Rider: 63kg, Advanced
Style: Surf
Weather: 20-25 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
After Riding the 2013 North Neo for the first time I could honestly say that this is the first kite that I have ever ridden which I could not fault. The kite has everything that you could need or want in a wave style of kite. Initially after launching the kite off the beach the immediate bar feel and responsiveness of the kite was apparent. After then heading out into the water and getting my first wave and riding down the line, I was astounded at how well this kite drifted. It has the feel about it that you can park your kite, forget about it and surf the wave as hard as you like and the kite will just drift down the line with you. The kites turning speed was no less impressive than the rest of the kite. It pivot turns on a dime, looping the kite is no dramas at all and turning the kite whilst riding was effortless.
One of the key things which I noticed when flying the 2013 North Neo is that it sits right back in the wind window. This means that when your setting up the kite to drift down the line, it is sitting in the correct spot already and requires minimal or no adjustment. This combined with the 3 strut set-up of the kite makes for one of the best wave kites out there. The other key thing which i was super keen to test was the un-hooked abilities of the kite. Once again, the kite proved itself when un-hooked. It has no tendency at all to back-stall and did just as I wanted and sat right down in-front of me.
The construction of this kite is incredible, as are all of the north kites. It has Norths trademark D2 ripstop canopy material making it super strong and near impossible to tear. All of the struts, leading edge and trailing edge all have loads of re-enforcing and make it super strong throughout the whole kite. This kite is built ‘surf-tough’ and will withstand almost anything!
All-in all, if your looking for a kite that will drift well, is super responsive, relaunches effortlessly, is built to last and has a huge wind range, the Neo is one kite that you can not miss!
Marcel de Paula
Check out this clip below of kitesurfing world champion, Airton Cozzolino, talking about the 2013 North Neo.
