I was fortunate to attend and shoot the annual dealer meeting and 2015 product presentation of Pryde Group Americas (PGA). It was held at Old Bahama Bay, a resort at the extreme northwest tip of Grand Bahama Island. Not only did we have a remarkable amount of gear to try, we even had some nice wind to use it in.
PGA presented products from the following brands are at the event:
There is a new day dawning to get into some hot new riding gear.
The venue for this great meeting, West End, GBI way in the upper left of this chart.
A classic water color of Grand Bahama Island by Wm. Johnson, JR.
This post follows two life style posts that explore the event, the island and a bit of the history of the area. These interesting threads can be found at:
2015 Water Gear, Wind & Great Times In An Island Paradise - Part I and 2015 Water Gear, Wind & Great Times In An Island Paradise - Part II
This post is devoted to exploring the 2015 kiteboarding gear offered by Cabrinha. There was an in depth product presentation provided by Pete Cabrinha himself with interjections from other key team members including Michael Raper out of Hong Kong, the International Division Manager at Cabrinha. We even heard from the design team via video. You will have a chance to view those comments in this article.
An overhead view of all the people who attended the dealer meeting and made it such a great success.
"Providing progressive kiteboading solutions for all areas of our unique sport is the driving force behind our 2015 program. Here is a little taste of what's to come in 2015. Filmed and produced in the Hawaiian Islands, the birth place of Cabrinha kites." The second film is here to help build the stoke, mood. As incredible as West End is in so many ways, this time of year there are typically few waves. Cabrinha has graciously served some up from Hawaii. Enjoy, then more from the sunny, flat over white sand blue water paradise of GBI.
So, let's start with an overview of the Cabrinha kites for 2015.
All the kites for 2015 shown here ripping offshore in Maui.
They have six kites for the model year as shown above. Some model names like the Switchblade have been out previously while others like the Radar are brand new this year. Cabrinha covers the spectrum of riding styles with these kites, each with both general and specific ranges of applicability.
The kites vary in the degree to which they are swept back, with the Velocity BOW kite on the left having the most, with a lessening gradation through the Hybrid kites, Radar through Drifter, ending with the least in the Chaos C-shape. Properties are described above for the various shapes.
A comparison of various kite attributes.
Let's look at the Radar, new for 2015.Jump to Cabrinha website: http://www.cabrinhakites.com/kite/radar.html
The Radar is an easy going, all around free style kite with remarkable ease of water relaunching.
An overview of and designer notes for the Radar kite
A Cabrinha promotional image from Maui of a formation of Radar's in action.
Paula and Conchy point out the abundant attractions of Old Bahama Bay and all the great gear ripping around.
Let's examine the control bar systems for 2015, things have become even simpler and faster!
Link to control bars on Cabrinha website at http://www.cabrinhakites.com/controlsys ... rview.html
The QuickLoop Bar with adjustable length on the fly
Cabrinha has rolled out for this year what may be the easiest and fastest quick release rearming system (with one hand), the QuickLoop quick release system.
Pete Cabrinha from the beach in the Bahamas, will show just how quick and easy the system works. Also, an overview of the Cabrinha Overdrive control bar from Kittyhawk Kites.
Cabrinha has also brought a good short leash to market. Guess how many riders actually ride unhooked? I understand it is about 20%. So the rest kiting with a suicide leash configuration aren't do themselves any favors whatsoever. It tangles more easily, gets in the way and if you use it, you might go for a ride, backwards!? Things just got better for that 80 % of riders out there. A short, functional leash that stays out of the way, in front of you.
Michael Raper shows off the system including the leash during the product presentation in the Bahamas.
The Race Quick Link bar developed for use with the Velocity kite. I understand the bar will work with all the 2015 Cabrinha kites however.
Jan Lucas Gianello walks out with the Quick Link.
Wait until you get to try some of this great new gear on the water, fun times!
Stay tuned, more to come on the 2015 Cabrinha Kiteboarding gear lineup in the next installment.
FKA, Inc.
transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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