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17 May 2024
Hugh Pinfold and Navigator Pro interview
As seen in the latest KiteMag Issue #56
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29 April 2024
North Navigator Pro | Feat. Hugh Pinfold and Brent Tucker.
Director of design and engineering Hugh Pinfold and Product Manager Brent Tucker sit down with Adrian Kerr from Kitesurf365 to take a deep dive into the new pro version of the Navigator.
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12 April 2024
The Innovators - North’s New Shiftlock System
As seen in the latest the Foiling Magazine - We spoke with North Foils’ Director of Design & Engineering, Hugh Pinfold, and Jeroen Hammer, Design Engineer at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, to talk about the development of North’s new ShiftLock system, integrated into their new wing handle designs. We also couldn’t resist a little check in with North Foils’ Product Manager Uli Sommerlatt on the new North Nova Pro wing, upon which you’ll find the new ShiftLock system.
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28 March 2024
Tune in! Nova Pro & ShiftLock on The Wing Life Podcast
North Foils brand director Mike Raper, and director of design and engineering Hugh Pinfold catch up with Luc Moore on the latest Wing Life Podcast - talking about the new Nova Pro and ShiftLock Modular Track Mounting System.
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24 November 2022
Jesse's Orbit Tuning Tips
Jesse Richman shows you how to set up the King of Big Air kites, the Orbit 2023. "Big Air sessions can be crazy and exciting, so it is about being mentally and physically prepared. Spending time learning the equipment is essential to boost confidence in any condition. The more you send the kite, the better you’ll feel.
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12 October 2022
Designer Notes | North HA Wings and Sonar Stabilizers 2023
Important update: This update improves speed, and performance and is recommended for experienced riders. Your Sonar Foil System is future-proofed and ready for an upgrade when you’re ready.
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27 September 2022
Designer Notes : Flex LX 2023
Head of Engineering, Hugh Pinfold introduces the technology, features and benefits of the 2023 Flex LX. The all-new 2023 Flex LX have a sense of luxury that speaks to the perfect balance between performance and design. Engineered to help absorb and disperse impact after gravity-defying boosts, with triple-density dynamic support technology to protect your heels and guarantee softer landings.
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24 September 2022
Designer Notes : Atmos Carbon 2023
North Product Manager Uli Sommerlatt and Head of Engineering, Hugh Pinfold introduce the technology, features and benefits of the 2023 Atmos Carbon. 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.
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24 September 2022
Designer Notes : Atmos Hybrid 2023
North Product Manager Uli Sommerlatt and Head of Engineering, Hugh Pinfold introduce the technology, features and benefits of the 2023 Atmos Hybrid. Our most popular high-performance freeride board for explosive boosting, looping and stable, predictable landings.The Atmos is powerful upwind with precise edge control. For 2023 all North TwinTips feature the new FlipTech Mounting System, with centreline inserts for added rail longevity.
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20 September 2022
Designer Notes | North N-Weave 2023
N-Weave is North's own High Tensile Strength Woven Fibre, used in the new Mode High Speed Performance Wing strut and leading edge for reduced structural deflection and highly efficient power delivery.
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20 September 2022
Designer Notes | Mode 2023
For high-speed performance, efficiency is key. The Mode, our new high-speed performance wing, incorporates N-Weave woven fiber technology, 3x stiffer and 40% lighter than traditional leading-edge materials, for the most efficient power delivery on the market
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15 September 2022
Designer Notes : Orbit 2023
For 2023 the Orbit feels even more responsive in all conditions. We've made small structural refinements to smooth out the canopy, optimizing the profile for less drag, faster forward speed and smoother turning. Without changing the DNA of the kite, we've engineered it to feel smoother, lighter, faster, and even more predictable in the unpredictable.
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02 September 2022
The Kite Mag : North Introduce the Code Zero
"The Code Zero is a highly efficient kite with a wide wind range and impressive power delivery for a one- strut kite – which means you can ride lighter wind conditions with a smaller kite. With the 3, 5, and 7m, you’ll cover the whole wind range, from 10 to 30 knots." - The Kite Mag
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22 August 2022
Designer Notes : Surfboards 2023
North Surfboard Designer Jaimie Scott introduces what's new for 2023. Surf.It Calls.
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22 August 2022
Designer Notes : Carve 2023
North Kite Designer Dano See and Brand Director Mike Raper introduce the features and benefits of the 2023 Carve. For 2023, we've put the Carve back into its wave riding category. Refined bridling for a longer, more progressive travel means the kite feels smoother and more responsive throughout the full depower range. Carve 2023. The chase is on.
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22 August 2022
Carve '23 Surf / Strapless Freestyle Kite.
For 2023, we've put the Carve back into its wave riding category. Refined bridling for a longer, more progressive travel means the kite feels smoother and more responsive throughout the full depower range.
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22 August 2022
Designer Notes : Nova Light Wind 2023
North Wing Designer Dano See and Brand Director Mike Raper introduce the features and benefits of the all-new light wind edition of the Nova, a must for every quiver!
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22 August 2022
All-new Nova Light Wind. Six to sixteen knots.
Designed to grab and go. The Nova Light Wind is optimized for maximal low-end capacity. A deep profile and stiff frame enable the most efficient power delivery per m2.
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22 August 2022
The All-New Nova Light Wind
Waiting for wind? The all-new Nova Light Wind has the power to unlock borderline sessions, lift you up instantly in the lightest wind and keep you on the foil for longer.
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09 August 2022
All-new Code Zero. Your essential.
Balance is essential. In life and in engineering, we strive for equilibrium - the equal action of opposing forces. Stable and evenly tensioned, with a balanced geometry, the all-new Code Zero won't luff, over-fly or front stall. Pull the bar in, the Code Zero goes back in the window and drifts. Push the bar away, and the kite flies forward and is very fast. Code Zero. Your essential.
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08 August 2022
Designer Notes : Code Zero 2023
North Brand Director Mike Raper introduces Kite Designer Pepijn Smit, to unveil the new Code-Zero Performance Foil Kite, its features and benefits. Borrowed from our North Sailing heritage, Code Zero is the name of a sail born to go fast in light, shifty conditions. Like it's namesake, we've engineered this kite for performance in very light air.
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08 August 2022
The all-new Code Zero Foil Kite
Borrowed from the North sailing heritage, Code Zero is the name of a sail born to go fast in light, shifty conditions. Like its namesake, North has engineered this kite for performance in very light air.
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22 July 2022
Never lose a bolt or screw with the North Foils DropBox
Attaching the Sonar Foil System to your Foil Board is fast and simple. You never have to lose a bolt or screw, and you can easily adjust your mast position.Introducing the North Foils DropBox.
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15 July 2022
The all-new North Nova Wing handles
Balanced and reactive, the new Nova Wing feels lighter in your hands.
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19 May 2022
Matt Nuzzo Reviews : '22 North Seek & MA Foil
Matt Nuzzo & Designer Hugh Pinfold Review the '22 North Seek & MA Foil. "The silver bullet for someone my size, if you only had one foil. You could surf it, wake foil it, Kite foil it, and you can wing it, can do everything." - Matt Nuzzo, on the 1200 MA foil.
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06 February 2022
North Seek Foil Board Review by Surfdeal
"Feels direct and safe under foot with a quick lift-off. Elevated EVA ridge over the length gives an excellent centre-line feeling. The 97L feels enough to use the board anywhere." - Surfdeal
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27 July 2021
Introducing our new patent-pending Sonar Reflexed Technology
Run the water. Fly the water. Be the Water. Our new Sonar 1500R Front Wing taps into some kung-fu voodoo hydrofoil design technology for unsurpassed stability, speed and manoeuvrability.Join North foil designer George Hradil to find out more. Learn more about the Sonar 1500R Front Wing here
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20 July 2021
Bar pressure and steering impulse tuning tips
How do you fly? High or low?The attachment points on the wingtip of your kite let you adjust the steering impulse and bar pressure. We deliver each kite with the rear bridle line attached to what we feel is the optimal setting — light enough to be friendly and playful feeling, but at the same time, direct and with enough feedback for you to always know exactly where the kite is.But ultimately, which rear bridle attachment point to use is up to you. WHAT IS STEERING IMPULSE? Steering impulse is the responsiveness of the kite - how quickly it reacts when you provide input into the bar. Faster, more responsive kites are essential for wave riding and kite loops. WHAT IS BAR PRESSURE? Bar pressure is the amount of force needed to keep the kite at a certain angle of attack when kiting, or the force needed to turn the kite. It is determined by how much power is transmitted through the steering lines. Lighter bar pressure means less force is needed. With higher bar pressure you can feel the kite more. You can adjust your kite’s bar pressure and steering impulse to your personal preference using the different wingtip tuning attachment options. The North Orbit, Reach and Pulse kites cover the full adjustment range with just two attachment points. On these kites, the attachment points are A and C. REAR SETTING: LIGHT BAR PRESSURE / LOWER STEERING IMPULSE Attaching your rear line to the rear attachment point (A) allows for light bar pressure and lower steering impulse. When the lines are attached closer to the wing tip the kite will have a lighter, more forgiving feeling, more depower travel and require less effort to fly. The stock setting on the Orbit is the most rearward setting on the wingtip, which gives you the lightest steering impulse and a medium and controllable amount of depower travel on the bar. FORWARD SETTING: MAX BAR PRESSURE / MAX STEERING IMPULSE Attaching your rear line to the front attachment point (C) allows for maximum bar pressure and steering impulse. When the lines are attached to the forward setting, you’ll experience a firmer, more direct steering, shorter depower travel and higher bar pressure. If you wish to increase the sensitivity of the depower, then move to the forward setting. This will give you increased depower but at the expense of more force required in the steering impulse. It gives the kite a more sporty feel. MIDDLE SETTING (CARVE ONLY): LIGHT BAR PRESSURE / MODERATE IMPULSE Attachment to the middle attachment point (B) allows for a lighter bar pressure and moderate steering impulse. The Carve kite has three attachment points and the bridle lines come attached to the middle setting, for shorter bar travel and more controllable depower. While wave-riding you need the ability to depower on and off in a very short amount of travel. You don’t want, as you get powered up, for the bar to get further away from you as it could throw you off balance. A short, responsive depower gives the kite a much better behaviour when riding waves and gives you the ability to have fingertip control. Use a loop-to-loop connection to secure the rear attachment line to the attachment point on the kite.
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03 May 2021
Have your flying lines shrunk?
Has your kite been flying backwards lately?When was the last time you checked your flying lines?Hugh Pinfold, Director of Engineering at North Kiteboarding, runs us through the Navigator Control System line tuning process. In normal use, when you sheet your kite right in, if your kite has a tendency to backstall or fly backwards, your rear lines may have shrunk. You can pull the trim handle in a little to correct – but if you’re needing to do this, it’s time to check your lines. The Navigator Control System is kitted out with strong, thinner profile, pre-stretched flying lines for less parasitic drag and uncompromised direct performance. The lines are made of the latest technology high-load LIROS DC-401 Pro Dyneema, with extreme stretch resistance and minimal diameter. With 88m of flying lines in the air you can really feel the difference thinner line creates – it’s a far more direct feel, with far less drag. Rider: Tom Bridge. Photo: Ydwer van der Heide. But even the highest quality flying lines can shrink over time. All lines shrink – it's just the nature of having a braided line. As the coating wears off, sand, grit and salt crystals can enter the weave, altering its orientation, and causing shrinkage. The lines will also shrink unevenly because there is always more tension on your front lines. Over time, your rear lines (steering lines) will often end up shorter than your front lines. Uneven line lengths can affect the angle of your kite and its flying characteristics. Rider: Marc Jacobs. Photo: Georgia Schofield. How can you minimise shrinking? 1. Always rinse your lines in fresh water after use. 2. Check your lines while they are clean. 3. Fully tension the rear lines by laying into the lines with your body weight, this will help the weave to realign. After about a month of use, we recommend you check all your lines are even. If any of the lines are not equal in length it will affect your kite’s flying characteristics. It’s easy and takes only a minute to adjust your lines. Watch Hugh’s video to find out how👆. Mind the Gap. Unlike other bars where the spinning handle is designed to sit flush with the bar, the Navigator factory setting allows a 2cm gap between the bar and the top spinning handle. We’ve done this primarily because in production there is always going to be some kind of tolerance. If the rear lines are longer than the front lines, then your kite will not handle well. The kite will be undersheeted, so when you pull on the bar the kite won’t turn, and you’ll lose control of steering your kite. We’d far rather the kite has slightly longer front lines because oversheeting (when the front lines are longer) is easily remedied by pulling on some trim. If the gap between the bar and spinning handle is larger than 2cm when you pull the bar in, your kites might be a little oversheeted - an easy fix. Rider: Jesse Richman. Photo: Ydwer Van der Heide. To check your lines: 1. Rinse your lines in fresh water. Lay out the lines from the Control System and separate them. 2. Fasten the line ends to a rope or a strong line, attach to a stable object such as a tree. Note: Ensure you fasten to the line ends. Fastening to the pigtails can result in less accuracy. 3. Ensure the trim handle is fully open (i.e. the trim handle is touching the cleat) 4. Take the bar and pull the lines until tight – be sure to put an even load through both the front lines and the rear lines. When the lines are fully tensioned, the top of the spinning handle should be approximately 2cm away from the bottom of the bar, and all lines should be exactly the same length. If the distance between the spinning handle and the bar is more than 2cm you’ll need to adjust your lines. To correct uneven lines: Follow steps 1-4 👆 to check your lines, then: 5. Try loading the shorter line more to stretch. Lay your body weight into it. 6. If the lines are still uneven: remove the bar width inserts and pull the lines out. 7. Loosen the larks head knot, and pull it down to the lower knot as required. 8. Repeat on the other side. 9. Load all lines again to check they are even and there is a 2cm gap. Ensure you fasten the line ends – not the pigtails. Fastening to the pigtails can result in less line-length accuracy. The Navigator factory setting allows a 2cm gap between the bar and the top of the spinning handle. If the gap is larger than 2cm, your kite might be a little oversheeted, which can cause it to fly backwards when you pull the bar right in. To correct uneven lines, remove the bar width inserts and pull the line out, loosen the larks head knot, and pull it down to the lower knot as required. CHECK OUT OUR NAVIGATOR BAR, LOOPS, LEASH AND LINE COLLECTION DOWNLOAD THE NAVIGATOR USER MANUAL
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21 April 2021
Futurelite Technology
We all know that surf kiteboards need to be stronger than regular surfboards. They need to absorb much harder impacts and higher loads more frequently than in surfing. But for the ultimate surf kiting experience, as riders we’re looking for the lightness and feel of a high-performance surfboard.So how do you craft a board that is strong enough to kitesurf, but not so stiff and overbuilt it doesn’t feel like a surfboard?North Surfboard Shaper Jaimie Scott takes us through the process. "A carbon innegra wireframe forms a structural skeleton to support the laminates, maximising strength without losing flex, and allowing the board to load and release power on demand for more drive and responsiveness," says Jaimie. "The unidirectional carbon fibre and innegra reinforcement is inserted into channels along the load bearing lines through the deck and bottom of the board, running under and attaching to the FCSII fin plugs and around the footstrap inserts on the deck and locking all fittings into the laminates and high-density foam inserts. "The carbon innegra Futurelite system stops below the nose of the board to allow for flex and has a dampening effect for a smooth comfortable feel incorporated into a responsive carbon epoxy board." As a veteran NZ surfer and shaper, Jaimie Scott draws on more than 30 years of board-building experience across a range of disciplines - surfboards, windsurfers, kiteboards, stand-up boards, foilboards and skimboards. “I learned to shape the old school way with a planer, but was an early innovator with profiling machines, chasing the accuracy required to refine designs in a more controlled way. CNC-shaping from computer files is now the norm and is a game-changer for progression of high-performance board design," says Jaimie. "Having experience with a wide range of craft has given me a complete understanding of form and flex, so we incorporate specific construction methods into each design to give required weight, flex, strength, response and feel, to match the fine-tuned shapes.” Jaimie Scott, North Surfboard Shaper. "The Futurelite carbon innegra wireframe ensures the board is strong enough to kitesurf, without losing the flex and feel. The resonance created by the wireframe within the board’s super-light shell gives a crisp feeling, with fantastic response.” This sentiment is echoed in reviews of the 2021 North Surfboard range: "North’s done an amazing job with their construction. In a world of surfboards and advanced constructions and kiteboards that have been made forever, North came up with a line of construction that just trumped everyone. " - MATT NUZZO, Real Watersports. The carbon fibre gives the board a lot more spring – it's more durable, stronger and has a longer memory than a wooden stringer. This means your board will spring back to shape a lot faster and maintain its integrity for longer. VIEW THE 2021 SURF COLLECTION
