Description:

The North Rebel 2012 is the definitive free-ride kite. The 2012 Rebel still 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 North's 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 North 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 depowered.

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.

Whether you're ripping apart waves, getting huge lofty jumps, or just blasting around on flat water, the 2012 North Rebel is a stylish 5-line all-terrain freeride / wave machine that gives you an unmatched "connected" feel and virtually limitless performance in all conditions.

The North Rebel has become famous for it's direct depower, smooth, predictable turning, even when depowered and a short bar stroke. For 2012 this year is no exception! Flutter-free wingtips have greatly improved the smoothness and consistency of the Rebel's turning. This smooth turning combined with optimized canopy profiles that are highly resistant to back stalling provide seamless power delivery ideal for surfing. Improved bar feel and de-power in the small sizes means even more comfortable and accessible top-end so you can keep having fun even when the wind gets nuclear.

The loaded 5th line design, in addition to providing safety, gives the Rebel its short and aggressive power stroke that is up to 30% shorter than bridled kites.

This means huge range and top-end comfort on those super windy days and the ability to instantly turn the power off and on at will as you link your turns down the line.

North's new “floating” centre strut further enhances the direct de-power by allowing the canopy to easily luff as well as providing rock-solid stability in strong winds.

The new back-line “V” attachment distributes the load of the back-lines on the kite for a solid bar feel and, together with the new bungee system, eliminates any line snags during re-launch. ]

The North 2012 Rebel’s unique steering sensitivity and smoothness have also been improved by implementing a straight segment in the leading edge for an ultra clean, flutter-free canopy near the tips that keeps you connected and in-tune to the kite’s every movement.

 Adaptive Tips >

For 2012 the Rebel 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 North 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:

 Bar Control Bar:

Riders of all levels, from pros to newcomers, will all gain substantial advantages from the new North Trust Bar 5th Element system.

Safety - perform all moves with safety leash

Water Start - without swimming

Performance - increased performance due to wider wind range

The 5th Element will come already set up so there are no hassles on your first day and it doesn’t take any more effort to wind up or unwind them, and you don’t feel anything else but better performance when flying them.

All kites can be flown with the same bar, just the short line attached in the middle of the leading edge has to be adjusted to the different kite sizes. Instructions will be attached to all bars or upgrades.