2019 Drifter Review

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Last year, the Drifter became one of our most popular kites. Not only for kiteboarders who love to ride the waves but for advanced riders looking for a more reactive kite. 

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The Drifter came on the scene a few years back and didn’t change to much over the years. In 2018 we saw noticeable improvements and in 2019 the kite remains unchanged from 2018.This year we’ll be giving an in depth review behind this popular wave kite.The Drifter is a dedicated wave kite that somehow caught the attention of intermediate riders. Kiteboarders looking mix up their quiver with a more reactive kite. Something that stands apart from the standard all around freeride kites.

In the video, I mentioned we'll be doing a Drifter Vs the Moto Video soon. Stay tuned and we'll get these two kites on the water back to back. In the waves, on the foil and every other application. 

 

MACkite Team Rider Marc Hoesema sending it on his Drifter 

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Windrage

The Drifter flies for the most part in the same wind range as most average all around kites.Yet it does lack the low end grunt many of them offer.The reason for this is when you’re surfing, you don’t want a powerful kite to pull you off the waves. I’ve mentioned this before in other videos.

All around freeride kites work great in the waves but unless you size down, from time to time, they can pull you right off the wave. While it doesn't quite have the low end grunt, the Drifter is fun to fly on the high end of it’s wind range. This is what has caught the attention of non wave riders looking for something different.

Jumping

The Drifter is not Cabrinha's best kite for jumping. At least concerning big air and loftiness. This again is in part to the design. You don’t want a powerful kite while you’re on a wave. Intermediate riders have gravitated towards the drifter in spite of this. Simply because it’s not that far behind when it comes to jumping.

It is a very fun kite to fly that lends to unique stylish experience on the water. One note of interest is when you fly this kite on the onshore settings. It tends to have a forward drift in the air. When you jump you'll end up further down wind than normal. While we’ve found the off shore settings gives it a bit more height and less drift.

If you’re an experienced rider, the Drifter is an excellent choice. If you’re newer, it’s just not going to have the same power you’d expect from an all around kite. It will take a little more time to grow into the kite. This is not a deal breaker by any means. Just something to consider if this is your first kite.

Feel

The Drifter is characterised by smooth and instant power or de power. Kind of like a light switch, its pretty on or off. Another benefit for wave riders is the ability to take power out of the kite as soon as they get on a wave.

Another feature that will impact the kite is you’re settings. The Drifter has an onshore and offshore setting depending on the wind you go out in. In the waves, you’ll want to adjust these according to conditions. If you’re freeriding, do some experimentation. Our team riders often prefer the offshore setting when not riding the waves for a more powerful experience. This is what sets the Drifter apart from kites like the Moto. While the Moto was designed with waves in mind. Nothing is going to beat the drifter in cross onshore and on shore surf conditions. The Drifter will fly controlled with slacked lines.

Kite loops

When it comes to kiteloops, The Drifter is perfect for smooth transitions and has a pretty effortless looping ability. The quick turning speed lends itself to this attribute. It's important to be able to position the kite correctly. Fast easy loops are not only important for positioning the kite but getting to the proper section of a wave. The Drifter is going to work we'll when conditions are great like Maui but most of us don't have that luxury. When riding choppy, ugly or mushy wind waves, being able to make fast adjustments in the kite are critical. Looping becomes a necessity in some instances. Off the waves, this trait has brought in advanced riders in droves.  

No other kite can take on cross onshore winds like the Drifter

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Surf & Foilboarding

It goes without saying this is the premier Surf kite in Cabrinhas line up. It’s certainly one of our top choices. Pretty much every point we covered so far explains the benefits in the surf. So what about foilboarding? This is hands down our favorite kite for foilboarding. The reason being is it’s drift-ability. When riding downwind on a foil the control from this kite is unmatched. Aside from that, it's a light fast and responsive kite that will keep up with you on foil. 

The lighter feel, the soft kite loops, the fast turning speed and the exceptional Drift Ability has really caught the attention of not only our crew but foilboarders in general. 

In summary

The Drifter is an exceptional kite. While it’s not the most powerful kite, or the loftiest kite in the lineup. It’s unique features have allowed this dedicated wave kite to really shine as a fun alternative for riders who want to mix up their air style, shred some waves or progress in foilboarding.