2013 Cab switchblade

Rider: 93kg intermediate
Style: Freeriding, just a little bit of Surf on a Twin tip
Weather: 35 knots - gusting to 45
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: just an ordinary dude who gets a serious buzz from kiting

Thought I would very briefly tell of my last 5 days here on Maui. It's winter so there were limited tourists and lots of locals out on the north shore. It was completely howling - I mean out of control. Some very decent waves the first couple of days.

So I had to be here for some business and was pumped to spend some time on the water each day. I need a new 10 meter so tried a couple of brands I wasn't so familiar with the first couple of days. The conditions were super gusty and pretty full on - I was holding on real tight and boosting totally huge.

The Naish kites were nice but I just wasn't getting real control. The gusts were pulverising me. I went and got a 7m switchblade just because I know the kite well having had various sizes of 2009 and 2010 models.

Well this 2013 7m was a delightful machine. It was like I'd been driving a late 90's turbo charged 2 litre and just stepped into an M3. The way it handled the gusts was just so much better than the Naish kites. It was poised and steady - very solid in the air and highly responsive to my input. Just a joy to fly and it pulled impressively - and boosted amazingly well. Maybe any kite will at 35 knots but the thing was that I was comfortable boosting the kite because it was so dependable - it was always in control.

So far as I could tell the 2013 has better turning, lighter bar pressure, better drift, ever so slightly less bottom end, but somehow improved stability and control over previous years models. The bar is brilliant.

It doesn't seem to be fashionable to rave about Cab kites. But hey - after spending 5 days in the most intense conditions I've ever been out in, I totally trust this kite. From dodging huge sea turtles, to relaunching in howling wind just under the face of large breaking waves, to catching my landing from a mammoth boost, this kite just worked all the time.

So I did a great deal on a new 10m to bring home. BTW - the cabs are very popular with the locals here. I reckon that they were most popular on the north shore this last week.

The switch has some awesome qualities. I have been riding on the 2010, 2012 and 2013. I love the 2012's. My 8 was well powered and tricky with the gusts.
I get across to HNL and have done some day trips to Kitebeach. Launch and landing is a little tricky in the gusts but the action in the water is great. Good bunch of locals also and the crew at NP (Chris and the team) have helped with a few good deals. Sad I could not get to be a part of the Kitejam this year but that's life. Looking fwd to Jul to hit again.