Yesterday I spent a few hours flying the Contra 12 at Wanda. I was too lazy to pump up my 12 Switchblade to have a side by side comparison. I will do this in the next few days to better describe the similarities and differences.

I can't comment on the kites light wind performance so far. It was a very windy day allowing me to test the top end of the kite.

Overall I'd say that the kite is the next step in Cabrinha's bow development. The quality and finish of the kite, the improvements done to the previous models (e.g. bar, turning speed, etc.) and especially the one pump system. For more detailed comments and photos have a look at my post at kiteforum.com http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2328525 (Moritz = Phillipp)

Kiteperformance:

I had a great session on the kite. I was literally blown away that day. Partly because the conditions were really fun to ride (decent wind and big waves) and partly because the kite felt absolutely right.

In many ways the kite performance is similar to the one I have described in the Contra 14 review, but there are some differences I would like to point out:

The bar pressure on the Contra 12 is lower than the bar pressure on the SB12. I can't really say if it's as low as on the SB9 as I didn't fly them side by side. The kite turns very fast and more 'on the spot' than the SB12. The upside is it delivers a quicker turn, which is great in waves, but the downside is that it doesn't deliver the same amount of power in that turn. I'd say still more than the Crossbow, but a bit less than the SB12 It took me a few attempts to get the jumping sorted. I think this is partly a result of the way the kite can turn if you send it backwards hard. Once i had that dialled the kite did some really high and lofty jumps. So lift and hangtime are better than the SB12 I would say. The factory release pressure of the stopper system was too low for those conditions. I had the stopper pop through a few times while unspinning the bar. But the new system is easy to lock/reset again. I didn't test the release power adjuster given the conditions were very windy and the waves were huge. So I prefered to stay on the safer side. What surprised me the most was the top end of the kite. I was expecting to get hammered in those gusts (apparently up to 30 knots - I've used the Kurnell Seabreeze graph as a reference for Wanda). The kite just handled them fine. I was not required to use the power adjustment straps at any time. I've been told from other kiters on the beach that the kite looked very stable and firm in the air at all times. So I'm not really sure anymore if the top end is lower than the SB12. It would have been great to fly them side by side in the same conditions. When flying the kite one can clearly notice that it generates a lot of additional power through apparent wind. The faster you fly the kite the more power it delivers. It feels like a turbo charge.It's good to know that the kite has a good top end, but the bottom end is what this kite was positioned for. This will remain open until we have a few low wind days where I can compare it to my SB12.

Disclaimer: These are my impressions and I tried to be objective as possible. I like the way Cabrinha kites fly so far. It might not be what some of you are looking for. But if you liked some aspects of the other two Cabrinha kites (Crossbow and Switchblade) you will surely like the Contra as they have improved and fixed quite a few things.

If unsure, go demo one. I would recommend that anyway with any kite. Don't make your mind based on what I wrote. This should just help you to narrow down your choices, not to make them for you!!!


Cheers,

Moritz/Phillipp (Doh!!!)

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Originally posted by anton

Question: Does Moritz = Phillipp

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yeah... and on that note, could you possibly elaborate on your affiliation with Cabrinha and/or a kite retailer I'm not bashing as I ride Cabrinha's myself but its a interesting avitar/description you post on kiteforum.com

I have paid for all the kites I have owned so far (including the Contra). I'm not affiliated with any brand or shop at the moment. I pay retail (not RRP - as no one does I would hope), but I don't get them at wholesale or team rider pricing. I probably get a better price than some as I buy a lot of kites every year.

If this changes I will surely change my profile at Kiteforum as it is now required by Toby (who by the way does an outstanding job as a moderator). For those not familiar with the rules, all Kiteforum members have to disclose their affiliation (team riders, shop owners, distributors and gratis gear receivers). Toby has asked for this as it makes it easier for others to read the posts coming from affiliated forum members with a pinch of salt.

With regards to some comments about my relationship to Kitepower/Steve I have to say the following:
1. Kitepower has a great range of kite products.
2. It has at least one kite for demo from each brand. This is very important for me as I like to try new kites to see if there is something I like better in the market.
3. The service I get in case I need something new or something repaired is outstanding
4. It's location is ideal when I go kiting.
5. Steve is a friend, but business is business. He needs to pay bills and I need to pay for the gear I buy. It's pretty straight forward.

So why don't you guys stop whining or hide behind your little forum names. If you have an issue come talk to me. At least the ones that have the guts to do it get a little respect from me.

Are we clear now.


Moritz

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Sorry guys, but I don't get this. I thought this forum was about kite surfing and that gear reviews are part of our sport. So if someone like myself can't write a review about a kite I just tested without being called a pimp who can???

1. I have always ridden what I like (I had Naish, Slingshot, Wipika, North, Flexifoil, Best and now Cabrinha). Currently Cabrinha is what I like best.

2. I always test new gear to see if there is something I like better than what I currently have. Some of you may say I'm full of **** for spending so much money on kiteboarding. Well, I work hard and kite boarding is what I look forward to. So let me do what I want with my money, and I won't tell you what should do with yours.

3. I have put quite a bit of time into those reviews and tried to be as objective as I can.

4. I have only compared the Contra to other Cabrinha kites. Unlike some of you guys, I haven't made other kites from other brands look bad in those comparisons

5. I have never at any point (again, unlike quite a few here) made claims that the Contra is the best kite ever, the highest jumping kite, the best hang time, the best wind range, etc.

People complain about any reviews:

Magazines: Complaint - They can't write anything bad about gear because they are affraid to lose the advertiser. Conlusion = No good. You guys will complain

Team Rider: Complaint - Team riders have to write good things about their brand. Otherwise they will lose their team rider deal. Conclusion = No good. You guys will complain

Shop Owner: Complaint - The shop owner has a financial interest. Conclusion = No good. You guys complain

Hmmm.... Conclusion = Let's not make any reviews, because you guys (the ones that complain) only like reading reveiws about your own brand and only if it's good. My conclusion = Stupid and No good.

So if you're not interested in a review don't read it. No one forces you to do so. But there are quite a few people thinking about what to buy and there are far too many choices to demo. Personally I would hope to see more reviews on Seabreeze so I know what I want to test next.

I can only summarize these reactions as poor form.

Moritz

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