In Focus: North Kiteboarding 2022 Big Air Collection
Features / Thu 16th Sep, 2021 @ 3:00 am
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IT’S HERE – North Kiteboarding just released their 2022 Big Air collection, and we’ve got pics and links right here!
What does it take to let go of fear? To commit to the unknown? At North, we believe the magnetic pull – for freedom, for letting go of yourself and merging with the power of the elements, for performance, for exhilaration – overcomes fear. This pull calls to us again and again. And we’ve responded in 2022 with bold new designs, engineered to harness the power of the elements.
Kites
The Orbit – Big Air | Freeride
King of the Big Air Kites
Committing to overpowered airs and megaloops in gusty conditions demands an unwavering trust in your kite. Our iconic premier 5-strut kite delivers incredible top-end control and allows you to hold down more power than any other kite per square metre. Big jumps. Big hang time. Big wind range. This kite was designed to rocket you upwind fast, with effortless steering, extreme boosting and hangtime guaranteed to take your breath away. Tested by nature, proven on the podium. The Orbit has your back when the rules of gravity don’t apply.
For 2022, we’ve made small refinements to the bridle, so the Orbit retains its light steering impulse, stability, high-end performance and kiteloop recovery. We’ve also further reduced the kite’s weight with new lighter weight bladders across more sizes, so the kite feels even lighter and more responsive in all conditions.
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Phenomenal loft and hangtime
The Orbit has a wide, flattened 2-stage arc supported by a reinforced exoskeleton frame, ensuring glide that is guaranteed to take your breath away. In addition, the Orbit makes the most use of its projected area, so it has the best hangtime and power delivery for its size.
Predictable in the Unpredictable
A high-performance big air kite is stable and consistent in a wide range of conditions, especially in the high end. The Orbit’s ability to fly forward and catch you in kiteloops allows you to ride the kite overpowered without it getting away from you. But at the same time, it’s like a racehorse – it wants to go. So you need…
Anti-gravity boosts and megaloops
Send it to extreme heights. The Orbit’s big footprint increases the sail area working for you, making the kite super-efficient with great power delivery.
For more information on North Kiteboarding 2022 Orbit, please click here.
Atmos Carbon – Big Air | Freeride
Gravity, we defy you.
A dynamic ride with powerful upwind, precise edge control, rapid response and explosive pop. Reach earth’s atmosphere with the Atmos Carbon, our premier high-performance Freeride board for mega-boosting, looping and controlled landings. Our skilled engineers have master-crafted Atmos Carbon, who have carefully positioned the full carbon laminate layup to provide balanced torsional stiffness and flex. The harmony created between outline, rocker and flex make this the ultimate all-terrain board. Designed to ride overpowered with ease and control, yet still enabling early planning and low-end performance.
Winner of the Highest Trick Score by Nick Jacobsen and the Biggest Air by Marc Jacobs at the 2020 Red Bull King of the Air.
Premium carbon performance
The refined carbon laminate layup delivers a dynamic and responsive high-performance ride. Thoughtfully selected and arranged combination of woven roving and biaxial carbon fibre fabrics and unidirectional reinforcements provides an extremely fast response when loaded, with greater torsional and longitudinal.
Precise, responsive edge control
Unrivalled edge control for powerful upwind tracking and Big Air boosts in even the most overpowered conditions. The harmonious equilibrium between rocker, outline and flex creates a board with quick response perfect for lining up that kicker, edging hard and boosting high.
Impact-absorbing single concave to quad channels
The contoured bottom shape absorbs impact by breaking the water surface tension and ensures stable and predictable landings.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Atmos Carbon, please click here.
Atmos Hybrid – Big Air | Freeride
Gravity, we challenge you.
Our most popular high-performance Freeride board for explosive boosting, looping and stable, predictable landings. The Atmos is powerful upwind with precise edge control. Strategically placed layers of unidirectional carbon tape in the hybrid construction helps deliver a well-balanced dynamic flex. Designed to ride overpowered with ease and control, yet still enabling early planning and low-end performance. The harmony between medium rocker, progressive outline and flex make this the ultimate all-terrain board to take you to the next level in all conditions. Edge harder and release into Earth’s atmosphere.
Precise edge control
Powerful upwind tracking, carving and Big Air sends.
Medium rocker with a balanced flex pattern
Allows for early planning and great low-end performance with rapid response & explosive pop.
Single concave to quad-channel tips
Absorbs impact by breaking the water surface tension and ensures stable and predictable landings.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Atmos Hybrid, please click here.
Trace – Freeride
First out, last in
Light wind? No problem. The all-new Trace has a progressive straight, square outline and large surface area for early planning and upwind performance in the lightest winds. A Centre-V Spine and longitudinal quad channels provide balanced torsional stiffness, superb traction and more control. The progressive medium-low rocker is ideal for flatwater. It also enables phenomenal pop for lightwind tricks and transitions and surprising manoeuvrability for its size. Pair the Trace with our Reach 13/15/17m to maximise your ride time in the lightest of winds.
Early planning and superior upwind performance
A combination of extra waterline length, a straighter, square outline, wide tips and a medium rocker guarantees early planning and upwind performance in the lightest wind.
Centre V-Spine and longitudinal quad channels
Quad concave channels with V-spine in the middle provide added stiffness and help to deflect the water, thus creating less drag and less resistance across the board’s surface. The channels and V-spine also help with upwind traction and high-speed control.
Phenomenal pop for lightwind tricks and transitions
The progressive medium-low rocker is flatter in the centre then pulls up towards the tips. This rocker line is ideal for flat water, and it creates a board with phenomenal pop that is surprisingly manoeuvrable and easy turning despite its size.
Pair with the 13/15/17 m Reach Kite
For quick, responsive steering and a predictable, consistent drive forward for TwinTip riding in even the lightest wind.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Trace, please click here.
Astra – Big Air | Freeride
Light Rider
We love the saying; dynamite comes in small packages. Playful yet powerful, the Astra is a bold all-terrain addition to our new-school Freeride quiver. Lighter weight riders often find it harder to control large, stiff boards designed for heavyweights.
With this in mind, we set out to create a board with more responsive flex for lighter weight or smaller build riders – one that would deliver increased control in a range of conditions, greater comfort and softer landings without sacrificing performance. Astra’s smaller board length, narrower stance and basalt technology construction provides riders of all levels just the right amount of flex for controlled edging, boosts and loops. Its consistent, dependable rail grip gives you extra confidence to push boundaries as you load up for massive jumps. With its super-efficient bottom shape and rocker, the board feels fast through the water and flies upwind. The medium flex is dense enough to deliver clean and powerful pop yet soft enough to be forgiving on knees and legs on harder landings. Sending it was never this easy.
Optimised for lighter weight riders
The optimised laminate layup is crafted for lighter weight riders with a responsive flex pattern for explosive pop, softer landings, and comfort in even the most aggressive chop.
Enhanced edge control
The phenomenal rail holds for easy upwind tracking and confidence-boosting due to the balanced harmony engineered between outline, rocker and flex.
Narrower stance
More precise foot positioning enables smaller riders to remain in control across every manoeuvre and landing. The Astra has a 20mm narrower stance in all sizes compared to the Atmos.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Astra, please click here.
North Flex
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Strap in for the ride of your life
Our Flex Bindings are engineered for connection, comfort, and performance, give you a locked-in feel and solid support. Extremely soft KnitFlex straps are fully adjustable, conforming to your whole foot with no stitching or bunching. Triple-density rubberized EVA footbeds provide lightweight cushioning and maintain grip underfoot when wet. Super quick three-point connection setup ensures a customised fit, and split inner velcro straps ensure maximum comfort for all foot shapes, sizes and rider styles. In 2022 we’ve further refined the Flex Bindings to provide an even more secure comfort-fit with increased lateral support.
Quick setup and perfect fit for all sizes
Our fully re-engineered top flap gives a stronghold without compromising strap flexibility. The Flex Adjusters allow comfortable foot positioning, a secure feel and use of the toe bar. The rear eyelets have an outward kick to ensure your foot never comes in contact with the edge of the eyelet on hard landings.
KnitFlex seamless comfort and support
Our unique seamless KnitFlex inners are engineered for topside comfort and support. The Knitflex fabric is pre-tensioned and laminated to the conforming foam inner so that it can create a 3D curve without any bunching or creasing, and there’s no inner stitching to rub on your foot.
NEW Impact-resistant triple-density GripFlex footbeds
Lightweight, rubberised EVA provides soft cushioning and maintains grip underfoot when wet, while the finer grip pattern helps keep your foot locked in at various angles. In addition, the steeper ramped toe bar prevents your foot from slipping out during high rotation tricks.
Precision split-velcro straps
Injection velcro decreases sand retention, and extended top flaps increase hold and reduce water lift.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Flex bindings, please click here.
North Navigator 2022
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Think Less, Feel More
Switch effortlessly between disciplines with the Toolless Interloop; our no-tools required a modular harness loop replacement system. The Navigator Control System connects you intuitively to your kite, using industry-leading SK99 Dyneema lines from Liros for precise performance. The 2022 Connect Quick Release and leash now complies with ISO Standard 21853:2020. Faster, safer release and intuitive single-action reload in all conditions. Available in three sizes, the refined ergonomic design offers durability, comfort and tactile control. Knowing your kite’s position just became second nature.
Switch effortlessly between disciplines – no tools required.
Push, twist, pull, lock and go. The Toolless InterLoops are made from optimised TPU material for flex and durability, with a more rigid freeride security finger to prevent unexpected unhooking.
Intuitive single-action reload
Security and performance in all conditions. Our patented and ISO-approved Connect Quick Release (QR) raises the bar in kite control system safety.
Uncompromised direct performance
Our industry-leading 100% Dyneema SK99 flying lines are strong, thinner profile and pre-stretched for less parasitic drag and uncompromised direct performance. With 88m of flying lines in the air, you can feel the difference thinner line creates.
Fine-tune the turning speed of your kite
The Navigator is available in three adjustable bar length sizes: 38-43cm, 40-45cm and 45-50cm.
For more information on North Kiteboarding Navigator, please click here.
Brand Director Mike Raper is excited by the new range
“At North, we are all inspired by the power of the elements, and how when you work with each element, rather than resist it, it takes your performance and experience to a whole other level,” he says.
“Our 2022 Range draws inspiration from the unbreakable bond between the elements and our tribe, and while we continue to be led by nature, this year we’ve really pushed the envelope with technology and performance. I’m proud of the relentless evolution and incremental improvements we’re seeing across the range. And I’m also excited to see how our team rider feedback loop has become such an integral part of the design process.”
To view more North Kiteboarding products, please click here.
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
