Category Archives: Kites

2013 Naish Ride, 2nd Edition

The Ride caught us all by surprise here at Big Winds last summer. We all expected a 2 strut kite to be unstable in our gusty Gorge winds. We have now had the opportunity to fly the Ride in all conditions from 6m nuking winds to 12m light days on the Coast and stability has never been an issue.

TJ takes the Naish Ride for a ride.

TJ takes the Naish Ride for a ride.


The Ride 2nd Edition comes to us now with an even more simple bridle, with guides and no pulleys. I had the opportunity to fly the 9m here off the the Event Site in Hood River in rather stormy conditions: average winds of around 20 mph, gusting to 27, lulls to 12 mph. I was immediately attracted to the sheet-in and go feel of the kite. It accelerates upwind efficiently, which is a key characteristic for a good entry level kite. It drifts well downwind, something we are all attracted to for wave riding.

The Ride is able to punch out the gusts effectively, and certainly maintains its position in the lulls. All in all, it is a kite that can handle pretty much anything thrown at it.

If entering the sport as a newbie, you’re in luck! The kites are getting easier to use, more durable, and simpler. Simplification also means less money at the register. The 9m Ride retails for only $1050! Give us a call about ordering yours today at 1-888-509-4210.

2013 Cabrinha Switchblade Review

Location:  Harbour Island, Bahamas
Wind:  25-35mph (NE)
Board:  2013 Cabrinha X-Caliber 136cm

I recently had the opportunity to do some kiteboarding off of Harbour Island, in the Bahamas. The 9m Switchblade became my go-to kite as a tropical storm blew through for a few days.  I’ve been always setting up the bridles on the steering lines on the second knot up.  But, after reviewing the Cabrinha Kite Tuning Tech Tip, I thought the 3rd knot up sounded more like the traditional feel of the Switchblade.  You can review this Tech Tip HERE:

As I had imagined, the tighter rear lines on the steering bridle made for a bit more responsiveness and heavier bar pressure.  3rd knot for big boosts too!  If unhooking, the 2nd knot might be best suited for ultimate predictability and perfect balance, but for the traditional “bow-kite” feel, bump up to the 3rd knot.

I really liked how much faster the new 2013 Switchblade turns, which had always been the limiting factor on the design in the years past.  For ultimate versatility, range, and user friendliness look no further then the 2013 Cabrinha Switchblade!

2013 cabrinha switchblade

2013 Cabrinha Switchblade Initial Test

Here in the Gorge, we are fortunate enough to see and test the newest gear to hit the market. The 2013 Switchblade has been highly anticipated due to the improvements in turning speed and bar pressure. Pumping the 2013 Cabrinha kites is a cinch with the new Airlock allowing for a higher volume of air to pass through the one way valve. It doesn’t require an adapter either, and attaches directly onto the valve. The ultra durable dacron frame is noticeably stiff and ridged right out of the bag, helping lock in the kite’s intended shape.

The 2013 Switchblade has a bit of a wider looking wingtip, which probably helps in the faster turning speed (quite noticeable in the bigger sizes). This probably adds to the improved relaunch too! Once in flight, I noticed how much lighter the bar pressure was from the previous models. Out of the bag, the Switchblade is set on the “lighter steering impulse” setting. If you want heavier pressure in the bar, there is a slight adjustment on the trailing edge bridle (shift the bridle from A to B).

One more huge improvement is on the 2013 Quicklink Control System. First off, the quick-release has been improved for reconnecting on the water. To reconnect, you push the quick-release up until it catches on the hook (new for 2013). The new flying lines are thick, like cables! They have an improved finish reducing stretch over time, and making running out the lines easier.

The 2013 Switchblade works in a wide range of conditions, making it a very versatile kite. We have had a chance now to fly the new 5m (28-38 mph), the 7m, 8m, and 9m.

New for the ladies this year is the Switchblade offered in the Siren collection (sizes 6/8/10/12). The Siren colorway was inspired by the ever talented Suzi Mai. The Siren Quicklink Bar has a longer, easy to reach trim adjuster, and smaller harness loop. This makes reaching maximum depower much easier for the ladies!

2012 Naish Fly

Date:  Friday June 15th
Location:  Hood River Sandbar
Kite:  Naish Fly
Bar:  Universal w/ 24m lines
Board:  Naish Alaia
Wind:  West,  4-10 mph (average 8 mph)

Naish just released the new light-wind specific Fly kite and I just had a chance to ride it on an unusual, sub 10 knot day here in Hood River.  This kite doesn’t have a designated size, but it looks like a 15m in the sky.  Big wingtips gives it a Park like appearance from the side, but looking at the main canopy, it adopts its shape from the new, two-strut Ride kite.  My first impression was how well it turns, quick for a light wind kite.  This turning speed really helps maintain a consistent pull, and on the Alaia board, not much is needed.

No white caps in sight, and planing across the pond….big smiles!  I looked over my shoulder to see no one but SUP paddlers!  My only concerns with big kites are back flying (stalling in lulls) and light wind relaunch.  Well, I’m not to concerned any more with the Fly.  I couldn’t get the kite to stall, even with an extra tug on the outside lines.  It  relaunched easily with just a single pull on an outside line.  This kite packs down so small, you can fit it into a 12m Park bag.  Indeed a kiteboarder’s vacation saver, without destroying the wallet!
Feel free to call toll free for more information….Available, NOW! at Big Winds.  1-888-509-4210

 

2012 Naish Ride

Date:  4/12/12

Location:  Event Site, Hood River

Time:  1-2pm

Wind:  9-22mph

Today I had the chance to test the new Naish 10m Ride. It’s a two strut kite that comes in even sizes, 4m through 12m. This kite is geared for the beginner to intermediate free-ride kiter.

I tested the kite on the new Ride 4-line bar, which is a simplified Universal (no swivel/pully above the trim line), on 24m lines.

The center of the kite’s canopy is wide open, with a single batten adding a little structure.  The 10m Ride pumps up in no time, and once rigged and ready, self launches like a champ.

What makes a good beginner kite?  These three things:  1. Easy water relaunch.  2. Nice upwind ability.  3. Plenty of depower when flown through the power zone.

All of these factors are covered in a nice simple package.  I could swing the kite right downwind in front of me, let the bar out, and feel little to no pull.  The kite keeps a solid structure, amazingly, as one might think it to be lacking stability while lacking a center strut, but not once did I feel or sense anything structurally instable in this kite.

I would recommend the new Naish Ride to anyone looking for a simple, cost effective, entry level kite.

2012 North Fuse

Both TJ and Suds have taken the 2012 North Fuse for a workout. TJ went first:

Date:  4/3/12
Time:  1:30-2:30
Location:  Hood River Event Site
Wind Speed:  18-29 mph (average 22 mph)
Kite:  2012 North Fuse 7m (Quad Bar, 24m)
Board:  2012 North Whip 5’6

We have 2012 Fuses in stock, and I finally had a chance to put one to the test.  The wind was strong, gusty, and stormy, so the test was pretty short-lived, with more to come soon…

After unpacking the 7m Fuse, I pumped it up and overlapped it with an 8m Rebel.  Looking for any differences outside of the bridling vs. 5-line direct connect, I was unable to find any.  All angles and dimensions seem similar if not identical.

The Fuse utilizes the AC Bridle which is nice and compact, and has adaptive tip technology on the wing-tip (for soft or hard bar pressure).

I chose to take the setting for the rear pig-tail from the “soft” stock setting, and bumped it down to the “hard” setting.  Self launching was effortless, the kite came right off the beach with a slight tug on the outside line.  I like to take a broad reach to test the upwind and downwind performance on kites right off the bat.

The Fuse definitely shines on the upwind reach, and might have a slight upwind performance edge on the Rebel (slight.).  Like the Rebel, the Fuse also has the straight segment in the leading edge making it steer even when trimed at various levels of depower.  This is nice when the lines go temporarily slack, especially when chasing the kite down the line in swell or waves.

After getting used to the feel for the kite, it’s time to boost.  Hang, hang, hang…time!  Nice soft landings too!

This kite looks and acts like a wing on strings!  There is absolutely zero deformation or flutter in this wing, as close to a 4-line Rebel as North has designed.  Now in generation 3, the Fuse is setting the benchmark for 4-line kite performance.

–TJ

Then Mat “Suds” Luchsinger got ahold of it:

Date: April 7th, 2012
Location: “The Ponds” Ft. Stevens, OR.
Kite: 2012 North Fuse 9m
Bar: 2012 North Quad w/ 24m lines
Wind: 20-25mph (steady!)

I got to demo the 2012 9m North Fuse this past week-end. The kite can be flown as a 4 or 5 line kite. This is a kite I’ve been wanting to try out for quite some time now. Best part is I got to try it out the Oregon Coast. East winds picked up on Saturday, so I headed out to “The Ponds” at Fort Stevens for a little fun. Couldn’t ask for much better conditions: I had decent swell on the outside and butter flat water on the inside with steady eddy wind averaging 20 to 25mph

Right out of the bag I loved the colors, bright and vivid. One thing I noticed was North kept the battens on the trailing edge of the kite (like the ’12 Rebel) which I liked seeing because I knew that this was going to be a rock sold kite in the air. Never at any point was there any flutter in this kite. I can also say if your looking for a kite that has some power the Fuse is for you. To me this 9 rides more like a 10. It’s a powerful kite, but yet it has a ton of range and depower. As soon as I put the kite in the air I had to pull that depower strap in a few inches.

I could see this kite being a dream in the waves as well because of how smooth and fast you could whip it through the turns, due to it being a direct connect on the rear lines. As for jumping this kite takes you too the moon and sets you down like a feather. I also liked how it looped on a dime with out pulling your arms off, making you feel safe and in control the whole time.

All in all, if you’re a beginner getting into the sport or an advanced rider that wants to tear apart some swell or jump to the moon this kite is for you!

Available at Big Winds.

2012 Cabrinha: Switchblade vs. Drifter

One of the most common questions I’ve been hearing from Cabrinha kiters is which kite should I choose for 2012, the new Drifter, or the flagship Switchblade?

I have had the fortunate opportunity to fly both of these kites, in almost all sizes, and have some answers to these questions. The new Drifter is a simple, lightweight, 3-strut design which is being marketed as the ultimate surf kite. If you are riding primarily a directional board, there is no doubt in my mind you will be impressed with the Drifter’s slack line drift ability. This is the kite’s ability to stay aloft even when the lines go slack from either depowering, or chasing the kite with speed down the line in both surf and swell. There are some advantages to a simple 3-strut design when talking about turning speed too. The Drifter will not disappoint the kiter who likes to pilot the kite aggressively, and certainly won’t disappoint the kite looper! Available in sizes 5.5m through 11m, the Drifter comes highly recommended by the Big Winds staff. Come demo one from us this summer, and see for yourself what the hype is all about.

Now let’s talk about the Switchblade, our number one selling Cabrinha kite over the past couple of years here at Big Winds. The Switchblade has passed the test of time, with the 2012 still shining as a wakestyle / free-ride kite. Up on the leading edge bridle, Cabrinha has added the option for tuning the kite between these two disciplines. The wakestyle setting really allows the kite to sit back a bit in the window for better unhooked performance, whereas the free-ride setting offers the ultimate depower and range. The Switchblade’s bow shape has a reliable and predictable feel to it either when riding in gusty conditions or jumping (and boy does it jump!). The 5-strut canopy not only offers wonderful lift when jumping, but also sets you down softly. We have found the smaller sizes to offer tremendous range in the gusty conditions, and the bigger kites to have a very satisfactory low-end to it. If you haven’t flown a Switchblade, come demo one from us here at Big Winds this summer!

Available at Big Winds: Drifter | Switchblade

–TJ

2012 Cabrinha Crossbow

Date:  2/18/12
Location:  Camas Valley, Idaho
Wind:  SW 15-25mph
Kite:  2012 Cabrinha Crossbow 11m

Photo by Gorge-Us Photography

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to head to Fairfield, Idaho to do some snowkiting.  Saturday morning, we woke up to a snowstorm/white-out.  After the storm passed, the blue skies began to open up, and the wind became a steady 20 mph, with little lulls, and very few gusts.  The Cabrinha Crossbow has always struck me as a solid kite, with it’s 7-strut configuration, and rock-solid stability.  This became the perfect arena to put it to the test.  We were stationed at the snowmobile park, just west of Fairfield, with a kicker built 100 yards from where our RV was parked.  I felt the Crossbow was super floaty off of the kicker, with landings being very smooth. (Well, most of the time!)  After launching off of the kicker, I sensed it was appropriate to see how the kite flew up-hill.  There is a little knoll just past the kicker, and I managed to climb up it effortlessly, and send the kite off the top.  The Crossbow is great for long, soaring jumps, as I landed well past where I thought I might.  From the last time I flew the Cabrinha Crossbow, I remembered how fun a kite it was for exploring on the water.  With rolling hills in the distance, I decided to leave the flats an see how well I could explore the mountains.  Ducking power-lines, and jumping low barbed wire fences, I followed a snowmobile track a few miles to the nearest hills.  This is where I found skis to be a big advantage over my snowboarding experiences of the past (the ability to have my legs independent for avoiding rock obstacles was a huge plus).  The Crossbow allowed me to climb the mountain to the very top, for a breathtaking view of the Rockies in the distance (something only snowmobilers and snowkiters can really access with ease).  After a few inches of fresh snow that morning, I found the windblown stashes of powder all to myself on the downhill turns, with the Crossbow perfectly gliding alongside.  I felt a sense of comfort from every angle because of the kite.  Not only did it reliably stay put in the sky, but it reverse relaunched every time I put it down on the snow (pulling both outside lines when the kite was on it’s leading edge directly downwind of me).  This kite proved itself on the snow (and in the air), and for climbing and descending mountains!  A SOLID choice for land and water.

2012 North Evo

Date: 2-15-2012
Location: Hood River Event Site
Wind: 14-26mph (average: 19.5mph)
Kite: 2012 North Evo 9m
Board: North Pacific Stealth 5’6

Today was a great day to test the new 2012 North Evo 9m here in the Gorge. Flown with the Quad Bar on 24m lines, the Evo really is everything North Kite describes: Powerful, stable and smooth.

The moment the kite went up into the sky I could feel how reactive it was, with a quick and predictable turning speed. The Adaptive Tips were set at the stock “Light Sheeting Force Setting” which may be an attributing factor for the faster turning impulse, and tighter turning. This “B” setting was by no means too light. As a matter of fact, there was a better feedback to steering impulse than most 4-line brindled kites I’ve flown.


After a few tacks to get the feel for the kite, the wind starting picking up so I decided to send it to see how it jumps. Wow, feels like a C-kite’s smooth up and down with a little forward flight. It definitely doesn’t lack in the air time category (I can only imagine if the Adaptive Tips were set at the “A” setting for even higher altitude!). After a few jumps it was time to loop it. With the Evo’s low aspect center and new square wing-tips, there is a lot of canopy to grab the wind and provide powerful, yet smooth kite loops! Again, feels kind of like a C-kite in this respect…I just wanted to loop this kite.
The one thing that was clear to me was how much low-end grunt it has. The Evo kept me plenty powered up through the holes. The high end of the Evo was a bit punchy, and I definitely found myself pushing farther forward on the line to achieve maximum depower (as compared to the 5-line Rebel).

All in all, I would put the Evo in the category of all-terrain versatility. If you are after a kite that performs well with a directional board, or twin-tip under your feet, the Evo is a good choice for both wave riding, and flat water freestyle.

Available at Big Winds.