The new North Neo 2018 has arrived and we got few units!
The North Neo is the kite designed for those riders who carry a surfboard under their feet, being the most successful kite in the strapless world championship GKA. Thanks to its characteristics, its also an ideal kite for beginners and intermediate, that's why it is our kite of choice to our kitesurf courses in Tarifa.
There are a couple of changes common to all kites of the North range for this 2018. One of them is the fabric, for 2018 North has changed to Trinity, which changes its construction from 2x2 threads per square to 3x2 threads, making it more resistant and durable. Only by touching it you feel the difence!
The other change has been a change of the tubes of the one-pump system making them wider, so that the inflation and deflation of the kite becomes faster and easier.
The bridle system includes 2 settings on the leading edge from which you can adjust to have a more wave-oriented or freeride kite. By switching between settings, you can choose to have more depower, better drifting or greater jumping ability.
In the rear pigtails, we find the classic options of North kites, a setting with lower bar pressure makes the kite faster and more reactive and another setting where the bar has more pressure and makes the kite turn deeper in the window and a little slower.
The North Neo is built with a Dacron outline. Trailing edge, tips and leading edge is connected by a strip of dacron. All this together with the fabric makes the construction of the kite very compact and resistant.
We tried the new North Neo 2018 in 5-7-9m with the Click bar 2018 in 22m.
The first thing you feel from this kite, year after year, is its power and ease of use. The kite is very powerful and that is why it is always recommended to buy 1 or 2 meters less than what you are accustomed, especially if you go with surfboard.
The kite develops the power progressively and its low range is very good, being correct at the up range. The sensation in the bar is of being a very reactive and direct kite. Its re-launch is easy, simple and fast.
When we compare both kites, there are no apparent changes in construction or feel when flying. Sometimes it has given us the feeling that it can be a bit more powerful, but it is practically imperceptible. The kiters who come from the Neo of previous years, are going to find almost the same kite, which is very good news.
To kiters coming from other kites, they will find probably the best wave oriented kite from the market.
If we have to summarize, the Neo continues to maintain its main characteristics that are a lot of power, very good feeling in the bar, easy relaunch and above all, a very compact kite.
If you already use a wave board or are thinking on it, then the Neo should be your kite. Its ease of use and re-launch added to the very good wind range make the North Neo 2018 the best choice to surf and beginners, which is why in Kite Fun Tarifa we use it to give our kitesurf courses in Tarifa .
Remember, if you are looking for second hand North kites or equipment you have our website with some good deals!!
Carla and Rodri, combined experience flying kites of more than 30 years. And a Kitesurf World Championship...🔥