In 2012, Rebel, Evo and Fuse will feature the new "Adaptive Tip". In recent years, there has been a trend leaning towards more reactive kites with even lighter sheeting forces than in the past. Such kites are really comfortable, lively for wave riding and offer more forgiving kite loops because they pivot around the wingtip. However, comparison tests have shown that our team riders and testers actually prefer kites with a harder bar feel because they offer better feedback, precise steering and more dynamic turning, which in turn creates more power.
The new "Adaptive Tip" allows users to easily change the sheeting force and turning performance through a simple back pigtail adjustment, allowing you to customize your kite to your desired style and feel.

Quality means a lot to North Kiteboarding. For this reason we have focused our efforts on the best quality management possible over the last few years. We expect lasting performance in a wide range of conditions from our kites. We expect to design kites that fulfill and surpass the wishes and demands of our customers. To ensure we can attain this goal, quality begins at the very first stages of kite manufacturing. We know that a product is always only as good as its weakest detail, which is the reason why all details in construction and production methods have been and continue to be analyzed and optimized over the years. We like to simply call this design and quality standard Progression Q.
In this ongoing process, we continuously work on improvements, but the basic idea remains the same: By standardizing details in construction and design across our entire range it has become possible to optimize production processes and to use materials more efficiently. The result is products that are all automatically at the same level of quality at any given time. Both of our kite designers work together closely so that each kite model in our range automatically benefits from every new idea or experience. Pro Q represents durability, timeless performance, and the highest possible quality control standards.

The fusion 10 is a completely new connection between the strut and leading edge. In contrast to normal connections, the forces are no longer supported by a webbing strap but by a flexible line. The line ensures a perfectly clean connection of strut to leading edge even with the smallest struts and offers our strongest strut connection ever. Just a little revolution in strut technology!

New ways in constructing Front – and Back Pigtails have been found by NKB. No more belt struts are used, but strongest dyneema lines. The advantage of the lines is the flexibility at the edge of the canopy, so they can flex in every single direction, not like stiff belt struts. Further more two layers of strongest Dacron are sewed on all Pigtails which ensures a perfect and flutter free load transmission.

D2 = DURABILITY x DYNAMIC

All 2011 North Kiteboarding Kites are now built using the highest quality Technoforce D² material. D² stands for Dynamic and Durability. Over the past years the North Kiteboarding R&D team has been experimenting with exclusive Technoforce D² material and developing it closely together with Teijin, the market leader in canopy materials. Multiple tests over the years have consistently produced the same results:
• Technoforce D² material offers a 40% higher breaking strength
• 70% higher tearing strength and also improved flying characteristics.
The main advantage of Technoforce D² is less broken kites due to way higher durability than other canopy materials – even after years of heavy use. One main reason for this is the unique coating system of the D² material. Each individual thread is first coated before being woven together and then completely coated again to produce the final material. This ensures that even if the outer coating is beginning to wear thin after years of heavy use and UV exposure, the individual threads are still protected and the material remains crisp and durable. Technoforce D² also features a unique double ripstop construction which significantly increases diagonal stiffness.
Because of the dynamic load transmissions placed on kites, stiffness has a massive influence on flying characteristics. Practical tests have shown better flying performance of kites with Technoforce D² compared to typical canopy cloth due to this higher diagonal stiffness. The stiffer structure of the entire kite geometry ensures that all kites feel more solid and crispy and react immediately on steering commands. Load transmissions working on 3 dimensional bodies are variable, besides warp and weft the stiffness has an massive influence on the flying characteristics. Due to the unique double ripstop construction, Technoforce D² offers a significant higher stiffness concerning diagonal stiffness then common clothing. This is the key to the stiffer structure of the whole kite geometry and this is the reason why all kites feels more solid, crispy and react immediately on steering commands.
From now on, all North Kiteboarding Kites are built with Technoforce D² material. There's simply no better choice of canopy material.

More powerful kite profiles means that the canopy has to carry higher loads resulting in a distorted profile and loss of efficiency. The Load Distribution Panels spread the load from the lines to a wider area keeping the profile smooth and distinct and allowing the kite to perform with maximum efficiency at all times.

The Control Attack Bridle always transfers the power evenly to the kite through the Force Mixer and permits controlled changes of the angle of attack. The bridles change the angle of attack as one unit, which results in increased efficiency.

In order to make the relaunch easier and to avoid any possible line tangling, we've added Relaunch Bungees at the kite tip. The bungees keep the lines lying slick against the inside of the leading edge, preventing any line from going over the top of the kite during the relaunch.

A necessary quality standard are the Aramid Reinforcements, added in highly exposed areas such as the Micro Batten pockets and the leading edge scuff pads. These reinforcements reduce wear from everyday use and increase the durability and life of your kite.

Our revolutionary and patent-pending Cam Battens are made of flexible nylon and improve the stability of the canopy and reduce the drag of the kite. The Cam Battens allow us to achieve a deeper profile and make the kites more powerful. The deeper canopy combined with a round entry profile gives better stall resistance, which yields not only better low end power but also better hang-time. Cam Battens also give the kite much better upwind abilities and very good stability in the sky.

The low-drag ribs require a high inflation pressure, thus all valves at the chambers of the Rhino06 are self-closing. Thanks to the worked-in drainage functionality, the air can be let out within a few seconds.

Low-drag, High-pressure Ribs: It's not true that all types and sizes of kite need to have as little aerodynamic drag as possible. However, we like to control drag by putting it where we want it and eliminating it where we don't want it. To the end of eliminating undesired drag we have created the lowest drag ribs available. From the low profi le and correct orientation of our seams to the small overall diameter and tiny, low-turbulence rib ends, the Rhino 04 ribs are designed to reduce undesirable skin friction and wake drag to a minimum. One might ask: but don't we need thick ribs for greater profi le stability? The answer is that rib thickness is necessary up to a certain point, but that going thicker doesn't increase profi le stability. Instead it increases weight and can reduce the necessary fl exibility that any kite needs in order to do things like steer quickly or adjust to changing winds. At the same time that we reduced rib diameter, we increased permissible infl ation pressure. The chance of ribs breaking under higher pressure isn't greater because the load on seams and cloth is proportional to the product of rib diameter and air pressure (rib diameter times air pressure). Thus, reducing diameter permits higher infl ation pressures without increasing loads.

Our Fusion Rib Joints not only ensure the kite's high rigidity and stability, but also help keep the entire canopy smooth and eliminate flat spots.

The tunable pigtails offer two different bar pressure settings. Low bar pressure means less force on your arms and increased turning abilities of the kite. Higher bar pressure gives you crisp and direct feedback from your kite.

At NKB we strive to make the most innovative, durable and user-friendly products on the market. It's often the smallest details that make a difference and for 2011 we took a even closer look at al existing production details and continued to improve them one by one after a great quality advantage in 2010. The result of our extensive construction overhaul is what we call PROGRESSION 11: A very detailed catalogue of product features that are simple yet highly effective for quality and performance. By simplifying the production process and standardizing single parts of products throughout our range, the construction process and the number of parts needed has been greatly optimized. For the first time ever computer supported sewing machines have been implemented, guaranteeing a perfect stitch that is durable and of the highest quality. Cloth cutting processes have also been optimized, allowing us to use more expensive and higher quality materials that are lighter and more durable. Even the seam construction diagram has been changed from the classic zigzag stitch to a stronger triple zigzag. All top are now stitched and glued. The list of improvements is long and peppered with completely new innovations like the Fusion 11 and the new pigtails. Before any product can leave the factory, it must pass all quality inspections and check points. Every production process is defined in the smallest detail and accurately logged, allowing us to achieve the highest level of quality control for every single product. With the sum of innovations, new materials, construction changes and quality control procedures, the standard of our products has risen to an entirely new level.

Construction details 2011
> Fusion 11_unique leading edge to strut connection
> Relaunch bungees
> North Pulley
> Easy Pump _inclusive custom North valves
> Glued Overlap Seam
> Dacron Trailing Edge
> Insignia Tape _highest stability
> New Pigtails _with Dacron reinforcements (doubled and converted cleanest)
> Leading Edge Seam Construction
> New Cam Batten ends with Monofilm
> 20mm Strut ends and Strut zipper _for easy bladder exchange
> Le Bridle Connection _extremely robust, sewed by computer-supported machines
> Triangular Canopy Reinforcements at the strut nose
> LE JOINT Patches _oval reinforcements in between LE segments
> TE Battens
> Triangular TE Patches
> Kevlar patches

In order to produce a lightweight and durable kite, North uses Technoforce T9 polyester ripstop for the canopy. This material does not absorb any water and is coated with UV-protection on both sides.

The combination of Re-launch Bungees and our new low profile batten pockets and thin strut ends helps prevent any lines from snagging anywhere on the kite during relaunch.
- Batten Pocket Construction
- Thin Rip Ends
- Relaunch Bungee

The Flat Delta Design maximizes the projected area. Additionally, the Control Attack Bridles distribute the power from the lines evenly over the entire leading edge. The FDD allows greater stability with narrower wing tips through less torsion of the tips.

One valve for inflating, one valve for deflating the whole kite.

The Leading Edge Bridles create the necessary stability for the Evo's consistent and direct handling.

The Evo can be flown with four or with five lines, the fifth line provides 100% depower and maximum safety even in high wind conditions.

Batten Pockets are built of sticky-back Insignia cloth lining the canopy surface where battens are located. This combines with heavy, abrasionresistant nylon fabric on surfaces that come between the batten and sources of abrasion damage, such as hard sand beaches. We've allowed a Rhino prototype to tumble in surf and white water for a time to test the construction. There was no damage to batten pockets or canopy.

These connectors prevent the number one cause of kite accidents by ensuring that front lines cannot be attached to the back of the kite and back lines cannot be attached to the front.

These loops attached to the inside of the wingtips make it easier to hold the kite for bodydrag rescue.

Dacron Leading Edges & Ribs: For all heavily stresses areas, North canopies are manufactured from top-quality 170g or 175g Dacron. This material is equipped with the best possible breaking strength characteristics with usual kite materials and, moreover, it will never delaminate.

The loaded 5th line is a "nose line" with constant tension. This is responsible for reactive steering, powered as well as depowered and a crisp and direct bar feel. Only the 5th line system can guarantee 100% depower in less than one second when releasing the IRON HEART .