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Credits : Rou Chater / Kitesurf Magazine
Every so often something happens that turns a sport on its head and changes the face of it forever. With the release of two completely new kites from Cabrinha and Takoon are we about to see kitesurfing go through a similar change?
The idea of flatter shaped kites has been around for a while; they are an obvious solution to the traditional arc designs that have an increased drag over a flatter foil shape. Yet the rigidity of the inflatable design has kept it on top of other kites in terms of performance and it has been widely accepted as the best solution for riding on the water for sometime now. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to create flat inflatable kites in the past, but for sometime designers have been trying to create something that actually works. Bruno Legainoux, the father of the first leading edge inflatable kite, has a patent on the flat shaped inflatable. Nicholas Caillou, Takoon’s kite designer has been developing the idea for the last three years and at the Paris Boat Show Takoon launched the Nova. The hype died down pretty quick though as the designers at Takoon weren’t entirely happy with the safety aspects of the kite and they went back to the drawing board. Whisperings coming from the Cabrinha camp in Maui hinted at a new kite that had totally de-power and was perfect for use in the waves, but it was kept very hush hush until last month. On the 21st of July the wait was over and the Takoon Nova was launched to the industry at the Imperial Hotel in Hythe, following a chat with the designers and a detailed look at the new concept the party moved on to Minnis Bay in Birchington to actually ride the kite. Less than a week later the industry met again at the Sandbanks Hotel in Poole for the unveiling of the much discussed Cabrinha Crossbow, once again a chat from the Brand Manager Chris Martin and a video demonstration from Pete Cabrinha in Maui went before we were all given the chance to use the kites. By the time you read this kites from both Takoon and Cabrinha will be arriving in warehouses and heading out to shops around the country. Pre orders have already been taken and much hype has been made about the new designs, especially around the Crossbow. Brand Managers have been working tirelessly to ensure as many people get to ride the kites as possible up and down the beaches and here at the magazine we have logged a fair few hours flying time on both designs at various locations in a variety of wind conditions. This is a key point, you can’t just pick these kites up and fly them as you would your standard classic kite, they are both very different and at first you may not feel at home with them. The designers and the companies bringing them to us recommend you have at least a couple of sessions before making a decision or judgement. Read on to find out exactly what we thought, good and bad about both kites. After our test reports you will find in depth interviews with both Pete Cabrinha and Nicholas Caillou from Takoon to help you understand just what has gone in to bringing the Revolution to you the rider.
So is it a Revolution as we know it? Are classic shapes now obsolete? Do you need to sell all your old kit and indeed anything else you can lay your hands on?
