The 2026 Paul Ulibarri Z Confetti Captain's Raptor & Release History
- Discraft Discs
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Some discs are built to shape lines. The Captain’s Raptor was built to end arguments.
From the beginning, this release has been about one thing: giving athletes an ultra-reliable, overstable disc they can trust. The Captain’s Raptor is a modified, overstable take on the Raptor, inspired by Team Discraft Co-Captain Paul Ulibarri, and designed to deliver that “grab it and trust it” feeling on demand.
What Makes the 2026 Captain's Raptor Special?
The 2026 Captain’s Raptor takes everything players love about this annual release and turns the volume up, starting with the plastic blend. This year’s run comes in a Z Confetti blend, but not the kind you’re used to. Instead of the clear, subtle confetti look most people associate with our “confetti releases,” this is Z Confetti—meaning the color is mixed directly into the disc, creating a bolder, more vibrant look. It’s the first time we’ve run this Z Confetti style, and the result is a disc that pops even more in the hand and on the course.
That added color isn’t just for looks, it brings increased visibility, making it easier to track in flight and find on the course. Pair that with a slight flex in the blend, and you get a touch more grip and control without changing what the Captain’s Raptor is known for: reliable, confident overstability with the same dependable flight you expect from this staple release.
And for the finishing touch, this release features a fresh stamp “CapRap”—a new look that still represents the same trusted Captain’s Raptor performance players wait for every year.
Why the Raptor?
The standard Raptor already had a reputation as a reliable fairway driver. The Captain’s Raptor takes that DNA and turns it into a purpose-built weapon for:
Headwind control
High-torque forehands
Flex lines that must come back
Spike hyzers, skips, and placement shots
“Get out of jail” utility shots
Feature | Raptor | Captain's Raptor |
Speed | 9 | 9 |
Glide | 4 | 3 |
Turn | 0 | 1 |
Fade | 3 | 4 |
Stability | Stable | Extremely Overstable |
Best For: | Straight shots with controlled fade, reliable forehand flex shots | Extreme torque resistance, heavy wind conditions, forehand power players |
While the two discs remain in the same speed category, the Captain’s Raptor is engineered to be lower glide and more overstable. It is the option you reach for when you want maximum torque resistance and a more commanding finish.
Timeline - 2021 to Present
2021/2022 - The First Run Z Metallic Captain’s Raptor is the “statement piece” of the mold. It is crisp, fast, and unapologetically overstable. This run brings a firmer feel and is incredibly torque-resistant, providing confident wind performance. The Z Metallic blend also adds a touch more bite at the end of the flight, making it a go-to option when you want hyzers, forced flex lines, and a reliable skip on demand.
2022/2023 - The ESP Swirl Captain’s Raptor blends the mold’s trusted stability with a more “worked-in” hand feel right out of the box. Expect that familiar Captain’s Raptor torque resistance but with a softer grip that inspires confidence for forehands, cold-weather rounds, and touchy control shots. This run is ideal when you want the Captain’s Raptor to feel more connected in the hand.
2023/2024 - The Z FLX Jawbreaker Captain’s Raptor is built for players who want Captain’s Raptor reliability with a more playable, ground-friendly finish. The added flex and tackier feel help you commit to big throw, especially in wind or colder temps, while the FLX characteristics helps reduce big skips and hard flare-outs when you need the disc to finish and sit. It’s a great option for attacking angles where you still need a trustworthy fade but want more control over the landing behavior.
2024/2025 - The Z Swirl Captain’s Raptor delivers a premium, eye-catching run that keeps the disc true to its job: it handles power, resist turns, and finishes with authority. Paying homage to the 2020 Tour Series release, Z Swirl blend typically offers that classic “fast out of the hand” feel with consistent overstability that holds up to forehand torque and headwinds. If you want a Captain’s Raptor that feels clean, durable, and is consistent round after round, the Z Swirl is an easy grab.
2026/2027 - The Z Confetti Captain’s Raptor pairs the mold’s confident overstability with a key bonus: Z blend for better visibility. It’s still that Captain’s Raptor formula: torque resistant + predictable finish but with improved trackability in flight and an easier time finding it when the course gets messy. This is the Captain’s Raptor for players who want premium consistency and a competitive edge when conditions don’t cooperate.
Tradition for a Reason
Five iterations in, the Captain’s Raptor hasn’t drifted from its mission. It’s still the disc you bag for:
Forehands that must stick the landing
Headwinds that should not be negotiated with
Flex shots that need a guaranteed comeback
Placement golf when “safe” still needs teeth
The 2026 Z Confetti Captain’s Raptor doesn’t replace what came before—it collects the best parts of the journey: premium durability, standout visuals, better grip through subtle flex, and the same overstable authority that made the Captain’s Raptor a “once a year, don’t miss it” drop.