Ran into a friend who had the new North Nova wing and had a chance to try it out.

www.realwatersports.com/products/2021-north-nova-wing



When I first saw it, I thought it was very much like my Armstrong A-wing, the windows were just in a different place. Wow! Is all I can say! The thing might look like my A-wing but it was a lot lighter! More like the Doutone Unit.

Got to try the 4.2M Lots of grunt, very good upwind. The handles were comfortable and stiff. There is some sort of foam inside them that makes them a nice shape. Window were on the smaller side, but totally in the right spot.

I've never tried a wing that had me thinking of moving up from the Armstrong, but the North has that in spades. I love the Armstrong quality and power, but the weight is an issue. My vision for the Armstrong v2 was lighter weight and better window placement, basically North nailed it. Even my wife was thinking we should swap out the (1 month old) Unit 4M for a Nova.

The bag it comes with is very high quality as well. Shaped like the Armstrong, but "double wide" has a padded shoulder strap, and a nice saddle for the pump to hangout.

Thanks for sharing the first impressions! Looking at the Nova too!

Yes you are very wrong on that point.

Youngbreezy said..
The old north kiteboarding became Duotone and kept all the same designer, riders and equipment. The new north kiteboarding is a newish company with different designs and team.

Curious to know who is behind the new company.
Only info I can find on the website is that the R&D is based in New Zealand.

Edit: more info here www.northkb.com/en/news/people
Looks like they've been rebooting the brand in 2019-ish lots of signings.
Plus the story (podcast) of the rebirth of North: www.iksurfmag.com/features/mike-raper-on-the-intriguing-beings-podcast-an-incredible-year-season-02-episode-03/

Glad you like them. We been riding the 3.5 and the 4.2 for a few months now. They have held up well to 3x/week use, still looks brand new. Love the huge bags that we can just stuff with wing into. Power to weight ratio is amazing. Compared to my Armstrong A-wing, they feel way lighter, and slightly less powerful. Windows are in the right place to look through without having to move the wing.

Just checking in on this discussion: yesterday a great session with the North Nova 4.2.
Now some 10 or so sessions with this wing. I am really getting in tune with it! The wing is just inviting me to go out in lower winds. Pumping and getting going is so easy. The power sweet spot is very clear and centered.

Loving the 1st (from front) and 3rd handle. And using the 4th to get going.
Using the lower Y handle and 3rd for easy cruising mode. Lower Y handle + 4th handle to get going in lower winds.

I am tempted to swap my 6m Takoon for a larger size North Nova. The North feels pretty stiff and its structure really remains despite gusts etc. Not much flexing.

Wondering about others' impressions of the Nova

www.instagram.com/tv/CWx6es0IrUi/?utm_medium=copy_link

Here a video from my session today at zero degrees Celsius.. with snow! At these low temps the hands and strength in them is the first thing to suffer. The Nova feels so light in the hands, I couldn't ask for better handling. I am keen to buy different sizes (this is the 4.2).. at the same time thinking that a V2 of this wing must be worth waiting.. though v1 is perfect and would be a good deal if V2 comes out

I have been using a 5.0 and a 3.5 nova for the last 6 months. Love them.
great quality and handling.
I don't think there is any plans for a V2 yet. The 2022 range looks unchanged. I am sure they will add other models at some point.
if I could suggest a modification, it would be a little bit more canopy tension. At this point nothing else on the market would tempt me to change.

Jeroensurf have you tried any other slightly larger sizes in the North range & do you think your 3.5 is good more most winds? what do you think is the lightest wind range for your 3.5? thanks:-)

nimo1972 said..
I have been using a 5.0 and a 3.5 nova for the last 6 months. Love them.
great quality and handling.
I don't think there is any plans for a V2 yet. The 2022 range looks unchanged. I am sure they will add other models at some point.
if I could suggest a modification, it would be a little bit more canopy tension. At this point nothing else on the market would tempt me to change.

H

I heard V2 coming out shortly. No info yet as to changes.