I have no problem committing to the kite loop and going full fish pole, so I'm assuming this isn't the issue.

But my cabrinha kites (12 meter convert, 8 Meter Switchblade, 5.5 meter Nomad - all 2010) really don't seem to loop very quickly like other kites do nor do they do it in a tight loop. In fact my 12 meter frequently loops so slowly and in such a loose loop that it touches the water frequently (especially when I just try it toeside on the surface).

Kiteboard Progressions just says hold it like a fishpole, which is what I do. But do I need to somehow do more? Do i need to powerup more?

The only one that seems to loop decently is the 5.5 meter which also usually drops down a lot faster. I see guys going out on Vegas kites much bigger than mine looping no problem.

it is a 12...they are slower than the loops you see of those pros on 9 or 7s !

And a C kite should loop tighter, different shape!

You may want to look at shorter lines... i had an old 2008 8m SB and hated the delay in the turn and loose feel of it... after i reduced the lines 5m's the kite was performing like a star and for after rocked my world... ive since found other kite brands with long lines have similar attributes so it seems the shorter the better

Line length does make a difference. I never use maker's stock lines.
I start at around 20m (q-power pro) and have three extensions : 2m, 4m, and 6m depending on kite size/shape and wind conditions.

Cabs are not known as fast (tight) looping kites - at least the one's I've tried... altho jumps are good.

Many things makes influence on looping - shape, pivot points, AoAs etc... roughly described the kite that can change tip's AoA quicker would loop faster.

You will loop your kite quicker if you'll shorten back lines. Then again you will back stall it faster...

I found great fun looping the new delta & C hybrids recently. Smaller kite normally means faster loops.

M2C

if you are jumping and then looping, the kite matters a lot but if you are still on the water and downlooping the technique matters just as much. after you pull the bar and fishpole it, do not turn the board right away or you will slacken the lines and slow the loop. you need to go forward for a bit until the kite starts to pull you the other way and then turn the board sharply. the tighter you keep the lined the tighter, faster the loop.

Just picked up a switchblade 9 and it'd be fine to loop. I can't really imagine looping my 12 though unless it was a big jump, it's such a slow kite I'd be afraid of it not making it all the way around

Í´m not that in to looping but my old switchblade 12m had def. not any problem to loop. ok at that time I didn´t do so powered loops but I can´t imagine it would be any problems.. one ting for sure is, if you´re to depowered it can be a problem as the kite gets to slow, power up and the 12m should be fast enough.

What are you looking for, regarding a "good looping" kite ?

Some seem to focus on a kite that turns fast ?

And this is typically NOT a good looping kite, if you want to do awesome powered kiteloops

But good for beginners of course

And a pivot turning kite can also loop REALLY fast compared to even good C kites - so even easier to loop
But NO power in this loop - so why do it at all ?

As I assume the fun with kitelooping is the sheer power and horizontal speed you get while doing it untill it catches you somewhat (or not...)


So IMO it is important to point out what one think is a good looping kite ?

Very very individual.

Is it a tight looping one as the only demand ?
Is it a powerful one ? (which goes in the other direction than the first demand)
Is it a C style one, or an SLE style more pivot and easy ?

Some of the good C kite freestylers, prefer the kites turn with a medium radius in fact, as the kite would be too powerless if tight turning (and it does not look good either - it sucks compared)

But even slow 12-14m2 kites can loop relatively easy, all of them, that is for sure

Sorry - have not flown the Cabs so dont know about these...

Peter

Well, my 2010 9m SB loops really well... I learned looping on it...

Its just training... But C kites loop better...

But i think yours 8m SB its just fine to loop, just practice, hit the water a few times, keep trying, and then you will learn....

No kite will loop for itself, so dont thing changing kites will make alot easyer to loop..

Hope i helped somehow