The folks at the Pryde Group in Miami hold a retailers meeting every year. These are the folks that distribute Cabrinha, NPX, Neil Pryde and a great deal more to North and South America. This year it was on Key Biscayne near Miami, FL. They originally planned to have it a ways down the beach at another place. Unfortunately, the outfit was having some unusual issues and wasn't real responsive. The Pryde Group wanted a sure thing without embarrassing problems with the hotel venue. What was the solution?
http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/1_ritz_IMG_7654.jpg Move things to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne?! Yes, true story, they moved the event to the Ritz. A bit pricey but long on service and that is what they wanted for the attendees. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/ritz_IMG_7641.jpg About 35 retailers came down to the Ritz on Monday to see what will be rolled out for the 2010 model year. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/s_IMG_7570.jpg Folks came from 14 or so countries as I recall including a bunch from around the USA http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/kent_IMG_7574.jpg Kent Marinkovic, President of the Pryde Group Miami operations, opened up the proceedings. Kent was followed by Josh "Rainmaker" Noe detailing great new water wear from NPX and Neil Pryde. After Josh came Todd Greaux and none other than Pete Cabrinha himself to describe what is new for 2010 from Cabrinha. This makes the tenth year Cabrinha has been in business manufacturing a broad selection of kiting gear. They have named 2010, the "Year of the Rider." Or put another way, it is about focusing on rider input to create innovations that matter. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/todd_n_pete.jpg Todd leads off for Pete http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/1998_G.jpg Pete launched a bunch of intriguing visuals from over the last decade, has it been that long? Lots of that stuff seems too familiar and recent. This is the first board ad Cabrinha ran way back in 1998. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/nomad.jpg I'll just touch on some of the information presented. There is a great deal on the Cabrinha website, up to date too at: http://www.cabrinhakites.com/ Plus the images are a lot clearer than these captures from the projected media. Pete presented the Nomad, new for 2010. The Nomad is a non-bow hybrid IDS kite combines a moderate C shaped arc with an IDS bridle to deliver the fastest turning Cabrinha kite yet. The kite is designed with wave riding and throwing kite loops in mind. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/kite_comparison.jpg Pete put up this interesting comparison of Cabrinha Bow and Hybrid kites vs. sweep and respective properties. Sorry for the fuzzy image, will try to get a clear one real soon. Cabrinha has produced a series of bar charts to match the various kites to riding styles at: http://www.cabrinhakites.com/kite-selection-chart.html http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/...s3_1.sized.jpg Cabrinha has come out with some new developments for their IDS system including a shielded PU to reduce wear and tear. Also, the Quick Releases have been modified along with the optional retaining pin. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/boards.jpg Cabrinha has brought a nice selection of twin tips, surfboards and skates to market for 2010. Something for everyone and all riding styles in there. They have these useful bar graphs that match the board (and kite) attributes to various riding styles. Such as at: http://www.cabrinhakites.com/board-s...hart-2010.html http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/sup.jpg ... and here is something really new for 2010, Standup Paddle Surfboards. Three different models in consideration of rider paddling style and weight. Again, apologies for the low light fuzz in the image. Hope to get a clearer one soon. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/Josh.jpg Josh Noe did an excellent overview of water wear from NPX and Neil Pryde (smooth rubber suits) ably assisted by Damien Leroy. There are a lot of products for USA and global distribution. Somehow, a short video of Josh sporting a perforated backside appeared in his Powerpoint?! A souvenir of a downwinder. I was surprised not to find a good shot of Josh from his presentation so I supplied this one from a 56 mile downwinder to Vero early this year in up to double overhead surf. Looking good. More about NPX and Neil Pryde wear at: http://www.npxwetsuits.com/ and http://usa.neilprydewaterwear.com/index.php Be sure to make a nice order for neoprene boots with Josh, understand there is a whole ceremony for "booty calls." After the new product presentations and hands on examination on the beach, things shifted to a reception at Adventure Sports Miami's store in Coconut Grove. It is located right across the street from Crook & Crook Marine Supplies. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/asm_IMG_7822.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/..._1_s.sized.jpg A 180 degree view of the brand new ASM store. CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL SIZED PHOTO More about the store at: http://www.adventuresportsmiami.com/ http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/...r_IMG_7721.jpg Pete chats with Oliver, nice topper Oli! http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/Fritz_IMG_7718.jpg Fritz Otiker, Media Services dials in his lens http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/...l_IMG_7741.jpg Damo and the crew dive into some foosball http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/...osh_n_Maui.jpg Paula and Josh hang out with Maui. There's Karen just back from Brazil in the background. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/kent_IMG_7753.jpg Kent grabs a photo op with the folks that kept the evening running smoothly http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/party_IMG_7757.jpg Fritz got the folks together for a group shot, say "order!" Next, out the door and down the block to dinner at Berries In The Grove. http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/dinner_IMG_7810.jpg Great food and company http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/dinner_IMG_7809.jpg http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/...7812.sized.jpg Jeremy and John of Jupiter Kiteboarding and Standup http://www.fksa.org/albums/album444/dinner_IMG_7804.jpg A great day and more to come tomorrow, there's even wind in the forecast! Thanks to all the folks at the Pryde Group and Adventure Sports Miami. |
"2015 Cabrinha Gear From The Bahamas - Kite Overview, Bars & Radar - PART I"
http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406919912 I was fortunate to attend and shoot the annual dealer meeting and 2015 product presentation of Pryde Group Americas (PGA). It was held at Old Bahama Bay, a resort at the extreme northwest tip of Grand Bahama Island. Not only did we have a remarkable amount of gear to try, we even had some nice wind to use it in. PGA presented products from the following brands are at the event: http://www.prydegroup.de/_img/prydegroup_logo.gif http://www.pryde-group.com/images/st...nd_logo_ck.png http://www.pryde-group.com/images/st...nd_logo_np.png http://www.pryde-group.com/images/st...go_imagine.png http://www.pryde-group.com/images/st...nd_logo_jp.png http://www.pryde-group.com/images/st...d_logo_npb.png http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406925784 There is a new day dawning to get into some hot new riding gear. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1401500227 The venue for this great meeting, West End, GBI way in the upper left of this chart. A classic water color of Grand Bahama Island by Wm. Johnson, JR. This post follows two life style posts that explore the event, the island and a bit of the history of the area. These interesting threads can be found at: 2015 Water Gear, Wind & Great Times In An Island Paradise - Part I and 2015 Water Gear, Wind & Great Times In An Island Paradise - Part II http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406923714 This post is devoted to exploring the 2015 kiteboarding gear offered by Cabrinha. There was an in depth product presentation provided by Pete Cabrinha himself with interjections from other key team members including Michael Raper out of Hong Kong, the International Division Manager at Cabrinha. We even heard from the design team via video. You will have a chance to view those comments in this article. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865184 An overhead view of all the people who attended the dealer meeting and made it such a great success. "Providing progressive kiteboading solutions for all areas of our unique sport is the driving force behind our 2015 program. Here is a little taste of what's to come in 2015. Filmed and produced in the Hawaiian Islands, the birth place of Cabrinha kites." The second film is here to help build the stoke, mood. As incredible as West End is in so many ways, this time of year there are typically few waves. Cabrinha has graciously served some up from Hawaii. Enjoy, then more from the sunny, flat over white sand blue water paradise of GBI. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865181 So, let's start with an overview of the Cabrinha kites for 2015. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406925779 All the kites for 2015 shown here ripping offshore in Maui. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406924925 http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865190 They have six kites for the model year as shown above. Some model names like the Switchblade have been out previously while others like the Radar are brand new this year. Cabrinha covers the spectrum of riding styles with these kites, each with both general and specific ranges of applicability. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865188 The kites vary in the degree to which they are swept back, with the Velocity BOW kite on the left having the most, with a lessening gradation through the Hybrid kites, Radar through Drifter, ending with the least in the Chaos C-shape. Properties are described above for the various shapes. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1407115750 A comparison of various kite attributes. Starting with the Radar, new for 2015.Jump to Cabrinha website: http://www.cabrinhakites.com/kite/radar.html http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865190 The Radar is an easy going, all around free style kite with remarkable ease of water relaunching. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865192 http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1407115750 http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865194 http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406865193 An overview of and designer notes for the Radar kite http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922115 A Cabrinha promotional image from Maui of a formation of Radar's in action. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1407116764 Paula and Conchy point out the abundant attractions of Old Bahama Bay and all the great gear ripping around. Let's examine the control bar systems for 2015, things have become even simpler and faster! Link to control bars on Cabrinha website at http://www.cabrinhakites.com/control.../overview.html http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922215 The QuickLoop Bar with adjustable length on the fly http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922215 Cabrinha has rolled out for this year what may be the easiest and fastest quick release rearming system (with one hand), the QuickLoop quick release system. Pete Cabrinha from the beach in the Bahamas, will show just how quick and easy the system works. Also, an overview of the Cabrinha Overdrive control bar from Kittyhawk Kites. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922215 Cabrinha has also brought a good short leash to market. Guess how many riders actually ride unhooked? I understand it is about 20%. So the rest kiting with a suicide leash configuration aren't do themselves any favors whatsoever. It tangles more easily, gets in the way and if you use it, you might go for a ride, backwards!? Things just got better for that 80 % of riders out there. A short, functional leash that stays out of the way, in front of you. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922215 Michael Raper shows off the system including the leash during the product presentation in the Bahamas. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922215 The Race Quick Link bar developed for use with the Velocity kite. I understand the bar will work with all the 2015 Cabrinha kites however. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922216 Jan Lucas Gianello walks out with the Quick Link. http://fksa.org/gallery3/var/resizes...g?m=1406922216 Wait until you get to try some of this great new gear on the water, fun times! Stay tuned, more to come on the 2015 Cabrinha Kiteboarding gear lineup in the next installment. |
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