Cabrinha AV8 Review / First Impressions

[Toby]

Freeriders, foilers, jumping junkies, take note....

Newly released from Cabrinha for the 2020 season is the new Freeride kite, the AV8. It is designed for maximum power and efficiency in user friendly kiteboarding kite. Taking lessons learned from Cabrinha's previous powerhouse kites such as the Contra, Crossbow, Velocity, and Apollo, the AV8 kitesurf kite is a two decade long pursuit of easy to use power combined with cutting edge hydrofoiling concepts.

With a 5 strut, durable construction the AV8 is not only meant for light winds but also the punishment of highly powered riding. Although, it uses it's cloth so effectively, it still hangs in the sky with the lightest kites on the market. If you are looking for the largest wind range, insane lofty jumps, and maximum ease upwind, this could be your next love.

[SolarSet]

Velocity is back, does AV stands for Another Velocity?

[Sun]

Velocity is back, does AV stands for Another Velocity?

Yeah, it does look A LOT like the Velocity. Panel layout is identical (No “Pure Profile” paneling like every other new Cab kite), bridle looks very similar including the Y at the wingtips. TE shape looks about the same too.

First person to put a AV8 on top of a Velocity will probably find them hard to distinguish, other than via the new canopy material and colors.

[mbs]

I still am regularly using a velocity. But I often have to self launch, and velocity's long bridle at the wing tips can easily foul up when drift launching. Ive always wished the velocity had a slightly shorter Y at the wingtip bridles to prevent the wingtip from going through the bridle when drift launching. Has AV8 corrected that problem?