2015 North Neo review.
review done by two people, Dad and I.
I am a sponsored team rider by WASurf & North kiteboarding Australia.



The Hype from NORTH
BEST DRIFT CAPABILITIES IN THE RANGE
USE A SMALLER SIZE THAN USUAL?
BRILLIANT SHEET AND GO POWER DELIVERY
RESPONSIVE STEERING WHEN DEPOWERED
EASY WATER RELAUNCH
.OCT. 20 Last year the Neo was redeveloped as a pure wave-riding kite, focusing on the qualities that riders demand in waves. The kite not only im- pressed the riders, but also won several magazine tests in its class. This year the kite has been completely reworked to further improve its per- formance. The Neo still has amazing drift capa- bilities, but the top end has also been improved while keeping the amazing low end. The kite has excellent sheet and go characteristics, meaning you can either dump power, or use it according to where you are on the wave and how it is breaking. This will get you out of difficult situations, but it also makes riding waves easier and flying the Neo is very instinctive. For 2015 we recommend using a kite 1-2 sizes smaller than you would normally as the low end is so impressive! The world’s best wave riders all love the Neo and when you fly one on the waves, you’ll fall in love too!

My Notes about the 2015 Neo.
Dad used the 7m Neo on the 2015 Wam 5’11’’ with straps.
I used the 6m Neo on the 2015 Wam 5’6’’without straps. we both used 2015 North Quad control bars. I weigh 60kg and dad weighs 80kg.
The Neo’s were tested in winds ranging from 16-47knts and cross off to dead on shore winds.
The waves from waist high to double over head, tested in Margaret river.

When getting the 2015 north Neo 6 and 7m out of the bag, I noticed North has reduced the size of the bag, and weight. The Neo has the legendary airport valve to get you out on the water quicker, which I love. After pumping up the kite I’ve noticed they have got adjustment on the forward and back lines, which alter the flying characteristics, like adjustments for bar pressure, turning speed, type of turn, depower and drift. The trailing edge force control seems to be rounded off more compared to last years. Their is less Dacron to make a lighter better drifting wave kite. Self launching the kite was very easy due to the shape. The Neo has a very nice smooth power delivery when sending, but might be a bit powerful for beginners. The sheet and go is exactly what the hype says which is satisfying. There are two types of turning settings, 1. Being pivotal and 2. Being rounded, I prefer the the more rounded turning due to the more power it gives you during turns. But I did find it didn’t go up wind as fast as the other setting. I got the kite to fall out of the sky on me (which took me over an hour to do) and fall into the waves, the kite got flipped and tangled in lines, but when the wind got into the canopy it re-launched without me even trying, the bridles cant get tangled around the wing tips because they are quite short. I tested the kites in onshore, cross on and cross off, they drifted superbly, preferably on cross off & cross on. In dead onshore conditions the lines go slightly slack , but the kite doesn’t fall out of the sky, you can still steer it and generate power. The turning when depowered is insane, I tried the 6m out in 40+ knots with full depower and the kite reacted like their was no depower on. The stability in high winds is slightly sacrificed.
This review was from both of us and coming to the same conclusion, that this is the best wave kite North has produced so far.
Thanks drew from WASurf for giving us the opportunity to ride these kites.


hope you like it,
Billy.