North Kiteboarding Rebel 10m 2011
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Rebel is one of the most popular kites on the planet; it has a huge number of dedicated followers. The kite is aimed as a do it all machine, happy in the waves, boosting big airs, freestyle you name it the kite can do it. This year there are a few changes that are worthy of note. The centre strut “floats”, to allow the canopy profile to be shaped, as it should be rather than having to conform to the shape of the centre strut. The loaded 5th line design is back, this allows for increased depower with a shorted throw of the bar, perhaps the biggest change is the techno force canopy material. This super durable woven fibre cloth feels really tough when you unroll the kite for the first time. It is much more resistant to tearing than standard rip stop and should ensure you kite lasts even longer. The Rebel keeps the 5th line set up and there is no bridle on the kite at all.
The Bar
The 5th Element system from North has been at the top of it’s game for what seems like an eternity now. This year is no exception, the Trust bar features everything you need and nothing you don’t, making it one of the simplest, best put together systems on the market. The Iron Heart III is as solid as ever, easy to activate and very simple to put back together. The above the bar depower uses a simple cleat design as before and is really functional and there is also a sliding stopper should you need it.
On The Water
The Rebel 2011 has a certain urgency about it when you first launch it. It is eager to get to the edge of the window and delivers a smooth solid pull. Hitting the water in light winds the kite has a decent bottom end to it, whipping it around the window generates heaps of power and once up and riding you can relax the power strokes and let the kite do the work. The bar pressure is just about right to offer plenty of feedback without being too heavy on your arms. The turning speed is very quick and you can really get the kite to move through the air at quite a pace when you engage it. This makes it ideal for waveriding on those days when you are looking to generate some extra power from the kite. Last year we found you had to really fly the Rebel off the front lines to stop it stalling during the bottom turn. This year it flies a lot better and you don’t have to think so much when you are waveriding with it. Boosting and upwind ability are excellent and kitelooping is also a meaty affair. The kite is fast enough to get back to the top of the window yet it still delivers a solid pull. Last year the racers were riding the Rebel and that looks to be the case again this year. As you would expect at speed the kite is very stable and the short depower throw at the bar make the kite a dream to ride in gusty conditions.
For
Awesome construction, especially the techno fibre cloth. Fantastic all round performance with a 5th line, waves, big air, speed and freestyle are all achievable with the Rebel,
Against
If you don’t like 5th line set-ups then sadly there is no option for a 4-line set up with this kite. You’d be more suited to the Fuse.
Overall
The most popular kite on the market just got a little bit better, improved speed and flying characteristics means you can worry less about the kite and concentrate on your riding.
This review was in Issue 23 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit North KiteboardingRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater has been kitesurfing for over twenty years and has spent much of that time travelling the world in search of wind, waves, and stories. The founder and publishing editor of IKSURFMAG and Tonic Magazine, he has been involved in watersports media since the early days of kitesurfing and launched IKSURFMAG in 2006. A passionate waterman, he spends as much time as possible wingfoiling, prone foiling, kitesurfing in big waves, and exploring new ways to get on the water. When he’s not behind a keyboard, hosting The Kite Pod and The Foil Pod, or testing the latest equipment, you’ll usually find him chasing wind and swell somewhere around the coast or further afield. He’s also known as the hardest-working journo in the industry!
