Dane’s Review: The Cabrinha Omega in 1:1
The 2007 Cabrinha Omega handles completely differently when rigged in the 1:1 configuration. While it lacks the forgiveness and range of depower found in the 2:1 setup, it offers greatly reduced bar pressure, incredibly responsive handling, improved downwind and carving power, and better jumping performance.
Reduced Bar Pressure
Bar pressure from the Omega is greatly reduced when the kite is rigged in the 1:1 setup, resulting in an incredible feel and nearly effortless riding. It takes very little work on your part to hold onto the bar and keep the kite powered up, and the kite stays flown even when you eat it huge and completely lose your grip.
The reduced bar pressure means that there’s less feedback from the kite to let you know where it’s at in the window, with is great for advanced riders who want a kite that flies with little input and with more constant power. However, beginners would certainly have a difficult time with it.
The best part is that while coming in after a session, you too can be one of those cool people who flies his/her kite with no hands on the bar, similar to driving your car with your hands behind your head and a knee on the steering wheel.
Snappy Responsiveness
When rigged in the 1:1 configuration, the Omega is incredible reactive. All the mushiness associated with the 2:1 setup disappears, and is replaced by snappy, snappy, snappy response. Subtle movements in the bar can cause some pretty large responses in the kite, so this configuration is certainly not recommended for beginners.
I found that while I was recovering my board after taking a spill, it took a bit more concentration on my part to keep the kite under control. While I have the skills and experience necessary for working with a responsive kite, I can see how this setup would be dangerous and frustrating in the hands of a beginner.
Increased Downwind Power
When rigged in the 2:1 setup, the Omega dumps a ton of power when you move downwind. This is excellent for beginners as it prevents them from getting yarded into rocks or bridges or other kiters, but is far from ideal for advanced riders who need the kite to stay powered through carves and while riding toeside. The Omega stays wonderfully powered up while riding downwind in the 1:1 setup, making it a great kite for nailing carves, and slashing toeside to heelside through flatwater and swell.
Improved Jumping Performance
It’s nearly impossible to pull the trigger and boost on the Omega when it’s rigged in the 2:1 configuration. This is a safety consideration above all else, as the 2:1 controls are intentionally mushy to avoid the twitchy handling, inadvertent airs and yarding frequently associated with learning to kiteboard. Fortunately, since the Omega is so fast and reactive when rigged in the 1:1 configuration, it is suddenly perfect for lofting airs.
Reduced Depower Range
The 1:1 configuration greatly reduces the Omega’s depower, which comes as a huge shock after enjoying the wide range of depower allowed by the 2:1 setup. On one particular 1:1 session I was lit up on my 7 meter Omega with the kite completely depowered at the trim strap, and even with the bar pushed out as far as possible I was still overpowered.
To shrug off the extra power I had to edge hard upwind and bring the kite to the edge of the window, and since I was on an unfamiliar kiteboard my board control was considerably weaker than usual. By the end of the session I was wearing my harness up under my armpits.
I certainly wasn’t surprised that the Omega had less depower range in 1:1 than in 2:1, but I didn’t anticipate that its depower range would be that drastically limited. The unofficial 1:1 modification offers a greater range of depower than the standard 1:1 setup, and thus I currently use that modification on all my Omegas.
Bottom Line
- Greatly reduced depower range
- Greatly reduced bar pressure
- Reduced feedback from kite
- A much more snappy and reactive kite
- Reduced forgiveness for unintentional bar movements
- Increased power for carving, slashing, heading downwind and riding toeside
- Improved trigger performance for boosting
Don’t Miss: Dane’s original review of the Cabrinha Omega
