Before we tell you all about the characteristics of the Cabrinha Switchblade you must know that Cabrinha was the first company to ever launch a bowkite. This was of course Cabrinha’s Crossbow. The second in line is the Cabrinha Switchblade. The Switchblade has a significantly rounder arc and thats why it has an easy handling and dito relaunch. Other differences include slightly less lift and increased stability, making the kite less affected by gusty, unpredictable wind. In other words: the perfect beginners kite wouldn’t you say?
Cabrinha Swithblade Bar
The depower system looks a bit futuristic but it’s no more complex than any other. There’s a solid attachment for your suicide leash. It’s quality stuff and all really well made. Real shame about the stopper ball though: it definitly is not reliable. So screw the stopperball and do not use it. The Cabrinha Switchblade is heavy on the arms, but as a result is stable and powerful and offers great hang time. The stability makes it great for wave riding and concentrating on your board and forgetting about the kite.
Kid’s stuff
As I stated before: the Cabrinha Switchblade is the perfect beginnerskite. The safety system is one of the best out there: I even transferred the system on my own fone kites! The release system is just amazing. That end of business is all good. And you know my personal belief in safety first 
The materials of the Cabrinha Switchblade are some of the best out there altough the colours really suck. All the yellow, blue and red make it all a bit kidd’s stuff dont you think?
[Click here to see pictures of the Cabrhina Switchblade 2006]
Cabrinha Switchblade handling
The depower system is a bit of a bummer. The big cleat just looks like it gonna hit you in the head sooner or later. But you do not need to depower so much because of the enormous depower it has on the bar. Steering the kite is not that ok, I think the pullys on the kite are responsible for this. It will sit still through anything and once it turns it really turns, but you have to put a hell of a lot of input into the bar. Upwind performance of the Cabrinha Switchblade is really good and jumping too.
Conclusion: OK kite for waveriding and beginners. The bar really controls the power but since I am not a real fan of bowkites and I would have to choose between a Crossbow and a Cabrinha Switchblade I would go for the Cabrinha Switchblade any time. Especially the Cabrinha Switchblade 5 and the 7m for stormy days would a perfect choice when you ride one of them fancy surfboards…
Cabrinha Switchblade SIZES:5, 7, 9, 12 and 16m