North 2021 Collection It Calls
The all new North 2021 Collections are here. We've spent the last twelve months designing a line-up that celebrates the categories of our sport with the release of collections for Big Air, Surf and Freeride. The collections have everything you’ve come to expect from North – designs that are refined, engineered and intuitive. Every detail comes together to give our riders all the feelings we chase - feeling at one, feeling lost, feeling everything and nothing all at once and most of all feeling that you just have to grab your board, your kite and go.
2020 has been a year that has awakened us all on a new level, reminding us to be grateful for what we have, for our freedoms and for the simplicity and beauty of nature. More than ever, we have learned the value of staying in the present moment and feeling connection.
To launch our 2021 Collection, North Kiteboarding captures the magnetic sensation of being at one with the elements and fully immersed in the moment in one simple expression - "It Calls."
Brand Director Mike Raper explains: “It Calls is all about the indescribable feeling that our sport gives us, the magic we chase. If you've ever not just seen the perfect conditions stirring – but you've heard them and felt them – then you too get this feeling. It's that seductive pull that happens when the water and wind call to us, and we can't help ourselves, we must drop everything and go.”
North Kiteboarding has a strong point of view on our sport and a passion for everything it gives us physically, emotionally and spiritually. In 2021, we look forward to sharing and celebrating this passion with fellow kiters through the different categories in our sport.
All new Big Air, Surf and Freeride collections are in store and available to demo at your local North Kiteboarding retailer now.
Even more Engineered. Refined. Intuitive.
Over the past twelve months, North's designers have focused on improving the durability and refining the ride of each product.
“We are excited about these small but essential refinements, as they make great even better,” says Mike.
The Navigator Control System is packed full of technology and is one of the key products to have undergone significant changes, many of which are not even visible. For 2021 Designer Hugh Pinfold has made over twenty improvements to this easy-to-use, top quality, control system.
Hugh, North’s Director of Design and Engineering, works remotely two hours down the west coast from Auckland in Raglan, New Zealand's surfing capital. Hugh’s design is inspired heavily by the time he spends in the elements and he has found Raglan an ideal place to focus on refining the Navigator Control System, while also putting it to the test at every available opportunity.
Two of the more apparent changes Hugh has incorporated for 2021 are the new omnidirectional grip pattern and the introduction of a smaller 38-43cm bar size. But perhaps less obvious are the myriad of smaller changes: for example new internal geometry on the bar centrepiece giving less resistance and wear; the cleat base has been modified to make kite loop bar spins easier, and we've added a swivel to the newly elongated leash pin ring on the, making connection quicker and easier. See the Navigator Control System
Lighter, more responsive kites.
Chief Kite Designer Pat Goodman has focused on improving the performance and feel of both the Orbit and Carve, introducing new lighter materials and new bridles. The Orbit continues to lead North's aspirational Big Air category and with the refinements from Pat, is expected to continue dominating the podium. Meet the Orbit
For the Reach, North has introduced a range of new sizes for 2021, including a 17m kite ideal for riding twintips in light wind. View Reach Kite
Pat’s home spot in Taiwan is the windiest place on planet earth and gets about 250 days a year of wind over 20 knots. It's very strong in winter and moderately strong in summer, so he has ideal conditions for testing. “I’m fortunate to have such a great team of riders to work with, especially Nick, Jesse, Marc Jacobs, and now Camille. You know what, I'm a competent rider, but I'm not a trickster, I don't do all the crazy stuff these guys do. The teamriders really put a kite to the test, so the kites must be stable and do as they are expected to in extreme manoeuvres,” says Pat.
Stronger, more responsive surfboards.
Board Designer Jaimie Scott commutes regularly to Auckland to collaborate with the North Product Development team. Based three hours north in Whananaki, home to some of the best east coast white sand beach breaks in New Zealand, Scott is constantly looking for ways to push himself whilst out in the ocean. He strongly believes that the more he’s challenged out on the water, the more his shaping evolves. For 2021 Scott has made considerable changes to the shape of the surfboards, and is continuing to progress the strapless freestyle boards, improving the durability and performance characteristics of each board so they can edge harder and give you an even more direct connection to the power of the wave. View the 2021 Surf Collection
ASTRA. An all new TwinTip board for lighter riders.
Often lighter-weight riders find it harder to control large, stiff boards designed for heavyweights. With this in mind, Uli Sommerlatt, Product Manager set out to craft a board with more responsive flex for riders with a smaller build - one that would deliver increased control in a range of conditions, greater comfort and softer landings - without sacrificing performance. The all new 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. Discover the Astra Light Rider
Mike is incredibly proud of the team behind the 2021 Collection.
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