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Some days are just better than others and the day we unboxed the all-new Cabrinha Union foil set was definitely one of the good ones! Cabrinha has completely revamped their foil lineup with new models, upgraded connection and next-level performance. It’s a major leap forward for the brand.
Normally, we like to go into our reviews blind – no specs, no spoilers – so when we heard we were getting a couple of new foils, that’s about all we knew. When the box finally arrived, we were a bit surprised by its unusual shape but everything made sense once we opened it up and found a sleek, foldable carry bag with all the components neatly packed inside. The bag itself deserves a mention: thin, rectangular and designed to unfold into a generous mat. It's perfect for laying out all the gear during setup, keeping it safe from scratches or dirt. Inside, every piece had its own protective cover, and the first one we unwrapped revealed the Apex 84cm mast. Apex? Yes, Cabrinha’s top-of-the-line, full carbon fiber mast, ultra-light and incredibly stiff in hand. Next, we uncovered a front wing: the Prestige, an all-new high-aspect ratio model, full carbon beauty. That’s when we noticed something unusual in a Cabrinha foil – it came with a fuselage seemingly integrated into it. Intrigued, we moved on to the stabilizer, also full carbon fiber. At this point, the connection system started to feel strangely familiar. We had no choice but to dig into our PDF spec and that’s when it clicked: Cabrinha has licensed the legendary Mikeslab connection system. Anyone who’s serious about foiling knows how crucial part integration is, and this system is one of the best in the game. Now, Cabrinha is rolling it out across their entire new Union range. For those unfamiliar, the Mikeslab system uses a single screw to join the front and rear wings, which together form the fuselage. That fuselage then attaches to the mast with just two screws. It’s simple, lightweight, elegant and incredibly streamlined. The result is a foil made entirely from high-modulus carbon fiber, locking together with surgical precision. Once everything was unboxed, we realized we had received a Prestige 905 and 760 front wings, paired with 180 and 160 stabilizers. And even better, we had a few weeks ahead to test them out in different conditions and disciplines.
For our first session, the wind and swell were pumping, making it perfect for a wing downwinder. Given the conditions, we went with the 760 front wing paired with the smallest stabilizer. Beyond the foil’s sleek and premium look, the first thing that stood out was the weight. It’s noticeably lighter than other carbon setups we’ve used before in the same board, and this was immediately felt both in hand and on the water. Usually, it takes a few minutes to adjust to a new foil, but the first water starts were smooth and controlled. The foil delivered plenty of lift, and takeoffs were easy, even when the wind occasionally dropped, the foil responded efficiently to pumping, maintaining momentum without effort, feeling very efficient right away. Once we locked into an upwind line, the foil showed its true nature: fast, reactive and agile. We're not just talking top speed here – the responsiveness and sensitivity were next level. While it took a few minutes to adapt to its sensitivity, we quickly discovered an incredibly playful foil that seemed to reward good technique. What truly stood out was the foil's glide efficiency and low drag characteristics. We found ourselves connecting between wind swells effortlessly, sometimes maintaining momentum without needing to pump at all. The downwinder revealed how well this foil would perform for various disciplines, from winging to prone foiling or parawinging, thanks to its efficient design. Surfing waves with this setup felt almost like cheating, though its high-performance nature means riders will need some experience to fully exploit its potential. We wrapped up the downwinder already stoked for the next session, which luckily, came the very next day.
This time, we were met with much lighter wind conditions, so we paired a 4.5m wing with the Prestige 905 front wing and 180 stabilizer. We kept the same sinker board from the day before, but since we expected solid lift from the foil, we weren’t too worried about the lighter wind and it didn’t disappoint. The lift in underpowered conditions was simply spectacular. Once again, the first thing that stood out was how light and balanced the entire setup felt on the board. There was no learning curve this time, it felt instantly familiar, as if we’d been riding it for ages. The 905 obviously has a bit more drag than the 760, but it still managed to feel surprisingly fast, agile and playful. We went for a full freestyle session, and one thing we especially appreciated was how the foil behaved in the air. The reduced overall weight made a huge difference during jumps, providing longer hang time and smoother rotations. Landings also felt forgiving and stable, even on the sketchy ones, where regaining speed was quick and effortless. Under heavy load, the setup showed zero flex, translating into precise feedback, powerful pops, and smooth, controlled ride-outs.
After numerous sessions on both wing and kite, one thing became clear: whether we rode the 760 or 905, the results were consistently impressive. Awesome glide, beautiful carving, smooth surf and freestyle-ready performance. So, how do the 760 and 905 compare? The 905 emerges as the ultimate easy-going cruiser. While slower than its smaller sibling, it offers earlier lift that makes it ideal for marginal winds or disciplines where power/speed to take off is limited. This is the foil you want for relaxed sessions – it gets on foil with minimal effort and then simply floats, making it perfect for long downwinders or practicing those first gibes without fear of the foil dropping out mid-turn. The stability and forgiveness of the 905 (or even the bigger 1150) make it an ideal learning platform while still delivering that signature Cabrinha performance. In contrast, the 760 is an absolute rocket. Demanding more technique and wind/speed to unlock its potential, it rewards skilled riders with blistering top speeds and ultra-responsive turns. When the wind picks up and you're chasing swell or looking to throw aggressive maneuvers, this is the foil you want under your feet. The 760 makes tip breaches effortless and delivers that exhilarating high-performance feel that advanced riders crave.
Both foil sizes share the same DNA: precision-crafted carbon fiber construction, intuitive handling and sleek, modern aesthetics. The 760cm² is your high-performance weapon – fast, agile, and thrillingly unforgiving in the best way. The 905cm² is your dependable companion for light wind, mellow surf or progression sessions when smooth lift and stability matter most.