22 minute read
The Big Picture… Cabrinha | CrazyFly
THE BIG
PICTURE
Cabrinha have just released the new Moto and Contra, and the Xcal twintip. The Moto will continue to please its loyal fans while the Contra now comes in smaller sizes for foiling. The Xcal will have you jumping higher and popping harder, or if foiling is your thing the Fusion foil system has also just landed. Cabrinha have also released a new wing, the Mantis, to entice you over to the sport of wingsurfing. So plenty to catch up about…
WORDS AND PHOTO JAMES BOULDING
WHAT RESPECTIVE RIDING STYLE ARE THE MOTO AND CONTRA EACH DESIGNED FOR?
The Moto is a do-it-all, easy-to-ride freeride kite. It is the ideal kite for someone to learn on but also performs seamlessly across all areas of kiting from surf through freeride to foil. The Contra is a light wind weapon that remains in sizes 13, 15 and 17m, but this year we have added smaller sizes – 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11m – that take on the legendary efficient Contra design but have changed to a lightweight one-strut design. This is a real performance foiling kite.
WHY HAVE YOU IMPLEMENTED THE ONE STRUT ON THE SMALLER SIZES ONLY?
When foiling, there is usually much less pressure on the kite structure and you can get away with a more slimline platform. This helps with the weight and agility and it has enabled the Contra 1 Strut to perform in the lighter winds that foiling often occurs in. With so many advancements in foil technology we have seen riders using much smaller kites in light winds, so we wanted a foil-specific kite in the smaller sizes. Sizes 13 to 17m tend to be used for light wind with twintips and surfboards, and in very marginal conditions for foiling. When used with a twintip the three-strut platform benefits riders by maintaining stability. So we have the three-strut bigger sizes to ride with twintips and surfboards, and the smaller sized Contras to take over when you need a smaller size for foiling.
WHAT HAS EVOLVED WITH THE MOTO AND WHAT CHARACTERISTICS CARRY OVER INTO THE NEW MODEL?
From the off the Moto has garnered a loyal fanbase. Riders love its ease of use and friendly flying characteristics. It is a Jack-of-all-trades kite and we wanted to keep this feeling but add some characteristics that would benefit riders in the freeride arena. The arc has been modified to add forward drive and a more direct feeling. The kite now climbs through the window faster, which helps with boosting and when performing kite loops. This increases the kite’s versatility and forgivingness, something kiters love about the Moto. From foiling to surfing, to all round freeride, it is an incredibly easy kite to enjoy and progress with, and straight away you will notice the upgrade both on the bar and in the performance.
TELL US ABOUT CABRINHA’S CHOICE OF RIPSTOP FOR THE KITES.
Cabrinha’s Nano Ripstop was introduced last year and is now being used across our whole kite and wing range, giving a performance, strength and durability boost to each kite and wing. We are using a
much smaller ripstop pattern (hence Nano Ripstop) that doubles the amount of cells. Instead of just dipping the cloth into the coating, the new canopy gets treated in a process called plasma treatment, which enables our new exclusive coating to bond much better. This threestep process has helped us increase tear strength, gives the canopy a noticeably more rigid feeling in the sky, and makes the canopy longer lasting.
THE NEW XCAL TWINTIP SEEMS TO HAVE HAD QUITE A REWORKING. WHAT HAS CHANGED AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT PERFORMANCE?
Both the Xcal and Xcal Carbon have had refinements to their shape, while adding more aggressive quad tip and rail channels. This leads to more backfoot control and improved control when popping. For Big Air, release off the water is the key component. The more resistance that can be held before release converts to higher jumps, while for freestyle it leads to more pop and slack. Whether you choose to ride boots or straps, both boards are lively under foot with the right amount of stiffness to perform at the top level.
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE NEW FUSION FOIL SYSTEM?
We wanted a modular system where owners can interchange wings, masts and fuselage sections to tailor their equipment to whatever sport they want to perform. We are seeing people use bigger wings for surf foiling and big boards for winging, so there are some huge torsional forces involved. It was clear early on that we needed to futureproof the Fusion system so that whichever direction the sports take the equipment platform can cater for this. We negated the issues of directly connecting wings to the fuselage with screws, by seamlessly integrating the wing sleekly and efficiently to the front part of the fuselage where a huge amount of torsional stress goes through. It also became very important that playing around with the length of the fuselage was key to customizing your ride for the different sports and is a trend seen happening out in Maui. The Fusion system allows you to easily change the rear section of the fuselage (without too much expense) without needing to buy a whole new fuselage. For winging we have seen riders choosing longer fuselage options, whereas for kiting slightly shorter rear sections are better for a more agile and carvey characteristic. This modularity extends to the mast options too with carbon and alloy offerings. Whichever direction foil wings go in, the system is ready to take on this change without people needing to buy new parts for the rest of the system. All of this combines into the futureproof principle that is at the heart of this system.
KITES BOARDS
CONTRA 1 STRUT
MOTO XCAL WOOD
WINGS FOILS
MANTIS NO WINDOW
MANTIS WITH WINDOW FUSION CARBON
FUSION HYBRID
AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE NEW FUSION SYSTEM?
The key advantages of the system are stiffness, modularity and efficiency. Every connection has been redesigned to maximize stiffness. This is where you really notice the difference with other options on the market. The integrated carbon front wing and fuselage connection means that when you lean into a turn you get an incredible response with no give in the system. The new mast construction and deep fuselage-to-mast connection add to this for an ultra-stiff setup. It is all about performance and something that is very noticeable the first time you jump on it. Winging, surf foiling and kite foiling are exploding at the moment and it has got everyone amped putting this product together to ensure riders aren’t worried about the durability of the product when trying new things.
WITH WINGING BECOMING EVER MORE POPULAR YOU HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW WING, THE MANTIS. HOW DOES THE EXPERIENCE AND FEATURES FROM KITE DESIGN CARRY OVER INTO IT?
This is where having the knowledge of 20 years of kite manufacturing really benefits the wing program. We have been able to use all the technology and manufacturing processes we use for our kites in the wings. With winging being relatively young there is a lot of design work going into the wings, and I think it shows how serious we are that we have just released the Mantis, our third wing, to go alongside the already popular Crosswing X2. With the release of the X2 we introduced some unique design concepts like the double strut and widespan handles. It has amazing low-end power, which helps riders get up and riding fast, and with its tight canopy it is an incredibly efficient high performance wing. We’ve complimented this now with the Mantis, our lightest wing, which comes in a window or windowless option. It has its DNA in surfing but this is really an exceptionally versatile freeride wing. Although lightweight, it is incredibly rigid, and with its ease of use, predictability and performance, it is a good choice for all ability levels. In the Mantis you can see how working closely with our factory over kites has allowed us to come up with some leading edge stitching technology that supports the leading edge when it is pumped to high inflation pressures.
HOW MUCH WERE YOUR TEAM RIDERS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR NEW RANGE?
We have a wide collaborative approach to the entire design program, and this is where having very experienced, knowledgeable team riders certainly adds weight to the process. But the majority of the work is done by our test and design team headed up by Lars Moltrup on Maui. It is easy to think the input of just a few people is responsible for a product, but at Cabrinha the roots spread very wide including input right through our distribution partners and sales reps. Each product goes through many iterations, and one benefit of doing the majority of this on Maui is the fact the island is a wind machine. With around 330 windy days a year, the island offers wind and waves most days as well as conditions that benefit the testing process. ■
THE BIG
PICTURE
CrazyFly have released two all-new arrivals, proudly made in Europe: the Infinity, a twostrut, lightweight kite, and the Cruz 1200, an easy to use freeride foil. The combination will have you up and riding in the lightest of winds, ‘to Infinity and Beyond!’ as team rider and photographer Laci Kobulsky found out when he headed to Dubai for the CrazyFly photoshoot. We caught up with Marketing Manager Juraj Bukovcak to find out more…
PHOTOS LACI KOBULSKY
WHAT DOES THE INFINITY BRING TO THE PARTY AND WHY SHOULD WE WANT TO RIDE IT?
With this exciting addition to our kite range, CrazyFly is back to offering three different kite models: the Hyper is for Big Air, the Sculp is our performance all-rounder and great for kiteloops, and now we add the new Infinity kite. It is a two-strut lightweight kite for foiling, surf and light wind freeriding. It is designed for and works really well in underpowered conditions, with incredible low end, stability and drift. It is very easy to fly with light bar pressure and lots of on-the-bar depower. If you are looking to spend more time on the water in marginal wind conditions on a foil, twintip or surfboard, the new Infinity kite is the right choice.
FOIL FREESTYLE IS GROWING IN POPULARITY. IS THE INFINITY GOOD FOR THIS DISCIPLINE?
Yes, it looks like we hit the nail on the head with this! The Infinity shape was developed from the Hyper platform, so the Infinity has the Hyper’s Big Air DNA. For a two-strut kite, the Infinity exceeded our boosting expectations and we think this is a big plus for it. There is plenty of boost on tap with lofty hangtime, making it ideal for foil freestyle. The Infinity is mainly a light wind kite, but does not disappoint when the wind picks up.
TELL US ABOUT THE INFINITY’S SHAPE AND DESIGN.
It falls in the delta bow category and these kites are known for maximum low end, lofty jumps and easy relaunch. Delta bow kites also fly further forward in the wind window and are great for going upwind, and they therefore have amazing efficiency in low wind. With a mid to high aspect ratio and lower profile, the Infinity shares characteristics of a race kite. This makes the Infinity a great light wind kite.
WHY HAVE YOU USED TWO-STRUTS INSTEAD OF ONE LIKE A LOT OF OTHER LIGHT WIND KITES?
Our goal was to create the best light wind foil-specific kite. The number of struts was not a given. We tested no strut, one-strut and two-strut prototypes, and given the test results and what we think will benefit the end user most, the final choice was a two-strut kite. Our two-strut prototype achieved the weight of most one-strut kites on the market, so we didn’t feel the need to drop a strut. Flying a two-strut kite was much nicer than the one-strut option – with more struts, the kite is always more stable and holds the shape better. Adding struts also helps with relaunch as the canopy does not stick to the water surface. I think the development team did a great job of achieving the best of both worlds: the weight of one-strut kites with the performance of a two-strut kite.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE YOU USING FOR THE INFINITY TO KEEP THINGS LIGHT?
The canopy is made out of Triplex triple ripstop. This is heavier than traditional D2 double ripstop fabrics, but Triplex is 30% more airtight thanks to a different coating. It helps the kite pull more and this outperforms the slightly added weight. On the other hand, compared to our other kites, the Infinity has almost no Dacron on the canopy. Dacron is only used on the leading edge, struts and a small stripe on the wingtips. As the Infinity is mainly for light wind, it does not take as much abuse as kites used in strong wind. We were able to narrow down the leading edge and struts resulting in further weight saving, and reinforced the shape with a new bridle structure to balance out the weight savings.
WHAT TYPE OF BRIDLE HAVE YOU IMPLEMENTED?
The bridle supports the leading edge on eight points. We use a fixed bridle without any pulleys, which saves weight and results in faster reactions of the kite. When tuning the bridle, relaunch was an important factor and this has been tweaked to perfection. To further enhance relaunch we pack an optional fifth line for the two biggest Infinity kite sizes. The rule here is if you can fly the Infinity kite in the air, you should always be able to relaunch it if it drops.
WHICH BOARD WOULD BE THE INFINITY’S PERFECT PARTNER?
To stay on the water as long as possible when the wind is dropping, the Cruz 1200 foil and Pure foil board are the perfect set up to use with the Infinity kite. The full carbon Slicer light wind twintip also works very well with the Infinity kite. I always suggest using a bigger board instead of a bigger kite if possible. Big kites are harder to relaunch and slower to fly.
TELL US ABOUT THE CRUZ 1200. WHO WILL WANT TO RIDE IT AND WHY?
The Cruz 1200 is a long awaited set up in our foil range and we are excited it is finally here! It is a very versatile wing design covering a broad spectrum of foilers who will undoubtedly enjoy it. It is a lower aspect wing with a lot of surface area, making it easy to ride on and ideal for beginners. It has high lift at low speed and gradual predictable acceleration – definitely a great option for your first foil and for progression. But the wing design offers much more – advanced riders will appreciate its great stability in moderate and higher speeds, while in lower speeds it is playful and easy to maneuver. It is at home in small waves and prone, with a true surf feel.
CRUZ FOIL RANGE
INFINITY
HOW DOES IT FIT WITH YOUR OTHER CRUZ MODELS; ARE THEY COMPATIBLE?
The Cruz foil range now consists of three models: 690, 1000 and 1200. The 690 is a do-it-all foil with medium top speed, a nimble fun-to-ride set up that works well for shallow water sports thanks to its robust injected carbon wings. The 1000 has the biggest wingspan of the three and is therefore easy to ride on and the most stable. If you like to step on the gas pedal, it likes to get going – its wing design is focused on speed with a mid to high aspect ratio. The 1200 completes the range for this year as the most beginner friendly, low wind, and surf feel option. All parts are compatible and interchangeable within the Cruz foil range; all three models work with the same fuselage and rear wing. This makes it really convenient as you can quickly swap between the front wings without worrying about anything else. We also offer three mast lengths: 50, 70 and 90 centimeters, which covers beginners, shallow water spots and advanced foilers as well.
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WINGS?
The Cruz foil range combines the latest in wing construction methods: injected carbon compound and carbon composite. All Cruz rear wings, plus the 690 front wing, are made using the injected carbon compound. Injected carbon is an innovative polymer mixed with carbon fibers spread in multiple directions. It is very light and extremely strong. These wings are pretty much indestructible. Injected carbon technology allows for very efficient hydrodynamic shapes, reduces drag and increases speed.
The carbon composite method used for the two larger front wings, the 1000 and 1200, I cannot reveal exactly! But I can say that we produce these wings flawlessly within a few minutes, without any extra coating or spray painting needed after they are taken out of the mold. The surface has a beautiful shiny carbon finish, but more importantly, the wings are stiff and extremely strong. This is achieved by multiple layers of uni-directional carbon, triaxial carbon and 45-degree carbon, all strategically placed on top of a stiff core. The results are ultra-light, yet very strong and dynamic wings for the best possible foil experience.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAST?
The Cruz foil masts are aircraft quality, high strength aluminum alloy with a hard-anodized surface treatment – this technology is second to none. Because we only offer twintip-construction low-volume foil boards, we had to consider this aspect when making aluminum masts. The Cruz foil masts are completely water sealed on both the top and bottom, and the trapped air inside the mast increases its buoyancy. This makes all CrazyFly foil kits float with our low volume foil boards, so you can stay focused on foiling instead of worrying about losing your precious foil kit.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR REVISED TOP AND BOTTOM MAST CONNECTIONS.
Every foil needs to be stiff and have strong connections for all parts, for the best possible and responsive ride. The baseplate to mast connection, and fuselage to mast connection use a very simple and innovative solution. Our engineers eliminated the traditional pocket connections and opted for a clean flat surface to flat surface bond. The wings to fuselage use flat-to-flat surface connection too. There are absolutely no vibrations or movement as production tolerances are completely out of the equation here. The strength and rigidity of this clean connection creates a feeling of a one-piece foil construction.
WE PRESUME THE INFINITY AND CRUZ 1200 WERE BUILT IN YOUR FACTORY CLOSE TO HOME - HOW HAS THIS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS?
Yes, the Infinity kites and Cruz 1200 foils are made in our own CrazyFly factory in Slovakia. The factory has evolved very nicely and is running at a historically high capacity. We are really pleased to see our made-in-Europe and three-years-warranty strategy materialize in sales growth. It is great to see customers appreciate all the details and improvements we have made on our products over the last couple of years. With Covid complicating things and some brands closing down, we could not be prouder of CrazyFly’s growth and adding more products like the Infinity and Cruz 1200 into our range.
ARE YOU INTRODUCING ANY NEW BUILDING TECHNIQUES AS YOU DEVELOP YOUR KITE AND FOIL BUILDING PROCESS?
Looking back at the 2017 kites when we started our own kite production, we have definitely introduced a lot of new techniques. Even the techniques from those kites seem old now. As far as I know, we were the first kite factory to use a laser cutter, which was essential for producing in Europe. We also boldly started uniting multiple kite panels into one piece. So, instead of three or four panels on the canopy or leading edge we made just one panel. This year, we have a new reinforced cross leading edge seam that is stronger than ever. Such changes may seem small individually, but making four or five changes like this every year makes a big difference. Looking at the latest 2021 kites, with their higher strength and reduced weight, there is a huge difference compared to the kites from 2017. With the new Infinity kite, you can definitely stay on the water longer than for example with any other inflatable kite from 2017. And we were able to get there thanks to the small improvements done each year.
We have been working for over four years on foil production. It took three years of hard work to get the Cruz 690 launched in January 2020 with the innovative injected carbon wings technology. The 690 at that time was also the lightest aluminum foil on the market, so a great achievement for our team. The birth of the Cruz 1000 and the 1200 foils with ‘laminated’ full carbon wings took another year, as they are not exactly laminated. Unfortunately, as I wrote above, I cannot reveal this production method, as I believe we are ahead of our competitors in this particular area of production.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TESTING THE INFINITY AND CRUZ 1200 AND WHICH OF YOUR RIDERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED?
The Infinity was mainly tested in the Philippines and Egypt, but also Aruba, Italy, Germany, France and even our home in Slovakia. Apart from these countries, the Cruz testing also took place in the UK and in Hungary. The Infinity and Cruz 1200 testing was a bit easier than usual, as with them you can get going in virtually no wind. The main tester behind all CrazyFly kites is Kihwan Kwon. He has been kiting every windy day since the birth of the sport and has incredible experience and talent for kite development. Petr Piche Pechacek, an experienced foiler and strapless master based in Aruba also had a lot to say about the Cruz 1200 and the Infinity. Then the kite continued to our team riders Posito Martinez, and Liloo Fourré who completed the Infinity development stage. This was followed by a test market where we sent the finished kite and foil to a selected group of customers for feedback, before launching the products on the market.
LACI ALSO FILLED US IN ON HOW HE FOUND THE NEW GEAR IN DUBAI:
“I was super keen to test out the new CrazyFly gear. I really enjoy foiling in spots like Dubai where the conditions are not perfect for freestyle and I can just cruise and explore. I was concerned that a two-stut kite would be unstable in the air, but I needn’t have worried – it was just as stable as my usual five-strut Hyper, and kitelooped as fast as any other kite. The main difference was that while my pals around me were on 15m or larger kites, I was cruising on a 9m. It comes with an additional fifth line so relaunch is easy and possible in any conditions. Personally, I love the fifth line option because I feel safe knowing that even if the wind drops, I can relaunch the kite with ease. I am used to riding the Cruz 690 so I was keen to test out the 1200. If you want an easy and chilled cruisy foil, 1200 is the perfect option; it is really easy to start and super stable in the ride.” ■
