New Era

It has been a long time since I've bought a new kite (the latest ones I've gotten have been used ones).

Yet what is most significant about this is - this kite is not a Naish...

I have been looking for a while at what the new kites have evolved into since the golden era of the C kites (my Naish V4 16 is still my favorite kite ever) and I have been most impressed by how the Cabrihna line has come along (same conglomerate as Neilpryde and JP Australia). And this kite is supposed to have everything that I have been looking for - lofty jumps, massive depower and upwind pinching ability. And it was on big time sale -

I got the 11 m^2 first knowing winter is coming along (strong, stiff North winds - but have to go to Dauphin Island), and La can use this kite when I would be using a bigger kite (16 m^2).

I have to admit, I have been diverging from the Naish junkie I was. Don't get me wrong, their stuff always was and always will be incredible. It's just that there are so many other brands out there and I just feel it's time to experience other things (doesn't it sound like I'm breaking up with a girlfriend???). The evidence is there - Starboard SUPs, this Cabrihna Crossbow, Kialoa paddles - the opportunity certainly was there and I have gone in different directions.

Well, time will tell - I do have tremendously high expectations of this kite and I hope it delivers. And worst case, I could always stick a Naish sticker on the canopy and feel like I'm not cheating on them...

More to follow...