Tkb Review: 2021 CABRINHA Contra 1 Strut | Kitesurfing around the world (2023)

Available sizes:3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 (3 supports), 15 (3 supports), 17 m (3 supports)
Sizes tested:5.7 m (1 column)

Cabrinha says:

Contra's popularity cannot be overstated. Its ability to stretch any kite well into the arena in light winds is second to none. This season we've expanded the range of Contra boots to bring their legendary performance deep into the foiling realm. The single column version of the Contra is built on a platform of efficiency and range while adding featherweight control. With a single leg, this kite is lighter and more agile, allowing much smaller dimensions to be used to maximize true foiling potential. The excellent drive characteristics of the Contra 1 columns allow for low angles of attack when foiling, and the tension of the rear cable increases the steering impulse, even when demo. This dynamic redesign of the kite will make the Contra kite optimized for light winds, whether you are riding a twin tip, surfboard or foilboard.

For more information visit:https://www.cabrinha.com/products/01-contra

TKB says:

Oh boy, where do I begin with the new direction Contra has taken this year with the addition of 1 strut size to the Contra range? Often known as the big, crisp twin tip weapon for light winds, the Cabrinha team has refined the Contra formula to deliver superior single-stripe handling that includes a new foiling limit. The contrast is huge, but if your goal is to make the most of brighter days, it makes sense that the Contra remains a platform that provides intuitive and forgiving handling in much smaller kite sizes that will knock socks off the foil at all levels.

Inflator valve:Bayonet valve / no fixing required
Accessories for flying ropes:Center rein: Lark's head / Wing rein: Knob
Centerline division:Lav V
Option for front clothing:Single setting / Fixed

Design and features
The Contra is a low-to-medium aspect ratio single-strut platform, with a swept-back leading edge that terminates in solid square wingtips for excellent steering control. The leading edge of the smaller sizes seems quite narrow for low wind strength and efficiency. The Contra is equipped with a large diameter Cabrinha bayonet fill valve that does not require a nozzle at the end of the standard pump hose for quick and easy inflation. The distribution points for the single column are molded in rubber with no hard edges and the tube is larger for minimal canopy wear and quick emptying at the end of your session, all the little details that matter. The front bridle is a single adjustment rein that is fixed and does not use any pulleys or sliders to adjust the bevel angle. The middle bridle ends with a lark's head and the wing tip ends with a knot. Similarly, the wingtip attachment point has a single setting, which contributes to the easy and impeccable handling of the structure. The wingtips have sparse dacron, and the trailing edge looks like a lighter dacron that transitions into a double ripstop, with small reinforcements but no battens. Presumably this design is one of the ways the Contra achieves good canopy control and less flutter with minimal airframe.

Impression
The first thing we noticed out of the box was the overall lightness of the packaging, with a clear focus on eliminating bulky design elements while delivering tons of fine quality details. On the water we immediately felt a nice and light rod pressure, combined with the suppleness and responsiveness that the kite's turn provides, and our first off-beach foil tack was sporty yet comfortable with good power, clearly suited to the lighter side for foiling . . With the wind blowing slightly on the inside, we immediately noticed the excellent stability in the zenith and the Contra's ability to drift in gusts. One of the Contra's main strengths was its ability to hover in stagnation and exit deep windows without stalling - this made freeride carving and flying inside the window really easy in light winds. The power delivery throughout the cast was progressive and intuitive, and the pressure from the light bar on the shoulders was comfortable, but we could always feel where the kite was in the window and what it needed in terms of cover. There was plenty of depower in the wing at the end of the jet throw and the square wingtips gave good turning response even when the kite was fully deployed. At the higher end, we could always lower the Contra for comfortable gusts, and although the canopy moves when the stick is at the end of the throw, the flight frame does a good job of not overwhelming the stick or the rider with flutter. The turning radius was narrow, not quite like a spin or delta style, but small enough that the kite was easy to loop and hold position during aggressive foiling maneuvers. After dropping the kite in a gale, Contra took off very quickly with minimal reinsertion, which despite user error was key to keeping the session going. Contra in smaller foil sizes does not have the low level of its predecessors, but the super intuitive operation and agile flight compensates for that and also makes it an ideal foil kite. While the Contra is a foil kiter's dream kite for us, many of these features also make it a great progressive kite, or a potential surf or freeride crossover if you're a bigger size.

Recommended control bar
The Overdrive Quickloop 1X Trimlight is redesigned from last year, combining the benefits of an adjustable handlebar length with a much lighter chassis. The Overdrive has a low V in the center lines, and the Trimlight system above the handlebars uses a power tuning block with a bungee built into the spectrum line to keep excess slack out of the way. The middle lines end with knots and the outer lines end with a lark's head loop. The Dragon's safety system decelerates along a single safety that runs along the PVC-coated throw line, through the bar and out through the center of the quick release, providing a cleanly weighted safety system that is well designed and emphasizes safety. The quick release has a red push handle along with a manual twist that doubles as a travel cover. When the quick release is depressed, it remains open and waits to be reset. If you try to reset in the water because the gate stays open, just put the end of the chicken loop back in and push the trigger to slide it back down. The center of the steering wheel is aluminum and has the Cabrinha logo etched into the metal on one side so the rider can see when the steering wheel is being held the right way. The chicken finger is a molded plastic piece that can be removed with an allen screw for freestylers. Barenders have integrated molded foam floats, plenty of space to wrap your lines cleanly and bungees to keep your lines clean. The stick length adjustment system can be changed on the beach by pulling the plastic insert from the bottom of the stick and turning it to change the effective length of the stick. After you remove the insert, you also get three knots to adjust the length of the outer lines. This feature is easy to use and creates a smaller, cleaner and lighter rod.

The ergonomics of the handlebar include asymmetric knobs that fit between your fingers thanks to the hard EVA foam that creates the right balance between soft comfort and firmness thanks to small structured indentations. The rubber knobs on the top give the stick a grippy feel, so it feels like your hand is placed quite well on the fine, comfortable grip. Overall, the Trimlight 1x has evolved towards a streamlined, lighter design while retaining a key combination of functional and safety-oriented features for a highly comfortable yet versatile control experience.

For more information about the bar visit:www.cabrinha.com/collections/bars/products/overdrive-1x-with-trimlite

Read the full article:Tkb review: 2021 CABRINHA Contra 1 Strut