The leading Hawaiian kitesurfing brand is returning to its roots. Cabrinha’s founder, Pete Cabrinha, has teamed up with a U.S. investment company, Water Bound Investments, to buy the brand back from the Hong Kong-based NeilPryde Group. Water Bound Investments is managed by a former kite professional and Cabrinha team rider, Jon Modica. Nothing is known about the financial details of the transaction.
With the purchase of the brand, Cabrinha’s headquarters will move back to Maui, Hawaii, where the brand was founded 20 years ago. From there, its founder will again take over product marketing and product development. Kent Marinkovic, president of Adventure Sports, the world’s largest distributor of Cabrinha Kites, has been appointed as the new chief executive. In the future, the global sales management will be based in Miami, Florida.
With the new ownership structure, the brand will be brought back under the control of active kiteboarders. This is expected to bring the brand closer to its target group again and speed up its response to new trends. Maui is still considered a hotspot for the surfing industry and a preferred spot for leading wind and wave athletes. It remains one of the most important test areas for water sports products worldwide.
Specializing in kitesurfing boards, kites and accessories, foil boards and wingsurfing, Cabrinha has a distribution network covering 70 countries. It sponsors top surfing athletes who collaborate in product development and marketing. Pete Cabrinha plans to continue to invest in the sponsorship of athletes as well as in music, art and the protection of the oceans. Page 12
