profile/Details.aspx?member=CABRINHAKITES

We could possibly send our 15m Contra demo up to Kitepower Qld? send me a pm if that would work.

Cheers,

KP Sydney

Hi, I've been reading and enjoying this forum for years. I though I would give you my thoughts on the 2014 17m Cabrinha Contra.

Rider: Weight,Level 84 kgs, Kiting since 2000
Style: Freeriding, Surf,
Wind: 8-15 knots water, 10 knots snow
Board: 2014 Nobie XTR 140-46,Airush Apex. Snow Burton, 165cm
Build Quality: 9/10
Disclosure: Work at a shop, this year using Airush Lithium Zero,Lithium and Varial X Nobile XTR NHP and Airush Cypher 5'8

I have a good amount of time on the Contra 17m in Cuba earlier in January. The 1XL bar is typical Cabrinha, very good quality with a new single line safety(no IDS) and an adjustable bar end that moves the bar 8cm. At Surf Expo this year, Damien LeRoy said it perfectly, Its not something that you need but once you have it its pretty cool. It works easily and has a noticeable effect on the turning speed. One issue with the bar that has been reported by some of our customers is the single line safety tends to tangle near the bar making re attaching the system difficult in the water. The single line is attached to the other line with small little loops leading up the line. This must create the possible issue. I did not test the release. Nice comfortable grip and the lines are stiff. The front lines did settle in and needed adjustment after a couple hours.
The kite IMO has a very good build quality and is light, much lighter than their previous Crossbow 18LW. The inflation valve makes you hating 9mm after you have pumped it up. Its effortless. Good scuff protection and looks very nice in the sky colour wise.
From me, it worked very well starting in about 8-10knots with the Nobile XTR 140-46. The turning speed is moderate, with your hands to the outside of the bar you can of course generate a faster turn.Very good grunt and excellent power when the kite is climbing. Solid upwind performance. Another session in a better 10-15 knot wind on the Airush Apex 138-42 revealed a great wind range. I was impressed about the handling when the kite was at its upper end. Nice floaty jumps and no issues redirecting the kite. Loops where ok, the bar needs to be pushed out progressively to prevent the kite from stalling in the loop. The Contra like most light wind kites really liked board speed. Other kites I noticed on one of the lighter days were Naish Fly, Blade Fat Lady, Flysurfers and an Airush Zero.
The other day we had a snow kite test involving the Cabrinha Contra, Ocean Rodeo Flite and the Airush Zero. The wind was around 10 knots. Now, on the ice/snow 10knots is a substantial amount for a 17m kite. We we very powered up! The Contra offered no surprises from the water. Relaunch on the snow was no problem.Performance wise everything was the same as the water.
Known issues. We have had several Cabrinha kites that have blown a bladder at the tip when inflated for the first time. One was a Contra 15m that I sold last week. Another was a slight colour run an a Contra that was wet. Cabrinha is aware of the issues.
So, I would have no issues riding the Contra. It ticks most of the boxes i look for, grunt, relaunch and range. There are faster turning big kites and one that I've tried with more grunt but the Cabrinha Contra is an excellent choice.
Thanks for reading my post and keep up the great info thats on this forum.