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Whether you're new to the kiteboarding scene or are an old-timer who learned on a C-kite, chances are you've heard of the Cabrinha Switchblade and perhaps have even owned one or two. The Brazilian Brothers have been putting an early release of the 2026 version through its paces and are ready to share their thoughts now that it's available to the public. What is the Cabrinha Switchblade? It's been two decades since Pat Goodman designed the first Switchblade for Cabrinha. It introduced mas …

Confidence at Your Fingertips The Cabrinha Unify Control System represents the next evolution in kite control technology—a streamlined, high-performance bar that blends safety, comfort, and precision into one cohesive system. Designed for riders who demand both simplicity and innovation, the Unify marks Cabrinha’s most refined bar to date, setting a new standard for intuitive control and long-term reliability. A Legacy of Innovation For years, Cabrinha has been at the forefront …

The Brazilian Brothers have been using the Cabrinha Nitro in their kite clinics since it was released in 2023, so they're very familiar with it. Now they've got a fresh 2026 Nitro. What's new, how does it stack up to past versions, and who is it for? What is the Cabrinha Nitro? The Nitro is a 5-strut big air kite developed by Pat Goodman, who also designed kites like the Switchblade and North Orbit. The Brothers love it for its ability to perform heli-loops and help students up their big …

Tucker and Jeff have an early review of the 2026 Cabrinha Union foil. Cabrinha sent them some prototypes to ride, and so far they're stoked about it. Now they're ready to chat about what it is, what each wing is for, and who might want to pick this new system up. What Is the Cabrinha Union Foil System? This is a complete redesign that uses a monobloc construction, with the front and rear wing pieces each forming half of the fuselage. It's streamlined and incredibly stiff, and a few brand …

Tucker scored a dreamy spring session on Lake Michigan, just north of the Grand Haven pier, with the 2025 Cabrinha AER wing in hand. The lake was serving up those perfect "skatepark" style swells — rolling ramps and smooth faces that begged for carving. This edition of "Sessions" has no words and no commentary, just pure flow as he cruises, links turns, and lets the AER's light, lively feel do its thing. From buttery arcs to playful hits, it's the kind of ride that reminds you why w …

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 …

Jeff is back for another session chat, this time with Skip. What did the day bring, what gear did they take out, and how did it go? How Were the Conditions? In West Michigan, windy days can be few and far between during the summer. We can get thermals that pop up for a few hours in the afternoon on sunny days, but genuinely windy days are a rare treat, and we finally got one. Jeff got up before dawn to catch an early session and arrived at the beach to be greeted with 27-32 knots from the …

Dead center along Michigan's west coast you'll see two little bumps sticking out into the lake. They're great places to go when the wind isn't cooperating anywhere else, and Tucker got a nice session on the new 2026 Cabrinha Mantis Apex wing at the point to the south, Little Sable Point. What is the Cabrinha Mantis Apex? If you've been winging for a while, you're probably familiar with the Mantis. It's been a mainstay of the Cabrinha lineup and continues to deliver all-around performance …

A lot of the time, price gets overlooked as a factor when comparing products. Although we at MACkite usually bring it up to some degree in our blogs and videos since we talk to real customers every day and we understand the reality of having a budget, we're not completely blameless. After all, it can be hard to talk about the price when we're excited about an item that's using all the latest and greatest materials. In this edition of "Versus", we're putting price front and center and are …

If you've had the chance to foil on a wave, then you know what it's like to float on a cloud. It's an amazing feeling that'll keep pulling you back to the water every chance you get. Those sessions are all about getting on as many waves as you can, whether they're overhead ocean waves, lake swell, or bumps on a reservoir, and a good wing is going to get you where you need to be and then hang patiently out of the way. There are a lot of wing choices in 2025. Although we're only a few years …

Jimmy and Aaron from MACkite are here with a guide on how to replace a valve on a Cabrinha Wing or kite. It's not a difficult process so long as you know the steps and how to do them correctly.What You'll Need 1. A cutting board or a piece of stiff corrugated cardboard about 6x8 in. 2. Some painter's masking tape or duct tape, or clamps with soft jaws 3. A sharp X-acto or utility knife 4. Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and a clean, soft cloth 5. The replacement valve Wha …

Jake and Dustin had a chance to get out on a pre-release 2025 Moto X Design Works kite from Cabrinha, and it left them stoked. "Design Works" is the name Cabrinha has chosen for their premium line, and they started by giving the Moto X the Aluula treatment on both the leading edge and its three struts.Flight CharacteristicsThe Moto X Design Works is very user-friendly, even for beginners. Thanks to the Aluula being stiffer, it's going to have an incredible wind range on each size. It's …

Jeff and Tucker have just unboxed the new 2024 Cabrinha Mantis. The Mantis has consistently received high marks from the team, and they're excited to see what this year's model brings to the table. What's new for 2024, and what are their first impressions?How Does It Look?First off, the color scheme catches the guys' eyes. The yellow, white, and dark blue bands on the one they received look sharp, and as University of Michigan fans, they're in love. The Cabrinha name is prominently display …

The Cabrinha Switchblade has been a cornerstone in the kiting world, renowned for its performance and versatility. The latest iteration, the Switchblade, marks its 17th year with significant advancements, promising to elevate the kiting experience for enthusiasts around the globe. A Legacy Reinvented: The New Switchblade The Switchblade is not just an update—it's a complete overhaul of its predecessor. By incorporating new technologies and construction techniques, the Cabrinha team has e …

Not all things are created equally, and neither should they be. We all have different requirements, different points of focus, different needs. For some, they just want to get out there and enjoy mother nature’s finest, for others they are looking for that little bit extra to help them push their boundaries or that of the sport.  As our sports continue to grow and develop, we are seeing that products have to evolve to meet the new demands. In the 03 season we introduced the Apex se …