Rider: 75kg intermediate
Style: Freestyle
Weather: 12-16 knots - pretty steady
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Work at WA Surf. Did not ride the 2012 Team as my board of choice, as it didn't impress me enough for the price. Used to riding stiff + slippery boards.
My Comments:
Took the new 2013 North Team Series out for a spin today in the pond at Safety Bay. 134 x 41 (this board is in the shop for demo). I was riding a 2013 12m Vegas. Wind was 12-14 knots I guess, barely touching 15. I didn't touch the depower once and the only other kite out was a 15m C4.
Firstly, the board is super light. A little heavier than the 2012 model but that's due to North bulking up the construction to keep it in one piece while still remaining one of the lightest twin tips on the market (not sure weight in KG). Overall it looks pretty damn sexy!
Now considering the only other person out was on a 15m kite, i was hoping that because it's quite a flat and light weight board it would help me get going - I was totally expecting to go down wind and walk home. I was not super stoked on this board last year so it was interesting to see if there was any difference.
I absolutely loved it today! I found the 2012 board kind of gave you shocks up through your legs when you landed - like it was vibrating kind of as you landed. None of that on the new board. Plenty of grip on the tips thanks to the shallow but effective 'quatro' channels in the ends, but as it's a single concave board it was not so grippy that it was hard to slide to toeside or land a little skewif. Those who know me will know i pretty much ALWAYS land a bit off!! I prefer boards that are super slippery - 10-20mm fins usually - and for a supposed 'grippy' board according to North, I didn't find it too harsh.
It rides really easy - fast, effortless and went upwind really well. I guess that's since it's designed for their team riders at PKRA stops in sh!tty wind and crappy conditions. When you point downwind a little and get some speed it feels very in control. Loading up to pop was great; in what was marginal conditions it gave me plenty of pop and thanks to the low weight, it is really easy to throw around where ever you want. On landing, the tips seem pretty flexible as it felt like i was 'stomping' every trick on this board.
Overall, super light weight, very comfy in the chop compared to my last 'competition/freestyle' board I was riding from a different brand. Great pop, soft landings and easy to throw around. And yes, it's no secret it costs a pretty penny. If you are wanting to progress your freestyle or oldschool skills, or wanting to compete at state, national and overseas, you will appreciate this board.
Everyone is welcome to come down and try this board out at Safety Bay.http://www.wasurf.com.au/collections/twin-tips/products/2013northteamseries
I'll throw in my observations.
I have riden the 137 board for the last 2 weeks in 15-28 knots, on 2013 Vegas 8 & 12m, in both flat and choppy conditions, I weigh 85kg. No affiliation with any kiteboarding company.
Performance - this board pops incredibly well, landings at speed are quite control however significantly more 'skaty' than my previous board, Nobile NHP 134. Despite this being a very freestyle/competition focused board, it does quite well as a 'power freeride' board, it will go upwind to a respectable standard, handles chop relatively well and has a respectable bottom end - gets me upwind in 15 knots on flat water.
Build Quality - after 2 weeks I can already see some sand related fade on the heel side edge of the board. This has never happened with my previous laminated Nobile boards. The light weight construction is fantastic it is very easy on the feet and really allows me to throw my feet over my head with ease.
I have previously had the 2009 team series and find the 2013 is a completely different board. It is definitely not just for the competition rider but is suitable for the freerider that wants to go that little bit bigger without compromising too much comfort.
Gave it another go today - again flat water in the pond. I was on a 9m 2013 Vegas and had a lot of depower on. SO MUCH POP! everything about it just got better as the wind picked up.
Definately riding this board this summer!!
