hey man the rebel would be perfect for whjat u want i reckon, i had a slingshot fuel and had trouble learning and then switched to an 07 rebel which is basically the same, and first time on the water was able to turn around and go upwind in one go which was a first really for me.... helped me learn a lot quicker not too sure on the cabrinha but have only heard good about them also, as for a board u probly want somethin fairly big to start with like a 140x37-42 or somethin should see u learning pretty quick.....
