Review North Rebel 2012

KitePreview

5 strut SLE wave/freeride kite

Designers goals

The 2012 Rebel remains North’s flagship kite, combining all the ingredients you need to cover a huge wind-range, rip apart any size surf, boost huge airs and ride comfortably in nearly all conditions. It is quite simply our best interpretation of what a modern free-ride/wave kite should be and it’s really no mystery why the Rebel is THE most sold kite ever.
The 2012 Rebel remains a loaded 5th line kite, offering its most acclaimed performance attributes like a short bar stroke, crisp, direct feeling, rock solid stability in all conditions, and it’s unique ability to steer while de-powered. The new square wingtip design maximizes the effective tip area, makes the tips less prone to distortion and fluttering while steering and gives the Rebel its new stylish and modern appeal. Super clean tip panels account for greatly improved, ultra smooth turning and easy handling that remains smooth even in over-powered conditions. Size-specific tuning ensures that the big sizes feel crisp and lively and the small sizes feel forgiving even in blistering wind. The Rebel also features a simple back-line adjustment to tune it for greater or lesser bar pressure to suit your desired feel. As with all North kites, the 2012 Rebel is built to last utilizing our proven construction methods and the highest quality materials like our exclusive Teijin D2 canopy fabric.

Features

• Loaded 5th Line
• New square tips
• Tunable bar pressure
• Rock solid stability

North 2012 bar

The NKB Trust bar 5th Element is the most progressive and effective tool to steer your kite and comes equipped with the most functional safety system in kiting, the IRON HEART IV. The Iron heart IV fulfills the challenging French safety norm and offers the best possible safety even in the most extreme conditions. The release forces are remarkably low, providing the highest level of safety in emergency situations. For 2012, the entire bar has been completely re-designed, without losing proven features like the roto-head, the sliding stopper with stopper ball and adjustable winding posts. The small and lightweight vario cleat helps to adjust the Trust Bar in any situation quickly and easily. The new upgraded ergonomic bar grip improves comfort and all features of the 2012 Trust Bar are redefined with an aim on the highest functionality and easiest handling, even in challenging circumstances.

Movie North Rebel 2012

KiteTest North Rebel 10m 2012

Kite Designers goals?

The 2012 Rebel remains North’s flagship kite, combining all the ingredients you need to cover a huge wind-range, rip apart any size surf, boost huge airs and ride  comfortably in nearly all conditions.

Test Conditions

Setup: 25m lines, tested both set-ups

Wind: tested between 15 and 27 knots

Water conditions: flat/2.5m waves

Detail Photo's

Conclusion

The 2012 Rebel is hard as a rock. Its profile is tight, which you will be able to notice in its flight characteristics: very tight on the bar, direct power and highly stable in the air. The Rebel is a true wing, which is reflected in its old school characteristics. The most notable about this kite is the explosive lift and a truly spectacular gliding phase.

The Rebel is a kite that demands a lot of technical skills from its rider. Why?

• The Rebel has to be flown on high speed. Too much pressure on the steering lines will slow it down, so release and let it fly for power!
• Riding the edge of your board and kite position both have a big influence on the amount of lift the Rebel provides.
• The right angle of attack has to be found for an explosive lift, maximum duration of the gliding phase and highest speed possible.

The 2012 version of the Rebel has changed compared to its 2011 predecessor. It has a considerably longer gliding phase but is also less playful. Please note that we have tested the 10m version of the Rebel. The characteristics of a kite series can vary widely throughout the different kite sizes, and we expect the North Rebel Series to be no exception. We expect for example that the smaller versions will display more wave performance.

For wavers, we would advise to test the 8m or 9m variant. The 10m variant is without a doubt a kite that will be able to surprise every seasoned big air specialist.