North Kiteboarding Atmos Hybrid 138 x 41cm 2020
Reviews / Twin Tips
12,673
At A Glance
We’ve been hugely impressed with the scope of the North Kiteboarding product range, something they have developed over an exceedingly short amount of time. The Atmos is their freeride and big air twin tip, available in two constructions: Hybrid and Carbon. The Hybrid version here uses carbon taping in high load areas to reinforce the glass lamination over the Paulownia wood core.
The result is a board with a softer flex than the carbon construction, but stiffer and more dynamic than the composite build. The shape of the Atmos is very freeride orientated with pulled in tips to promote easy carving. There is a medium rocker line through the board with a single concave that develops into channels in the tips.
Fixtures and fittings come in the shape of the Flex Bindings that North Kiteboarding have been developing with Hugh Pinfold. With a grippy EVA footpad and a triple connection strap, it is easy to get the right fit for your foot. You can set the adjustment between small, medium and large feet, and in addition, there is a high rise in the EVA bed to improve comfort for people with wide feet.
Fins are a composite affair, which bolt to the board with a dog bone plastic washer to protect the deck. Sized at 40mm, they offer a good balance between grip, control and manoeuvrability.
On The Water
I was impressed with all the North Kiteboarding twin tips, the finish is of an exceptionally high standard, and the shapes and designs offer something for everyone without bombarding you with choice. The Atmos is probably the go-to board for most kiters from their range.
On the water, the board cuts exceptionally well through the chop and offers a smooth splash-free ride. The sharp rails help encourage the board upwind, and it’s easy to load the edge and start really raking up into the wind. Speed control is also very good; the 40mm fins combine with the channels in the tips to offer plenty of control.
Pop on the Atmos is easy to get, and the board holds the rail until the moment you release. It’s not explosive, but there is plenty there for boosting big air, and all your basic freestyle moves too. Landings are softened by the channels in the tips, and if you have good technique are easy to stick. The tips on the Atmos are quite tucked, this makes it amazing for carving, but removes that infallible landing area you get on a board with square tips.
Overall
The Atmos is an incredibly easy board to get on with; it’s well built with a great finish. On the water it’s easy to use, forgiving and has plenty of performance when you need it. Well suited to a host of riders from hardcore big air junkies to beginner intermediates looking to progress. We enjoyed our time on the Atmos, especially the grip it had during take off, and are sure it will put a smile on your face too.
Videos
This review was in Issue 77 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit North KiteboardingRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
