Cabrinha Nitro Apex Kite - 2027

The Cabrinha Nitro Apex Kite 2027 is a completely redesigned, purpose-built big-air and high-performance freeride kite, engineered for explosive vertical lift, extended hangtime, fast controlled loops and confidence when riding fully powered.

Developed from the ground up rather than evolved from an existing platform, the 2027 Nitro represents the largest step forward yet in Cabrinha’s dedicated big-air range. Its new five-strut high-aspect design combines a reduced-diameter HT140 leading edge with lightweight, highly rigid Aluula outer struts, allowing the kite to fly faster, hold its shape under extreme load and deliver the most vertical lift Cabrinha has produced.

The refined profile, swept wing tips and precision bridle reduce drag and improve acceleration through the wind window. This creates a kite that responds quickly when sent, climbs aggressively through take-off and provides the support needed for long, controlled flight and confident landings.

For advanced riders, the Nitro Apex provides the speed, feedback and turning performance needed for powered kiteloops and technical big-air progression. Its stability and predictability also make the larger sizes accessible to riders developing their jumping in more normal wind strengths, rather than requiring extreme conditions to experience meaningful lift and hangtime.

The Nitro is the first Cabrinha kite developed fully around the Unify High-V configuration, while its adjustable Vert-X bridle also supports Low-V use. High-V provides the most direct steering, tighter turning characteristics and strongest bar feedback, giving the rider an immediate connection to the kite during take-off, loops and powered landings.

Choosing the correct size? Our Kite Size Guide explains how rider weight, board choice and typical wind strength affect your ideal kite size.

DESIGN PROFILE

Five-strut, high-aspect big-air platform with a reduced-diameter HT140 leading edge, Aluula outer struts, swept wing tips, precision eight-point bridle and Vert-X High-Y or Low-V tuning.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Completely redesigned high-aspect platform – developed specifically for speed, lift, hangtime and high-performance control
• Aluula outer struts – increase stiffness while reducing weight in critical areas of the airframe
• HT140 reduced-diameter leading edge – lowers drag and weight while increasing aerodynamic efficiency and steering speed
• Five-strut structure – provides high-end stability and profile support when fully powered
• Eight-point precision bridle – delivers responsive steering, accurate support and pivot-focused turning
• Single sliding pulley – creates a loose, dynamic steering feel while maintaining precise control
• Vert-X adjustable bridle – compatible with Cabrinha Unify High-V or Low-V configurations
• Swept wing-tip design – reduces drag and increases effective canopy efficiency
• Teijin D2 Ripstop canopy – lightweight, high-performing and exceptionally durable
• Airframe Inflation System – simple and dependable single-point inflation
• Explosive vertical lift – designed to climb rapidly and efficiently through take-off
• Extended hangtime – high-aspect efficiency provides sustained support and glide
• Exceptional wind range – stable from normal riding conditions through fully powered big-air sessions

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Nitro Apex is designed for intermediate, advanced and professional twin-tip riders who want a dedicated kite for boosting, hangtime and kiteloops. It is best suited to riders who already have consistent kite control and want to progress beyond general freeride jumping into more technical and powered big-air riding.

Experienced riders will benefit from the Nitro’s fast flight, direct feedback, aggressive vertical lift and highly supported frame when riding in stronger winds. It provides the speed and turning control required to commit to powered loops while remaining composed when heavily loaded.

The larger sizes also make the Nitro relevant to riders developing their big-air performance in more normal conditions. Its combination of stability, predictability and high lift allows riders to build jump height and leaderboard performance without waiting exclusively for extreme wind.

RIDER PROFILE

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Explosive vertical boost with rapid climb and efficient take-off
• Long, supported hangtime from the efficient high-aspect platform
• Fast forward flight for strong apparent wind generation and high jump potential
• Precise direct steering through the eight-point bridle and High-V configuration
• Tight, controlled loops with responsive pivot-style turning
• High-end stability from the five-strut frame and rigid Aluula outer struts
• Excellent wind range across normal freeride and fully powered conditions
• Clear feedback during redirection for confident catches and landings

KEY TECHNOLOGY

Aluula Outer Struts – Lightweight, highly rigid Aluula laminate is used in the outer struts to reduce weight and increase stiffness where it has the greatest effect on turning response and frame support. This helps the kite remain composed during jumps, loops and high-speed riding.

HT140 Leading Edge – The reduced-diameter HT140 leading edge lowers aerodynamic drag and overall weight. The smaller frontal profile allows the Nitro to accelerate rapidly through the window while retaining the structural support needed when fully powered.

High-Aspect Design – The efficient high-aspect outline is central to the Nitro’s vertical lift and hangtime. It allows the kite to climb quickly, create strong upward projection and continue supporting the rider through the apex of the jump.

Eight-Point Precision Bridle – Multiple support points stabilise the high-aspect canopy and maintain profile control through a broad wind range. The bridle also delivers responsive steering and controlled pivot-style turns.

Single Sliding Pulley – Provides a more dynamic steering response while allowing the bridle to adjust smoothly as the kite moves through different angles of attack.

Vert-X Adjustable Bridle – Supports use with Cabrinha’s Unify High-V or Low-V setup. The Nitro was developed primarily around High-V, which provides the most direct feedback, tighter steering and strongest connection to the kite.

Swept Wing Tips – Reduce unnecessary drag and help the canopy move efficiently through loops and redirection while supporting relaunch and controlled turning.

Teijin D2 Ripstop Canopy – A lightweight and durable canopy material with strong bias control, helping the refined Nitro profile remain clean and responsive under load.

Airframe Inflation System – Cabrinha’s current single-point inflation platform provides straightforward setup, dependable sealing and practical servicing.

DESIGNER NOTES

Cabrinha designer Pat Goodman explains that the Nitro was developed from the beginning as a purpose-built big-air and freeride kite rather than as an evolution of an existing platform. The objective was to create exceptional speed, direct feedback and confidence when riders push towards their limits.

Considerable development focused on reducing drag and increasing flying speed. The combination of the smaller leading-edge diameter, refined profile shaping and optimised bridle allows the kite to travel through the window extremely quickly while maintaining the stability needed for heavily powered riding.

Adding Aluula to the outer struts was another major development. Reducing weight while increasing stiffness in these critical sections makes the kite feel more direct, more responsive and more composed when loaded during jumps, loops and high-speed riding.

The Nitro is also the first Cabrinha kite fully developed around the Unify High-V configuration. This provides a direct steering feel, tighter turning characteristics and immediate bar feedback. The resulting kite flies faster, boosts higher and gives riders the confidence to commit to more technical big-air progression.

TECH SPECS

WIND / WEIGHT CHART

Note: Cabrinha’s published wind ranges are based on a 75kg rider. Actual usable range varies with rider weight, board choice, water state, experience and riding style.

HIGH-V OR LOW-V SETUP?

The Nitro was developed primarily around Cabrinha’s Unify High-V configuration. Always follow Cabrinha’s recommended bridle and control-system setup instructions.

NITRO APEX VS SWITCHBLADE

Both are stable five-strut kites, but their handling and performance priorities are different.

• Nitro Apex – dedicated big-air platform with faster flight, more vertical lift, longer hangtime and greater high-end performance when precisely timed
• Switchblade – more accessible freeride platform with easier jumping, predictable handling and greater forgiveness for general riding

Choose the Nitro if maximum boost, loops and powered performance are the priority. Choose the Switchblade if you want easier timing, broader freeride versatility and a more forgiving progression platform.

NITRO APEX VS MOTO APEX

Both kites use Aluula laminate in their strut construction, but the Moto Apex is a lighter three-strut all-round platform. The Nitro provides more structural support, greater high-wind stability, stronger vertical lift and longer hangtime. Choose the Moto Apex for multi-discipline versatility; choose the Nitro for dedicated big-air performance.