First kite

[Lorenzo2397]

Hi everyone. I taked lessons when i was on vacations and now im back home looking to buy a kite.
My budget is pretty tight for now so im looking for a used one, i cant afford a new one.
I been offered a cabrinha switchblade 2012. And a cabrinha chaos 2014. Are this good kites to start??? Which you guys think is better??

[Rob112]

Out of those for sure the Switchblade. The Chaos is a ckite for advanced freestyle riders.

Look for freeride kites, Duotone (North) Evo, Cabrinha Switchblade, Naish Pivot, Airush Lithium, F-One Bandit etc. The newer the better (condition depending) and preferably with a bar that has a single line flag out (not until 2018 if buying F-One). I'm not sure what years other brands brought that in, but others on here will.

I assume the 2012 Switchblade comes with a 2012 Cabrinha bar?

[knotwindy]

Any 2012 kite should be really really cheap and be prepared to have to do some repairs, valves, etc.
But if it is in good shape(have someone else check if you can’t tell) and the price is low enough, sure. Switchblades were good enough to learn and progress on.

[Mike101]

Note the chaos will be a lot more difficult to relaunch. Spend a season on a 2012 kite. Buy one with a tear as you will smash it anyway. Holds air 100%, single front line flag out, freeride kite is what you need. Once you have your 20 to 30 hours of beginner kite crashing look at something newer. Freeride all the way. Freestyle and wake style are not your thin yet and may never be. The C kites offer advantages you dont need right now and disadvantages that will significantly hold you back.

[danlar]

I took lesson 2 years ago and I started by buying my instructor old kite. Best move ever, the time I know more about kite type and know what I like. Now I buy new kite and I am happy with my purchase.

[Lorenzo2397]

thanks everyone !!.. going with the switchblade thenn

[Daversj]

I would avoid using a 2012 bar however. To old and Safety systems are out of date. Also, if an old line breaks at the wrong time it could be very dangerous especially for a beginner.

You can pick up a new close out Cabrinha bar for $350 right now.

2012 Switchblade was a decent kite with lots of grunt and jumped well. Just try not to tomahawk it into the water to much because the fabric probably wont take it.

[Alysum]

Wow I certainly wouldn't get an 8year old kite as my first kite.... Try for 5years max please.

[danlar]

Wow I certainly wouldn't get an 8year old kite as my first kite.... Try for 5years max please.

You are right, 2012 is very old. As I mention up there, I was buying my instructor old kite to start but they were not that old. Canopy don’t last that long. There must be other kite available out there. Take care.

[rleshem]

Agreed. Get 2015 or newer.