Cabrinha Prestige 905 2026
Reviews / Hydrofoils
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At A Glance
Cabrinha’s latest hydrofoil has been a long time coming. After the success of their H-series foils several years ago, things went quiet in terms of new wings. Rather than releasing endless incremental updates, Cabrinha took the bold approach of stepping back, rethinking their entire platform, and rebuilding from the ground up. The result is the Union system, and the Prestige is the first wing to launch on it.
At the heart of this system is a brand-new connection. Cabrinha have licensed the renowned Mike’s Lab interface, widely regarded as the gold standard in Olympic kite racing, and then re-engineered it for today’s larger-span foils. This is not a repurposed race foil, and it is not a Mike’s Lab product with Cabrinha branding. The Prestige wings are Cabrinha-designed foils from tip to tip; they simply utilise a strengthened, enlarged interpretation of the Mike’s Lab connection for simplicity, precision, and long-term compatibility.
The result is one of the cleanest, most user-friendly assembly systems on the market. The front wing and tail are both monoblock pieces, bolting together via a short bolt to make a two-piece plane, and then attaching to the mast with just two bolts. If you leave the front and tail joined, you only need to fasten two bolts to be on the water. It’s genuinely refreshing, especially for anyone used to travelling with a bag full of bolts, shims, washers, and multiple Torx bits.
Cabrinha’s approach to the range is equally refreshing. Instead of releasing a vast range of sizes, they’ve launched a simple, tight collection of wings. The Prestige 905 sits perfectly in the middle, designed to cover the widest range of riders. There is also a 760 and 1150 in the range, so a simple choice of three front wings depending on your weight and style of riding. The 905 is definitely the quiver killer, do-it-all size that works well for most riders. Tail wings come in two sizes: a 160 and a 180. Mast lengths are 78 and 84cm, each available in either a standard carbon construction, which is 16mm thick or the ultra-thin, high modulus Apex mast, which is 14mm thick. It’s a system designed to be clean, simple, compatible, and future-proof. In the coming months, we will see more wings from Cabrinha for the Union System, but right now, the Prestige is the high aspect high-performance flagship model.
Sizes: 760, 905, 1150
On The Water
I usually start testing foils by winging, simply because it offers the most consistent conditions for assessing a new setup. With such a high aspect foil, AR 11, 905cm², and a very thin profile, I expected the Prestige 905 to be a little more demanding. In reality, it’s shockingly easy to ride.
The first surprise is how early it lifts. Despite its slim profile, the 905 generates lift early and predictably. I’m about 90kg wet in a 5mm suit, so this foil is about right in terms of sizing for an all-rounder, I usually ride a 980 high aspect wing from another brand as my go-to, so this sits a little below that. My first impression was how it gets up remarkably easily, feeling efficient and slippery and using that speed to generate lift rather than having a thicker profile to achieve the same result. It doesn’t launch you out of the water; it slips you into flight in a very controlled way.
Once up on foil, the glide stands out immediately. It feels incredibly clean through the water and carries speed effortlessly. Compared to many foils I’ve tested this year, the Prestige 905 sits in a league of its own for glide-to-effort ratio. It cuts through the water like butter and makes long linking runs feel almost effortless.
That improved glide makes manoeuvres noticeably easier. Tacks, jibes, and transitions all benefit because the foil stays flying far longer. It gives you space to recover from a sloppy foot placement or a messy hand switch and still keep flying. It makes progression feel more attainable and gives you a sense that the foil is actively helping rather than punishing mistakes.
Turning performance is equally impressive. Despite its span, it is 1m wide, the 905 banks and carves with surprising agility. It doesn’t feel locked into straight lines; instead, it rolls fluidly into turns and holds grip confidently. This makes it a joy in waves, where you can redirect the foil at will. It never feels nervous or twitchy and is comfortable getting a tip out, and remains in control at all times.
When it comes to pumping, this foil genuinely surprised me. Typically, once I dip below 1000cm² in prone foiling, pumping becomes a challenge. With the Prestige 905, it feels like a cheat code. It generates so much speed from each pump that even near-stall moments can be recovered. A few strong pumps bring it straight back up to speed, letting you reconnect bumps and squeeze far more riding out of each takeoff.
Tail choice refines the character of the foil further. The 180 tail brings maximum ease and maximum pump, perfect for linking bumps or downwind glides. The 160 tail transforms the foil into something noticeably quicker and looser, ideal for tighter turns and a more “playful” foiling style. Both options work well; it simply depends on what kind of riding you want to prioritise.
Downwind, the foil continues to impress. I usually need quite a large foil to downwind comfortably at my weight, but the Prestige 905 gets up surprisingly easily thanks to its low drag and slippery efficiency. Once flying, it holds speed effortlessly and feels natural at following the energy of the ocean.
The Apex masts are worth the investment, too. They don’t set you back much more than the standard one, and the glide is noticeably better on the thinner masts; they are also incredibly stiff. I’ve ridden both masts and really the difference you feel is in the glide, they are both incredible stiff and give good control but the Apex just feels like it ads a little something extra when you are gliding between pumps or pumping out to the next wave.
Overall
I’m genuinely blown away by what Cabrinha have delivered with the Union system and the Prestige 905. This setup represents a major leap forward from the brand, combining cutting-edge performance with simplicity and ease of use in a way that feels genuinely modern. It’s not often that a foil platform manages to make assembly, travel, compatibility, and riding experience all significantly better at once, but this one does.
What stands out most is how many strong traits the Prestige 905 blends together. It has the glide of a much larger wing, the speed and efficiency of a much thinner, racier profile, and the ease of use you’d expect from something far more mid-aspect. It turns beautifully, it pumps really well, and it has a versatility that makes it suitable for winging, parawinging, prone and downwind, without ever feeling like a compromise.
The foil has a confidence-inspiring character. It feels clean, composed, and predictable, yet never dull. It’s the kind of foil that rewards good technique but doesn’t punish you when you’re experimenting or pushing your comfort zone. That’s a rare balance, and it’s a big reason why it has become my default setup for so many sessions.
The Union connection is a genuine standout feature. With so many foils requiring a lot more parts, bolts and time to assemble, the simplicity of two bolts and a joiner screw feels liberating. If you want a foil that simplifies your gear, boosts your confidence, and expands your riding potential across multiple foiling disciplines, the Cabrinha Union System with the Prestige 905 is a remarkable option. Especially given the very competitive pricing, it feels like a genuine step forward for Cabrinha and a strong preview of where high-performance foiling is heading: thinner, faster, cleaner, simpler, and far more fun.
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By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years, paddleboarding for the last six years, and was there testing the first wingsurfer from Naish in Tarifa when it arrived on the continent. He is passionate about riding waves and exploring new places. As the publishing editor, he oversees everything at Tonic but also our sister magazines IKSURFMAG and IMB. He's been on the water since he was born and has never looked back, in the winter you'll find him chasing swells in the Caribbean and during the summer he can be found all over Europe at various SUP, Kitesurf and Mountain Bike events getting features for the magazines.
