Description

Core Wakestyle’s ultimate power source can be found in the Switchblade 3. Now 100% dedicated to the cause, the Switchblade 3 delivers pure wakestyle performance to the masses.

The Cabrinha Switchblade delivers a steady powerband with the ability to ride unhooked with ease. Kite loops, handle passes, and rail slides are the kinds of things the Switchblade 3 calls routine. When hooked in, the Switchblade 3 has the ability to tame gusts with its high depower capabilities and proven Override 2 security function.

 

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 has a familiar feel of a classic kite with the increased performance and security of a flatter, high depower kite. With no pulley’s on the control system there is virtually no bar pressure.

 

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 is as comfortable in professional level competition as it is in your backyard riding spot. The Switchblade 3. Making pro level wakestyle kite performance accessible to all.

 

Made famous for its performance and ease of use, the new Switchblade steps up to the plate once again with the addition of Cabrinha's Sprint™ single point rapid inflation system and our improved Override™ 2 security system.

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 can not only boast about what’s been added but about what’s been taken away.

 

Durability >
The new Cabrinha Switchblade 3 tackles durability with transitional strut panel materials and reinforced LE closing seams. We have reinforced the high load areas of the kite with a transitionally weighted material. This well placed material acts as a buffer zone between the rigid strut areas and the canopy. The closing seams now have an additional layer of material and a layer of Mark Cloth to handle the higher demand put on them by todays riders.

SPRINT Inflation System >
Ease of use has reached a whole new level with the addition of Sprint™ - our unique single point inflation system. Just pull the kite out of the bag, hook the pump to a single valve and inflate the entire kite to the desired pressure. If you’d like to roll up the kite with only the leading edge deflated, a set of lock off clips will ensure that the struts stay inflated.

 

Instant Relaunch >
A combination of our Powerdrive™ 2N1 control system and our bridling make the Switchblade one of the fastest launching kites available today. When the kite is leading edge down on the water or snow, turning the control system 90 degrees will raise the wingtip off the surface so you can gently steer the kite into the sky, maintaining control of the power of your kite at all times.

 

Override 2 >
The Override™ method of depower has become the preferred choice from seasoned pros to 1st time riders. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

Just place the control bar in the Override™ mode and the kite will immediately begin to depower and drop from the sky. With Override™ you can avoid many accidents before they happen by maintaining control of the power of your kite at all times.

The Override™ 2 stopper unit provides a place to rest your control bar if you’d like to unspin your lines. When the Override™ stopper unit is seated on its sleeve you can temporarily let go of the control bar and unspin your lines. To place the bar into Override™ mode, you simply push past the stopper unit and the kite will immediately begin to depower and drop from the sky.

 

In the Override™ mode and the kite will immediately begin to depower and drop from the sky. With Override™ you can avoid many accidents before they happen by maintaining control of the power of your kite at all times.

The Override™ 2 stopper unit provides a place to rest your control bar if you’d like to unspin your lines. When the Override™ stopper unit is seated on its sleeve you can temporarily let go of the control bar and unspin your lines. To place the bar into Override™ mode, you simply push past the stopper unit and the kite will immediately begin to depower and drop from the sky.

Bar pressure > The Switchblade’s bar pressure is virtually non existent. Because the Switchblade comes complete with Cabrinha's Powerdrive 121 control system without pulleys, they have been able to eliminate most of the bar pressure while retaining all of the performance of a bow kite. This makes the Switchblade 3 the hands down favourite kite for the Cabrinha pro team when it comes to handle pass or kite loop combination tricks. But don’t let the lack of bar pressure fool you.

 

Conclusion:

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 from Cabrinha. Whether you are pushing the limits of wake style / freestyle or freeriding, the Switchblade 3 is hard core performance in a simple to use package.

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 is essentially a flatter 4 line inflatable kite which has incredible efficiency and depower capabilities. The flat arc of the kite, also known as Pro Span Extreme, produces more raw power than a classic arc kite of the same size. The flatter arc and unique leading edge bridle are the elements responsible for the Switchblade's incredible depowering capabilities. The Switchblade, together with the new Powerdrive 121 control system provides a level of security that can only be described as revolutionary.

 

Pro Span™ Extreme >
The implementation of Pro Span™ Extreme into the Switchblade 3 has provided Cabrinha with huge gains in the power equation. The flatter arc of the kite now means that the majority of the kite’s surface area is working for you in a lifting capacity. Unlike a classic arc which only uses approximately 50 percent of it’s arc for lifting, the Switchblade’s main lifting area is expanded to an incredible 80 percent of the kite’s surface area. This means that the smaller, lighter, Switchblade 3 kites deliver the same power as a larger classic arc kite.

 

Usable Wind Range >
Raw power is useless if there is no way to control it. This is where the Switchblade 3 shines. The Switchblade 3 has approximately 30 percent more power range than any classic arc kite. This means that a 12 meter kite, for example, can be powered to the equivalent of a 14 meter by sheeting the control bar towards the rider. At the same time it can be depowered down to the equivalent of a 8 meter just by pushing the bar towards the kite. When the control bar is pushed into Override Mode the kite achieves total depower.

 

Switchblade Bridle System >
One of the reasons for the Switchblade 3’s incredible rock solid stability is the simple leading edge bridle. The Switchblade 3 bridle delivers on two fronts: Stability and trim. The obvious benefit to the performance of the kite is the way that the bridle fully supports the leading edge of the kite under the constantly changing loads of pressure. This increased stability allows the kite to react to the riders input from the bar without the deformation that can occur with a traditional kite.

 

The other revolutionary feature of the bridle is its ability to drastically change the angle of attack of the kite while keeping equal pressure on all load points. This in turn creates an unprecedented range of power and trim including absolute depower.

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 bridle serves two functions. The most obvious function is the way that it fully supports the flat arc of the kite (also known as Pro Span Extreme). This helps to keep the kite flying rock solid even when riding through choppy water in gusty wind. The second function of the bridle is to allow the kite’s angle of attack (AOA) to radically change. This is the main feature responsible for the Switchblade's incredible range and depowering capabilities.

 

The bridle even allows for the AOA to reach a zero point where the kite stops pulling altogether. The interesting thing about this bridle is the way that it places equal tension on each attachment point even while depowering. Jelly fishing is not possible with the Switchblade 3.

 

The Cabrinha Switchblade 3 wraps all of these features into one kite to deliver:

• Moderate Aspect Ratio
• High Performance Design
• Light Bar Pressure
• Sprint™ Single Point Inflation
• Immediate Depower on Demand
• Prospan Extreme™
• Powerdrive 121 Control System
• Bow Kite Bridle
• Override™ 2
• Full Contact™ Strut Connections
• Quick Release Harness Loop
• More power per square meter than a classic arc kite.
• Incredible hang time.
• The highest level of security.
• A relaunch feature that does not require a 5th line or any wing tip tension fittings.

Construction:

• Ultralight Dura-Grid™ Leading Edge
• Molded Eva Seam Protectors
• 0.8Mm Tpu Bladders
• Polyester Woven Rip Stop Canopy

The Kite Only Package includes:

• Switchblade 3 Kite
• Expanding Bag
• Large Pump
• Repair Kit
• Cinch Strap

The Complete Package includes:

• Switchblade 3 Kite
• Expanding Bag
• Large Pump
• Repair Kit
• Cinch Strap
• 25m Flying Lines
• Powerdrive 121 Control Bar in 45m/50cm/55cm

* A Harness is required to fly this kite - click for harnesses >>

Wind Range

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

You can purchase spares for this item here >>

Depower Control Bar

The Powerdrive 121 control system features a host of refinements designed to increase performance and decrease clutter. The Powerdrive 121 implements our impressive Override™ 2 stopper unit which provides a user definable depower on demand. Additionally the power adjusters have been integrated into the Override™ unit - which keeps them aligned with the depower line, reducing the chances of tangling.   The Powerdrive 121 control system features a new reduced diameter bar with softer, embossed EVA grip end to end. It has a smooth stainless center section for improved durability where the QR meets the bar. It integrates a stainless steel swivel into the top of the harness loop. And it now comes complete with our Bypass leash.   Riders of all levels, from pros to newcomers, will all gain substantial advantages from the new Switchblade 3. Advanced Depower System One of the features responsible for the Switchblade’s incredible depowering capabilities is it’s 1-2-1 pulley system on the rear lines. This allows the rider to achieve twice the depower for the same amount of distance the bar travels as a normal control system. The 2-1 purchase also enhances turning by exaggerating the differences in line lengths when the bar is turned.   Secure Release Harness Loop The new quick release is a simple and effective way to separate the rider from the kite. The spring loaded action keeps the QR engaged until manual activation is needed. Since activation of the QR will separate the rider from the kite, it is only recommended when separation from the kite is absolutely necessary.

Override: The Override™ security system introduced the concept of Depower on Demand. With Override™ 2 we have once again redefined it. Override’s Depower on Demand is as simple as it gets. Simply push the control bar into the Override mode and the kite will immediately depower and begin to drop from the sky. You can avoid many accidents before they happen by maintaining control of the power of your kite at all times. Learn how the Override Works (7mb) Another useful feature of Override is that you can temporarily let go of the control bar to un-spin your lines. When the Override stopper unit is seated on its sleeve it will temporarily stop the bar from entering the Override mode while you spin you bar to untwist your lines. Override™ 2 Tension Ring The stopper unit is set set to release at a load of approximately 10kg. A tension ring is supplied if you would like to increase the release load. With each click of the ring the tension is increased around the stopper and the release load becomes higher. It should be noted that increased loads will require more force to unseat the stopper and put the control bar into Override mode. Note: The stopper ball is provided as a convienence feature. It is not intended to be used as a permanent stopper in which to ride against. For best results, sheet the control bar up to the ball prior to letting go of the bar to unspin the lines.

Relaunch Assist: The Switchblade's unique bridle allows the rider to perform a water relaunch by simply pulling on the left or right rear lines. The wingtip will rise out of the water and allow the rider to position the kite into a more secure side launch position. This is all possible without the use of a 5th line or additional wing tip fittings.

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

Reviews

Best all-round kite! James Cox

This kite is what everyone needs! Its an excellent all-round kite with very little bar pressure making it excellent for previous SLE owners but also people just starting out not used to the power of kitesurfing.

The safety is excellent with the simple but very effective "let go and everything stops" control bar and the relaunch is also very easy even if you are treading water.

 

Its great for unhooked riding and the one pump system is also excellent for getting up and riding as soon as possible as well as packing down when the rain starts!

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