Style: Seven Strut BOW kite
The Crossbow started the BOW revolution and remains a powerhouse of speed and control, versatility and security. Positioned in the formidable Cabrinha line-up, as their freeride/race kite, the Crossbow is the dominant force on the race circuit and in the hearts of free riders.
Bar and Safety Systems
Cabrinha’s IDS (Intelligent Depower System) has been upgraded this year with the landing leash line located inside the plastic tubing of the trim system. Also a welcome addition, the Overslide IDS unit acts as a stopper ball to stop the bar from travelling out of arm’s reach while un-spinning the lines. This Overslide Unit also keeps the depower trims trap adjusters within arm’s reach. The IDS safety system was a trend-setting design which adopts a two-stage approach to safety. The first stage being, the 90 per cent depower available from simply allowing the bar to travel the trim line’s full distance, or what Cabrinha calls Interactive Depower on Demand.
The secondary stage of safety, they call Absolute Depower, is engaged by pulling the quick-release trim loop, or the pin housing on it and that allows the bar to travel up the mini fifth line to 100 per cent flag the kite from the front bridle system. Cabrinha has a clean, streamlined bar design with a nicely textured and small diameter grip and the bar ends are soft and made of EVA so they help float the bar. A new retrofit pro kit is also available for the IDS system which eliminates some safety but improves the turning performance and feel of the kite.
On the Water
The Crossbow has all the elements to make it a winner on the race course and it can branch into the all-terrain/free ride category with easy-to-access flying character for any level rider.The first thing you notice about the Cabrinha Crossbow is the rock-solid shape it delivers, with the seven struts and compact bridles it sits confidently above head and there’s absolutely no tendency of back stalling or any other funky issues.
The speed factor is immediately noticed as gusts translate instantly into speed with simple sheeting adjustments. Steering isn’t really required to keep the Crossbow in overdrive, as simple sheeting adjustments will seem to keep the kite in the fastest lane. The Crossbow sits solidly on the edge of the window and delivers excellent upwind suction. Bar pressure is moderate and ensures that the rider always knows where the kite is in the sky.
Steering the kite through transitions, the Crossbow delivers smooth and powerful pull. It doesn’t have super quick turning but the smooth pull and easy drive of this kite more than make up for it. The upward loft and long glide of the Crossbow are unmatched in the right hands, and anyone looking to stay up in the air longer than their friends should consider this kite.
Depower makes it a capable wave kite but it’s more suited to free ride blasting and big air, long float jumping. The IDS system has great safety features and quickly water re-launches the kite with a short pull of the steering lines.
Reality Check
The Crossbow is the ideal race kite but isn’t as versatile for other disciplines as some of the other kitesurfing kites in the racing field.
Bottom Line
If easy access to speed and smooth power delivery is what you’re looking for the Crossbow delivers on all fronts. Its stability and wind range are second to none.