In Focus: North Kiteboarding Twintip Boards 2018 Overview
Features / Mon 27th Nov, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
North Kiteboarding Twintips 2018
This year North Kiteboarding has produced an outstanding line of innovative boards that cover every kitesurfers riding level. From hard flex boards delivering explosive pop to medium and soft flex boards giving you a comfortable ride in all conditions.
Check out the lastest range of North Kiteboarding Boards 2018 and find the perfect board to suite your style!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbR5rCQ53cY
Team Series Hadlow
Competition Freestyle / Wakestyle
Five world titles, two King Of The Air titles and a trophy cabinet that’s got more bling than Jay-Z, Aaron Hadlow is one of the most accomplished kitesurfers on the planet. His board reflects everything he needs to compete at the very top level of the sport. It’s incredibly stiff for maximum pop and thanks to a new top mould and stringer has almost no reverse flex for the ultimate in controlled landings. The Slick Base is perfect for hitting obstacles, and the deep channels mean the board performs impeccably without any fins. For 2018 the board has a new bottom shape with wider channels for softer landings, and the tips have been softened to help absorb chop. The Hadlow TS is a competition winning board built for the multiple world champion that is also available to you; the sky is now the only limit!
- Hard flex
- Step double concave wide channel
- Slick base
- Premium performance construction
- North boots recommended
- Explosive pop due to robust biax carbon
- Minimum reverse flex ensures absolute control on landings
- Deeps channels give maximum grip
- Slick base for obstables
- Robust and durable
- In-line track system
Gambler
Wakestyle / Park Riding
The Gambler is a high-end park and wakestyle board aimed at the discerning rider who knows exactly what they want. The massive rocker on the Gambler gives the board loads of control, exactly what you need when landing technical tricks in the park. There are also deep channels in the base so you can easily ride the board without fins. It’s the board of choice for riders like Craig Cunningham and Noé Font on the Kite Park League World Tour. For 2018 the Gambler now has a smaller stance option, Carbon 30 fins and narrower channels to increase the durability on rails. If you demand the very best from your equipment for your wakestyle riding, the Gambler is right on the money.
- Hard flex
- Step double concave slick base narrow channel
- Biax fibre construction
- North boots recommended
- Huge rocker for optimum landing control
- Deep channels to ensure high-performance without fins
- Very robust and durable further enhanced by slick base for park riding
- Stiff flex for incredible pop
- In-line track system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHgi5AZ4cd4
Team Series
Competition Freestyle
The Team Series is our competition hungry freestyle board aimed at the riders looking to push their limits and stand on the top of the podium. For 2018 the bottom shape has been updated and the channels are now wider, which helps to soften the landings. There is also a new flex pattern with a stronger centre stringer section to reduce the reverse flex and further improve the control when landing powered tricks. The tips have been softened a little to help the board absorb chop and give a smoother ride and it now ships with our new Carbon 30 fins. The pop generated by this board is immense and it is also lighter than the TS Hadlow making it easier to manoeuvre in the air during your trick. If you have set your sights on being the best, you need the ultimate freestyle board to get you there. Join our team and get on-board the Team Series!
- Hard Flex
- Step Double Concave Wide Channel
- North boots recommended
- Explosive pop due to robust biax carbon
- Minimum reverse flex ensures absolute control on landings
- Deep channels give maximum grip
Jaime
Freestyle
There are many legends of this great sport, but there is only one Jaime Herraiz, for years his pro model board has been one of the most popular twin tips on the planet, for 2018 that legacy continues. Aimed at the rider who likes to ride both hooked and unhooked, the Jaime is packed with performance. The Quattro V Bottom ensures the landings are smooth and offers plenty of grip, the wide tips and medium flex pattern combine to provide a heady blend of pop and comfort. Lastly, the carbon beam keeps the board lively while reducing the overall weight. If you want to ride like a legend, you’ll need the Jaime in your quiver.
- Medium Flex
- Quattro V bottom (which delivers an engaging grip specificially when riding straps)
- Premium Construction
- Carbon beam for great response and reduced weight
- Wide tips ensure good pop
- Medium flex pattern for comfort and outstanding freestyle characteristics
JAIME TEXTREME
PERFORMANCE FREESTYLE
How do you make one of the best kiteboards in the business better? Take one of the most versatile and popular shapes in the range and give it that little something extra! In this case, it’s a lot of something called Textreme Carbon, the most exotic material to ever be put into a kiteboard. This material not only reduces the weight of the board, but it also adds, even more response and livens up the entire feel on the water. The Jaime Textreme was an entirely new board last year, and it’s back once again to blow kiteboarders away whenever they ride it. The best just got better; it’s as simple as that.
- Medium/hard flex
- Quattro V bottom (which delivers and engaging grip speificially when riding straps)
- Textreme carbon construction (extremely lightweight)
- Biax carbon for dynamic ride and pop
- Innovative outline best suited for riding straps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LV8lCbTBWc
Select
Freeride
If you’ve never ridden a Select, you are missing out, considered around the world as the ultimate freeride twin tip, it’s a thoroughbred machine with a passion for speed! Utilising a full carbon construction featuring Textreme and Biax Carbon weaves the Select is one of the lightest kiteboards on the market, the flat rocker line offers excellent early planing abilities, incredible top speeds and outstanding upwind performance. Thanks to the clever use of materials the board has a soft flex for a comfortable ride but is still exceedingly responsive underfoot offering a lively and fun ride. If you want the fastest, lightest freeride board around, the Select is it!
- Soft flex
- Step mono concave bottom
- Textreme carbon construction
- Full carbon construction for the lightest weight possible
- Flat coker for early planing, light fast speed and outstanding upwind performance
- Softer flex guarantees a comfortable ride in all conditions
- Dynamic flex due to textreme and biax carbon
X-Ride
Freeride
The X-Ride is a fantastic all round board that is perfect for those rail to rail carves as well as offering real boost and a stable platform for your first foray into the world of freestyle. The board features narrow tips for unrivalled carving abilities coupled with a soft flex to ensure a comfortable ride no matter what the conditions are. A Step Mono Concave bottom ensures you have plenty of grip and control while the internal Carbon Beam reduces weight and keeps the board responsive at all times. Even in small waves the X-Ride is the first choice of the twintip range. Easy and forgiving, the X-Ride is the kiteboard that makes you look good!
- Soft Flex (comfortable ride in all conditions)
- Step mono concave bottom (lots of grip and excellent control)
- Premium construction
- Narrow tips for unmatched carving performance
- Carbon beam for increased reactivity and reduced weights
Soleil
Freeride / Freestyle
The Soleil is one of the original kiteboards designed for women by women. The narrow shape makes it easier to control, especially when carving from rail to rail. The Carbon Beam not only reduces the weight but also increases the responsiveness and handling of the board. A softer flex pattern is used to enable lighter riders to get the best pop while improving the comfort of the ride in choppy conditions. We’ve spent years developing the ultimate kiteboard for women, don’t settle for anything less!
- Soft flex (comfortable ride in all conditions)
- Step mono concave
- Premium construction
- Narrower shape specially designed for women
- Carbon beam for increased reacitity and reduced weights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ugEri-QevA
Gonzales
Freeride
The Gonzales is an entry level kiteboard with a twist; it also has the ability to progress as you improve doubling up as a formidable freeride machine. The round outline offers excellent control while the soft flex makes it very forgiving. This flex pattern also ensures a smooth ride through the choppiest of water and the Mono Concave bottom gives you all the control you need during those early sessions during your kiteboarding career. Don’t get a beginners board that will leave you wanting more, get the most out of your sessions!
- Gonzales and get the most out of your sessions!
- Soft flex (creates a very forgiving board)
- Mono concave bottom
- Biax fibre contruction
- Excellent control due to the round outline
- Comfortable ride in all conditions
Spike
Freeride / Light Wind
Every kiteboarder knows the feeling, you turn up at the beach, but the wind just isn’t playing ball! The Spike was designed to increase the amount of time you spend on the water, while still making it fun. Rather than build a “door” the team used all their knowledge to create a light board with a large surface area, perfect for early planing. The stiff flex and flat rocker create lots of speed allowing you to pop and perform tricks in the lightest of airs. The Spike is your go to board to avoid disappointment at the beach!
- Medium/hard flex
- Mono concave bottom
- Biax fibre construction
- Flat rocker and straight outline for very early planning
- A stiff flex overall in the smaller sizes for great pop
- A huge surface area for top performance in lighter winds
Spike Textreme
High Performance Freeride / Light Wind
When you take the great shape and flex of the Spike and add our unique full Textreme Carbon Construction, the results are stunning. The lightest, most dynamic and highest performance light wind freeride board is sure to excite you. The straight outline will have you ripping upwind while the flat rocker and medium to stiff flex gets the board going as soon as your kite will stay in the sky. The Mono Concave bottom offers excellent grip too while the best materials in the industry combine to create a genuinely compelling ride. Light winds don’t excite most kiteboarders, but then most kiteboarders don’t have a secret weapon!
- Medium flex (for super comfortable ride)
- Mono concave bottom
- Textreme carbon construction (for minimum weights)
- Textreme carbon in biax constructions for a dynamic ride
- Flat rocker for optimised planing performance
- Straight outline for outstanding abilities
North Kiteboarding 2018 Footpads/Boots
Entity Footpads
Taking into consideration that every foot is different, the Entity is an ergonomically shaped and highly versatile footpad. Offering a variety of settings via its numerous features, we ensure a perfect fit for each individual that not only looks great, but is quick and easy to mount and adjust.
- Completely new, super exact fitting and closure system
- Bomp proof closing, no readjusting necessary
- 3D fit stap for an ergonomic fitting
- Very robust system for long term durability
Vario Combo
An essential part of our collection, the Vario Combo footpads and straps are compatible with all North Kiteboarding boards, from every generation. Structured, comfortable and durable, the ergonomically shaped pads deliver a satisfying ride and cushy feel. Its proven anti-slip features guarantee a firm grip for optimum communication between you and the board. The strap insertions and track system ensure that the strap’s width and pad’s stance can be easily mounted on the board, and adjusted when needed. The advanced Velcro closure offers compatibility across a broad range of sizes, and is quick and easy to use.
- Ergonomically designed footpads
- Simple to mount
- Stepless width adjustment of the strap when mounted on the track boards
- Stepless stance adjustment (pad distance) when mounted on the track boards
- Anti-slip structure
North Boots
Celebrating its 3rd generation the North Boot just keeps getting better! Driven by Team Rider Craig Cunningham and taking inspiration from our international Freestyle/Wakestle Team, it’s proven to take massive landings and steezy presses in its stride. A premium product designed specifically for kiteboarding its medium stiffness not only offers outstanding support with maximum heel hold, but also allows for freedom of movement and as much flex as the rider commands. The new, frictionless eyelets allow for a quick and easy on/off, whilst the updated closing system features both laces and removable velcro straps for solid closing. The reworked toe area creates an incredibly comfortable and more streamlined fit, as well as eliminating any chances of pinching or creasing in and around the foot. The TPU reinforced ballistic nylon Tongue erases potential pressure points, whilst the reinforced heel retention strap firmly holds the back of the foot in place.
- Removable velcro strap
- Medium flex and support
- Reinforced heel retention strap for a firm, comfortable hold
- Moulded heel panel for added durability and ease of entry
- Low friction eyelets
- Flow through drain panels
For more information regarding North Kiteboarding Twintip boards please click here
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
