2026 Cabrinha Mantis Apex Wing Explained | Brendan Healy on Design and Features

Aaron: Hey guys, I'm Aaron at MACkite. Welcome to the show this morning! We've got Brendan Healey from Cabrinha here, and we're stoked to talk about the new 2026 Cabrinha Mantis Apex wing. Brendan, let's start with a quick intro.

Who Is Brendan Healy? A Quick Intro

Brendan: Killer. Yeah, I'm the sales manager for Cabrinha down here in Miami, been with the brand for about eight years. It's a small, tight-knit crew, so even though I'm in sales, we all do a little bit of everything. Everyone tests the products, everyone gives feedback, from customer service all the way up to the CEO. It's super flat and inclusive, and that's what makes it fun.

Aaron: And it shows, man. Some brands feel really corporate, but you guys keep it open and connected. Nobody's too far removed from the customer on the beach. And honestly, you guys are crazy responsive-I can shoot you an email and boom, you're back to me right away. That vibe definitely comes through in the gear.

Brendan: Appreciate that, man. Yeah, we just want to be the friendly people you can talk to-on the beach, in the office, wherever. We're doing this because we love it too.

How Does the Mantis Maximize Its Use of Aluula?

Aaron: And that's obvious. Alright, let's get into it: tell us about the new Mantis Apex and how you approached using Aluula compared to more traditional designs.

Brendan: For sure. We've actually been developing this one for about three years. The Mantis has been a staple since 2022, but this is our first Aluula wing. Honestly, we held back at first because of the cost. We weren't sure how the market would react to such a high-priced wing. But eventually, it became clear-you've got to have Aluula in your lineup if you want to play in that high-end space.

We tried different versions-full Aluula, just the strut, just the leading edge. What we landed on was a full Aluula strut and about a third of the leading edge. Basically, where the strut meets the leading edge and about 18 inches out on each side. The rest is traditional dacron.

That combo gives you the benefits-lighter weight, way stiffer frame-without making the wingtips too stiff. Some full Aluula wings actually lose flex in the tips, which hurts performance in light conditions. Our approach keeps that natural twist and flex where you need it. Plus, it saves the rider a couple hundred bucks with no downside.

Aaron: Yeah, I see that. Retail on the 4m is about $1679, the 4.5m is $1779, and the 5.5m is $1939. Like you said, balance is key-you've got to have Aluula in the game, but not go overboard. And yeah, Aluula is sexy, like carbon fiber-people just want it even if they'll never max out its performance.

And I love what you did with that T-section design where the strut and leading edge join. Keeps the wingtips alive, which you definitely don't want to lose. Who handled the design?

What Were the Main Concepts Behind the Apex Mantis Design?

Brendan: That was all done by Brodie Sutherland in The Gorge. He's designed every Mantis to date, and he got a ton of feedback from the whole team, including Titouan Galea. For this Apex version, we only made three sizes-4m, 4.5m, and 5.5m. Brodie tested everything from 2m to 6m, but these three stood out as the best performers.

It's a limited edition run-about 120 wings total coming to the U.S. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Aaron: Nice. From a retailer standpoint, I think that's a perfect lineup. Sure, someone might ask about a straight 5m, but man, that 4–4.5–5.5 spread is solid.

Brendan: Totally. And the 4.5m is actually my favorite. It's sneaky good-compact wingspan, tons of power. I'd encourage anyone who normally rides a 5m to try the 4.5. You'll get the same performance but in a wing that's easier to handle.

Aaron: So would you say in general that riders can size down a bit with these?

Brendan: Exactly. With the Aluula frame being so stiff, a 5.5m Apex gives you the power of a 6m without the bulk. Across the board, you can usually step down a half size and still get the juice you need.

Boom vs. Handles: Which Is Better for the Mantis?

Aaron: That's cool. Let's talk boom versus handles. What was Cabrinha's thinking there?

Brendan: Totally. It feels like the whole industry is drifting toward booms right now, and after using both setups a lot, I've got to admit-I'm into the boom too. That said, the Mantis Apex ships standard with two handles pre-installed. But we've also got the boom option, which we call the Handlebar. Super simple: two screws, swap it in, and you're good to go.

What's interesting is Brodie originally designed the Apex around handles, so the strut and canopy are built for that. But when you bolt on the boom, it basically stiffens the whole frame-like strapping a piece of rebar to it, only way lighter. You expect the boom to be about ease of use, but it actually adds a performance boost thanks to that extra rigidity.

Portability and Packability: Why Some Riders Still Prefer Soft Handles

Aaron: Yeah, and it's funny-thinking about it, I haven't even gotten my hands on the AER yet. But I love the idea of a super lightweight setup that packs down tiny. I'm kind of obsessed with compact gear-I even ditch the stock bags and stuff my kites into Dakine compression sacks. Keeps them small enough to live in the back of my car.

So when I look at something like the AER, that's where my head goes: portable, lightweight, no pinch points when rolling it up. And the handles thing-it's wild how many camps there are. Booms are hot right now, rigid handles are second, and soft handles are hanging on with diehards who love that minimal, windowless, lightweight vibe.

And honestly, it depends on the style. If you're freestyling, passing the wing mid-rotation, yeah, a boom makes sense. But I get why some riders stick with soft handles, especially for drifting swell. Our wing team was stoked on the AER-they said it just floats beautifully behind you going down the line.

You guys are juggling feedback from pros, retailers, reps, and everyday riders-it's a lot of voices to sort through, and you're trying to assess, "What the heck should the handles be?"

Brendan: [Laughs.] Yeah, exactly.

Aaron: Seems like all three setups-booms, rigid handles, and soft handles-are still viable. And yeah, I'm glad you guys offer the boom option. It feels like you kind of have to at this point. But what about that hard leading edge handle paired with the Aluula frame? That seems like a killer feature.

Why the Rigid Front Handle Is a Game-Changer

Brendan: Man, I love that handle. We rolled it out in 2023, and I'm honestly surprised no other brand has copied it yet. It gives you so much control-whether you're carving waves or just getting to your feet as a beginner. You can literally push the leading edge down into the water as a stabilizer while you stand up. It's one of those features that's both performance and user-friendly. After riding with it, I don't think I'd ever go back.

Aaron: And it doesn't add much weight. Even if it does, it's right at the balance point, so it's not messing with drift. Plus, you can manhandle the wing easier-like if it's fluttering in the wind while you're walking to the water, that handle just gives you total control.

Brendan: Exactly. And it's removable. Two screws and it's off. If you're a racer chasing every gram of aerodynamics, ditch it. Or if you're traveling and want to pack the wing as small as possible, take off all the handles and you've got a soft frame. Super versatile.

Independent Inflation Chambers: Safety and Practicality

Aaron: Dude, I love that. Those little 1–3% tweaks add up to a big difference on the water. And I think riders really notice them.

Another thing-you guys left the Sprint inflation system off the Apex. A lot of people are pumped on that (pun intended). Having independent chambers makes sense: you can run different PSI in the strut and leading edge, or just deflate one and quick-pack it in your car. And from a safety standpoint, it's huge-you've got two separate floats if you're offshore. Pretty unlikely both would go down. Smart move.

Brendan: Thanks, man. That was very feedback-driven. Retailers especially were telling us that riders want independent chambers. So we listened.

Aaron: And the Sprint can be a weak point too. Some people say they've accidentally grabbed it while handling their wing, popped it loose, and boom-your whole wing's flat in the water. That's not a fun swim in. I get why riders like the dual chamber setup better.

Speaking of design tweaks-what about those fiberglass mini battens in the trailing edge?

Why Cabrinha Added Battens to the Mantis Apex Wing

Brendan: For 2026, one of the updates we added to the Mantis Apex was battens in the trailing edge. In 2024, we didn't have any, and honestly, the wing still performed great. But when we adjusted the chord length for 2025, we found we needed them.

We started with soft battens, and people joked they looked like zip ties-but these new ones are way stiffer. They're fiberglass, with two on either side, and they really clean up the canopy. It gives the wing a glass-smooth finish and a tighter, more responsive airframe. They don't add noticeable weight, but they definitely boost performance.

Is the Mantis Apex a True All-Rounder?

Aaron: Yeah, man, I love those little 1% improvements. They add up to a big difference in ride quality. So how do you see people using the Mantis Apex? It feels like a great all-rounder: freeride, surf, freestyle, kind of does it all, right?

Brendan: Totally. For me, living in Miami, I ride waves most of the time, and the Apex really shines there. It's light, stiff, and with that hard leading edge handle, you've got a ton of control. It drifts beautifully and gives you instant power when you need it-like hitting a critical section of a wave.

Who Is the Mantis Apex For? Beginners vs. Performance Riders

Brendan: The Mantis has always been known as a powerful, direct-drive wing. So whether you're freeriding, chasing light wind, or pushing performance, it delivers. For beginners, it might feel like a lot-it's a pretty powered-up wing-but that's why we have other models like the Vision or AER. The Apex is really for riders looking to take the next step in performance.

Aaron: Makes sense. Would you call the Mantis the flagship wing in Cabrinha's lineup?

Brendan: Yeah, I would. It's like our Switchblade of wings-the benchmark model.

Limited Production Run: Only 100 Wings in the U.S.

Aaron: Perfect. And with this limited run-only about 100 units in the U.S. across 4m, 4.5m, and 5.5m sizes-you're kind of testing the waters, right?

Brendan: Exactly. We don't have another production run planned yet, but if feedback is strong, it's easy to scale up or add sizes. It's a smart way to gauge the market's reaction before going bigger.

Staying Nimble in a Fast-Moving Watersports Market

Aaron: I like it. Safer for you guys, and it keeps things nimble in such a fast-changing space-new foil shapes, electric assists, downwind boards, wings, kites... the whole scene's moving fast.

Brendan: Exactly. Every brand has to adapt quickly. Limited runs let us test and pivot without overcommitting.

Aaron: Well, I've already seen some footage of the Apex being tested-it looks plenty powered, even in light wind with electronic assist. I'm stoked to hear more feedback once riders really start ripping on it.

What's Next From Cabrinha? Hydrofoil Teaser

Brendan: Yeah, and this release helps round out our wing lineup-we've now got the Mantis Apex, the standard Mantis, the Vision, and the AER. And this drop is just part one. We've got something else coming soon in the hydrofoil space, in collaboration with a really well-known designer. The early feedback has been incredible. Can't say too much yet, but you'll see it at KoGL.

Aaron: Love it. We'll keep our eyes out. Thanks for dropping in today, Brendan.

Brendan: Always a pleasure, man. Appreciate the stoke and the support.

Aaron: Right back at you, brother. And to our customers-if you've got questions about the Mantis Apex, hit us up anytime. This wing just dropped, so stay tuned for reviews and more content. See you out on the water!

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