What goes into creating the Click Bar?

The Click Bar took the industry by storm as the world’s first one-touch depower system. The prototype process encouraged wild ideas and visualizing solutions, bringing the future of control to life at the flick of a switch.

The result was perfect synergy between tech and safety, as well as a groundbreaking moment for the brand and a positive look to the future of the sport.

Kitemag review the North Jaime

The Jaime is a legendary board and arguably the first twin tip in the ‘new construction’ to get traction in the mainstream market back in the early 2000's. In those early days it introduced a whole new world of pop, performance and durability to the market and blew minds the world over.

The fact that North still have it in the range and that it continues to have that ‘all round performance’ ethos says a lot about its heritage. It is also one of their best sellers.

Kiteboarder review the Manera Union Harness

Four years ago Manera released the Exo harness to the market. Working with a human kinetic science lab, Manera developed the Energy Dispersion Frame, a technology that disperses the pressure of the kite around the entire harness and eliminates pressure points, fatique and pain, and allows the rider a more comfortable and longer ride.

From the front, both the Union and EXO harnesses look similar and both feature Manera’s spreader bar system: appropriately sized spreader bars for each harness size to reduce warping and lateral contraction along the sides of the harness.

Kitemag review the North Dice

The Dice has carved itself out a nice little niche in the market. Putting itself firmly in both the wave and the freestyle camps and refusing to say it is one more than the other seems to have worked well for it. It could be seen as a risky tactic as if it doesn’t perform well in either department then it’s essentially not met its expectations.

Looking at it objectively you would say it seems like more of a ‘performance freestyle’ kite, but then you see the likes of Matchu shredding in the surf and it is clear that it has plenty of credit here too.

Kitemag review the Slingshot SST

The Slingshot SST is now into its third year as the dedicated surf kite in the Slingshot line up.

As you would expect from Slingshot the SST is well constructed, and very much geared for waves with a straight forward short 4-point bridle, no pullies and the IRS bridle which works very well in sucking up gusts.

Kitemag review the Airush Union

For the third version of the Union – which has proved to be a popular addition to the Airush range over the last couple of years – the kite has received a pretty serious visit from the design department.

Most evident is the Aspect Ratio which has increased, and the tips are also noticeably rounder. First impressions in terms of construction were that the build quality and attention to detail are excellent.

Kiteboarder review the Ozone Reo

The Reo is one of those kites that scores well against a broad range of criteria and makes it easy or hard to choose just one, depending on how you look at it.

The Reo is 3-strut medium aspect SLE kite with slight pullback in the wingtips. Featuring a single setting front bridle with no pulleys, the Reo offers two settings on the wingtip for adjusting turning speed and bar pressure.

Kiteboarder review the Cabrinha Switchblade

The Cabrinha Switchblade is a super fun and lively 5-strut SLE kite that remains user-friendly and predictable in the blistering high winds of Waddell Creek.

As a medium aspect canopy with swept back wingtips the Switchblade features a single setting front bridle with one pulley and two wingtip settings that adjust between direct/lighter steering impulse and longer/shorter depower travel.

Kiteboarder review the Core XR-5

The Core XR5 is a well-heeled cruising animal that delivers excellent range and easy upwind ability. The XR5 is one of the few 5-strut kites in our high wind test this year and utilizes a delta-shaped canopy with pulled back wingtips.

The XR5 offers three settings on the front bridle with three pulleys (per side) and three settings on the wingtip to adjust between what Core calls a “medium” to “super easy” setting.

Kitemag review the Core Fusion 3

The Core Fusion 3 has just been released by CORE and pitches itself as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of kiteboards. It is an all-round board designed to be used in ‘real world’ conditions.

For V3, CORE have succeeded in trimming a few ounces from the Fusion with the Paulownia wood core extending closer to the edge – the main reason for the weight reduction. Aside from this, the bottom shape has been remodeled with new channels, a deeper rocker and wider tips than V2.

Kiteworld Magazine review the Naish Boxer

The Naish actively turns into a corner, like a racing driver, and continues to drive, even if the lines go a little loose. So the relationship between kite and rider feels more natural and very intuitive, so you can really focus on your board.

The Boxer is pivotal, but crucially it’s pivotal with drive and that’s exactly what you want for freeride foiling in light winds.  That feeling is apparent as soon as you put it up. Nice, boxy wing-tips which look responsive.

North EVO Flight Test

Charlie Railton reports on the North EVO 09!

North took the new EVO 09 to this year’s dealer meeting in Tarifa where I got to give it a spin. I got out on the 10m and the 12m over two days. Winds were gusty and varied in strength.

Nobile 666 NHP Flight Test

After a flight test with the new Nobile 666 HP - Jon Oakley tells us his thoughts!

It was Tuesday afternoon and things were looking up.

I had the rest of the week off and the wind gods were with me.

North Vegas Test

After a flight test in South Africa with the new North Vegas 08 - Charlie Railton tells us his thoughts on North Kiteboarding's latest SLE!

Taking the new Vegas to South Africa was an absolute treat. The trip was made in January which is their summer and the time of year when some of the world top riders head to Cape Town to abuse some of the best conditions in the world.

Peter Lynn Synergy Flight Test

Last weekend we managed to take a test flight of the 15m Peter Lynn Synergy in 10-12 knots. 

Initial thoughts as soon as you get going on this kite is it feels like a Venom II - but it's only when you start turning and jumping the Synergy that you realise you have something different!

North Rhino Flight Test

After a flight test with the new North Rhino 07 - Charlie Railton tells us his thoughts on their latest SLE!

At long last the new rhino has arrived! In my opinion North have really kept the characteristics of the 05/06 Rhino but added lots of depower. This kite is really going to appeal to those who want the characteristics of a classic style kite along with huge depower.

Snow Kiting with the Ozone Manta

After a week away Snowkiting - Powerkiteshop Team Rider Sly Jennings gives us his thoughts on the Ozone Manta.

In the lighter winds the Manta impressed everyone on the mountain.

Ozone Instinct Sport and Edge Flight Test

After a flight test with the new Ozone Instinct Edge and Sport we got to grips with the new Ozone kites from 2007!

Despite the light winds the 13m Edge got my muscular (pie-sized) frame up and riding and staying upwind while other riders were on 16 and 18m kites.

BEST Waroo Pro Flight Test

After another very windy flight test with the new BEST Waroo Pro - Kitesurf Instructor Colin Phillips tells us his initial thoughts!

Despite the windy conditions - we headed out on the BEST Waroo Pro with a tentative hand on the safety leash, the kite was launched and coped well with the sometimes 20knot gusts! 

Peter Lynn Vortex Flight Test

After a very windy day at one of our favourite beaches we managed to take a flight test with the new Peter Lynn Vortex!

This kite is really good even in the gusty conditions I had today. It turned really quick and as with all other Peter Lynn ARC style kites it doesn't want to overfly! Good de-power range with this kite - even with the wind reaching 25knots I was still able to stay upwind on my board.

Flexifoil Strike 2 (II) Flight Test

After another very windy flight test with the new Flexifoil Strike 2 we got to grips with the new and improved version for 2005!

OK it was blowing 30 knots and I know that in those winds even a plastic carrier bag will fly fairly well, but the difference was noticed in that walking to the water with the kite overhead and no handling input from me it just sat there and didnt twitch about the sky ..I was fully depowered and being lofted and yet the Strike 2 just sat there!

Flexifoil Storm III Flight Test

After another very windy test flight with the new Flexifoil Storm III we have found out why Aaron Hadlow is currently leading the PKRA rankings!

The first thing you notice about this kite is the amazing speed of the turn rate - it caught me out when redirecting the kite after a jump - with a quick flick of the bar the kite is where you want it and is powered up ready and waiting. You've all probably gone for a turn and slowed down a bit having to work the kite to get going again, but with the STORM III - the powers almost there all the time on demand no waiting for the kite to get pick up speed.

Peter Lynn Guerilla II Flight Test

After a variable wind weekend - a flight test with the new Peter Lynn Guerilla II showed us how versatile this kite was with us managing to use it for kitesurfing, buggying and kitelandboarding!

This kite is really good in the gusty conditions we had today, but despite this turns very quick for its size and compared to other depowerable foil kites on the day turns quicker but doesn't accelerate quite as quick with no luffing. Improvements on it's predecessor also includes personalised bar pressure that can be obtained by using the two different attachment points on the wingtips. 

Flexifoil Strike Flight Test

After another very windy weekend - a flight test with the new Flexifoil Strike showed us what everyone in South Africa is talking about!

First Encounters with the Ozone Frenzy

After a very windy weekend - a flight test with the new Ozone Frenzy proved to us what all the hype is about.

"Universal" - definitley!
"Safe" - absolutely!
"Big Airtime" - no queries on this one!