2021 North Carve Kite

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Two-stage arc with direct pivot steering
  • NEW evolved drift
  • NEW improved top end performance

WHERE IT THRIVES

Big waves, small waves and anything in between

WHAT RIDERS SAY

"When I'm on a wave all I have to think about is smacking the lip." - Jesse Richman

Instant drift with a flick of the wrist

Powerful, reactive and controllable, the Carve provides instant drift with the flick of your wrist, allowing you to power on and off instantly, stay in the pocket for longer and out of the critical impact zone. Featuring a sensory pivot turn for control, and huge depower range, the Carve gives you the confidence to focus on surfing, in onshore to offshore, and anything in between, while strong surf-freestyle characteristics let you throw down strapless freestyle and perform lofty jumps with ease. Compared to the rest of our North range, the Carve sits further back in the wind window and enhances down the line drift, perfect for carving and tucking into a barrel. 3 x Kitesurf World Champion Jalou Langeree's kite of choice.

Two-stage arc with direct pivot steering

The Carve's responsive two-stage arc design enables tighter turns without excessive amounts of power. As the arc shape becomes narrower the kite uses less of its projected area, giving it a smaller turning radius for tighter turns, and less pull or power in turns.

NEW evolved drift

New bridling ensures you’re able to maintain the drift when you're sheeted in, the kite is responsive and goes down the line. But when it’s offshore or you're riding overpowered, there's now a lot more reaction from the kite when you sheet out.

NEW improved top end performance

Changes to the bridle have improved the top end wind range of the kite. We've traded a little from the bottom end for a considerable amount more top end depower, so you can experience bigger jumps with better hang time in stronger conditions.

Technology

KEVLAR REINFORCED STRUT SYSTEM WITH BRIDLE DEFLECTORS

For the most accurate and durable connection between the strut and the leading edge. Bridle deflectors on the leading edge prevent the control lines catching on the struts.

HYPERFLOW RAPID SINGLE-POINT INFLATION

High volume single point inflation system with larger diameter hose for rapid inflation and deflation. Bayonet style main inflation valve compatible with most pumps. No adapter needed.

TWO-STAGE ARC WITH DIRECT PIVOT STEERING

The Carve's responsive two-stage arc design enables tighter turns without excessive amounts of power. The two-stage arc allows the smooth curved efficient central region of the kite to produce power, while straighter wing tips provide a more dynamic steering response.

NEW LIGHTER SURF-TOUGH CONSTRUCTION

We've maintained the surf tough construction by replacing the dacron canopy panels with a NEW heavy duty lighter, stronger canopy reinforcement material. The reinforcement protects the lighter inner main canopy body and allows the kite to be more responsive in the steering and depower. This adds strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body and producing a durable kite that can hold its profile for increased performance and lift. Because the new fabric is more conforming to the inflated structure, it creates a smoother, cleaner entry on the profiles.

REFINED AERODYNAMIC PROFILE TRANSITION PANELS

The profile transition panels ensure that as the leading edge expands, tension from the elongation doesn't migrate into the canopy and a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible. This creates a smooth transition from the segmented leading edge to the curved canopy so the profiles are more uniform throughout the entire wing. The panels reduce inconsistencies in the profile, resulting in a smoother, more efficient kite, with more aerodynamic airflow, drive and stability.

FAST-LAUNCHING SWEPT LEADING EDGE DESIGN

Allows more area in the centre of the kite for efficiency and makes the kite easy to roll off the water during critical relaunch in the surf. The Carve is not swept in the trailing edge like a bow kite, but it has a lot of curvature when viewed from the side, and the wingtips are not particularly wide. This puts a lot of the usable area in the center of the kite, rather than in the wing tip. So even though the Carve is lower aspect, it is still efficient for its size, and more importantly, the relaunch is super-quick. With less leading edge on the water it doesn't lay flat, so for fast relaunch in most cases you don't have to pull the rear line, simply rotate the bar. This really helps if you're riding waves and need to relaunch your kite quickly when a set’s coming.

HIGH BUOYANCY LEADING EDGE DIAMETER

For a rigid, stable kite frame which requires less inflation pressure. The high volume of air in the leading edge ensures the kite stays on top of the white water, and is not easily crushed by the waves. The larger leading edge diameter intentionally produces more drag and helps the kite sit deeper in the pocket. It also allows us to thin out the actual profile in the canopy itself. With less curve through the main body of the canopy and a larger leading edge design, you end up with less canopy movement or deformation as you ride the kite at lower attack angles or sheeted out. The kite sits a little further back in the window, so that it will run with you as you steer towards it, rather than stop moving or flying forward and front stalling.

DURALITE SEAM PROTECTION

Lightweight reinforcement to protect from chafing and abrasion along the struts to the leading edge. Thin foam padding is inserted underneath to form a lightweight durable buffer which lifts the kite slightly off rough surfaces, and protects the stitching along the struts and leading edge seams.

PERSONALISED PERFORMANCE TUNING OPTIONS

Bar pressure and steering impulse can be adjusted on the wing tip, allowing you to fine tune the kite's characteristics to your personal preference.

PREMIUM TEIJIN D2 TECHNO FORCE CANOPY

D2 Ripstop Fabric by Teijin. Premium high-density canopy material made in Japan, using high tenacity polyester yarn for lightness, high tearing strength and endurance. Teijin Techno Force has the highest strength to weight ratio and longest durability in the industry.

KEVLAR REINFORCED STRUT SYSTEM WITH BRIDLE DEFLECTORS

For the most accurate and durable connection between the strut and the leading edge. Bridle deflectors on the leading edge prevent the control lines catching on the struts.

HYPERFLOW RAPID SINGLE-POINT INFLATION

High volume single point inflation system with larger diameter hose for rapid inflation and deflation. Bayonet style main inflation valve compatible with most pumps. No adapter needed.

TWO-STAGE ARC WITH DIRECT PIVOT STEERING

The Carve's responsive two-stage arc design enables tighter turns without excessive amounts of power. The two-stage arc allows the smooth curved efficient central region of the kite to produce power, while straighter wing tips provide a more dynamic steering response.

NEW LIGHTER SURF-TOUGH CONSTRUCTION

We've maintained the surf tough construction by replacing the dacron canopy panels with a NEW heavy duty lighter, stronger canopy reinforcement material. The reinforcement protects the lighter inner main canopy body and allows the kite to be more responsive in the steering and depower. This adds strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body and producing a durable kite that can hold its profile for increased performance and lift. Because the new fabric is more conforming to the inflated structure, it creates a smoother, cleaner entry on the profiles.

REFINED AERODYNAMIC PROFILE TRANSITION PANELS

The profile transition panels ensure that as the leading edge expands, tension from the elongation doesn't migrate into the canopy and a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible. This creates a smooth transition from the segmented leading edge to the curved canopy so the profiles are more uniform throughout the entire wing. The panels reduce inconsistencies in the profile, resulting in a smoother, more efficient kite, with more aerodynamic airflow, drive and stability.

FAST-LAUNCHING SWEPT LEADING EDGE DESIGN

Allows more area in the centre of the kite for efficiency and makes the kite easy to roll off the water during critical relaunch in the surf. The Carve is not swept in the trailing edge like a bow kite, but it has a lot of curvature when viewed from the side, and the wingtips are not particularly wide. This puts a lot of the usable area in the center of the kite, rather than in the wing tip. So even though the Carve is lower aspect, it is still efficient for its size, and more importantly, the relaunch is super-quick. With less leading edge on the water it doesn't lay flat, so for fast relaunch in most cases you don't have to pull the rear line, simply rotate the bar. This really helps if you're riding waves and need to relaunch your kite quickly when a set’s coming.

Kite Size

10m, 11m, 12m, 13m, 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9m

Brand

North

North Kiteboarding draws deep roots from North Sailing. The new North is not to be confused with Duotone who used to be branded as North.