2012 Cabrinha Nomad Kite Review

2012 Cabrinha Nomad Kite Review

2012 Cabrinha Nomad Kite Reviewby Jeff DeVries

I have to admit that I didn't pay much attention to the Cabrinha Nomad over the years...until recently anyway. It's marketed as a freestyle/wakestyle/surf kite...but I consider myself more of a "freerider". I enjoy riding in a wide variety of conditions...but I tend to gravitate toward kites that are smooth, fast, soak up gusty conditions, rip aggressively up-wind, and have lofty/floaty jumps. I found myself gravitating more toward the flight characteristics of the Cabrinha Switchblade, Cabrinha Crossbow, North Rebel and even the Best Kahoona. Although I liked the idea of a quicker turning kite, I didn't feel it would be worth what it sacrificed in upwind performance or jumping.

Then my 12 year old son was ready to transition from a trainer kite to an inflatable. I needed a small demo kite for the afternoon and the only one available was a Cabrinha Nomad 5.5m. I was a little hesitant because the Nomads are supposed to be more of a high-performance kite with quicker turn speed and more aggressive power. I was amazed at how much I liked Nomad...and how easy it was for my son to fly! Since then, I've spent significantly more time on the Nomads. They really are great all-around kites...regardless of your riding style or experience level. Great jumps, upwind performance, wide wind range, excellent depower, easy relaunch...what more could you ask for?

Some of my favorite sessions on the Nomad were surfing in the waves. It flies a little more out in front of you so it slack-lines/drifts good without the worry of catching up to your kite and stalling it out on a bottom turn. The quicker turning speed also helps make it a blast ripping up and down the waves! It really is a great all-around kite...and my concerns were unwarranted.

Oh yeah...it's also a great kite for snowkiting!

Check out our current selection of Cabrinha kites.