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I've been riding North Vegas kites for over 4 years now, and I am thinking of switching to the Cabrinha Nomad.

I've been told by a friend that an 11m Nomad will have the same or better wind range than my 12m Vegas, low end and high end.

I weigh about 155, and ride a short little 129 board that is a dream come true. Can anyone give any personal experience on what wind is needed to go upwind, jump, etc?

Surferpatton,
The Cabrinha Nomad kites have a huge wind range. Two experienced riders I know, weighing in the 175 and 185lb use the 11m Nomad in winds starting from 14/16knots and are pushing the Nomad kite into winds gusting up in the low 30s.
Naturally your skill level, board type and weight will have an effect on your wind range when using the Nomad.

Sorry I cant give you the answer for comparison, but I can tell you it has a great range.
I havnt flown the 2011 Nomad yet, but have the 2010 13m. The 2011 Nomads have improved low end which was the only complaint I heard about the 2010's flying performance. What always amazed me about the Nomad was how well it handled the hi end of the wind range and especially the gusts. I typically fly my 13 Nomad in place of a 12m SB when I know its going to be Gusty conditions or varied winds, as when the wind drops I can work the kite as its meant to be flown or park and ride when its over powered conditions. Im very interested to see how much improvements have been made on teh low end of the 2011's as its a very fun kite to fly

Yeah, with the way I'm seeing the 2010 models priced at 40-50% off, I'm gonna snag an 11m this weekend. I'm an advanced kiter, so I should be able to really work the kite in the low winds. Thanks for the input!

-Patton

surferpatton,
If you can get the 2011 Cabrinha bar/line combo this would be recommended along with your discounted 2010 11m Nomad. The 2011 bar has been nicely refined, from the chicken loop/donkey stick, to the bar ends, bar grip, lines, and recoil.

Thanks for the advice! I will see what I can do about getting the 2011 bar. Is it worth $100 bucks to upgrade? I figure worst case scenario, they will tell me they can do it for a certain price.

-Patton

the bar upgrade is most definitely worth going for.

surferpatton wrote:I've been riding North Vegas kites for over 4 years now, and I am thinking of switching to the Cabrinha Nomad.

I've been told by a friend that an 11m Nomad will have the same or better wind range than my 12m Vegas, low end and high end.

I weigh about 155, and ride a short little 129 board that is a dream come true. Can anyone give any personal experience on what wind is needed to go upwind, jump, etc?

Don't know about the 2011 but the 2010 had very little low end. I am sure that my 9m switchblade has about has much lowend as the 13m Nomad. An 11m xBow has a lot more lowend for sure.

I was about to buy a 13m 2010 and I tried it in light condition about 15 or 16 knots and I really had to work the kite to get going. I But my friend tried the same 13m nomad in 25 knots and it was magic He was popping the highest jump with the nomad in these conditions. It is really meant for hi wind, wave riding and freestyle.

I think Cabrinha are optimistic with the lowend advertise on their charts. 13m starting at 11 knots (no way you can enjoy that kite in these range).

It is really light on the bar and quick ib the air. Nice looping machine but no lowend whatsoever.

Jumarcil,

How much do you weigh, and what size board do you ride?

-Patton

jumarcil wrote: I think Cabrinha are optimistic with the lowend advertise on their charts. 13m starting at 11 knots (no way you can enjoy that kite in these range).

I used to fly my 14m contra in 11 knots (at an absolute min) and the 13M crossbow is a better replacement for that kite, so I'd say those lowend numbers are pretty accurate. You won't be doing any jumps and stuff, but for cruising 11 kts is ok... not great, but works. I'm about 160 lbs.