CARVE KITE 2026

Surf / Strapless Freestyle

The Carve is a powerful, reactive and controllable kite, ideal for carving up a wave face, tucking into a barrel or boosting strapless tricks. Engineered with a stable, lower aspect ratio design for fast pivot turns and excellent drift, the Carve has an extremely direct feel in both bar pressure and steering initiation. Intuitive control—especially when the kite's not visible on a big bottom turn, cutback, or barrel—means you can focus 100% on the surf. The Carve has a longer, progressive travel, so it feels smooth and responsive throughout the full depower range and is reactive to the very end when you sheet out. For 2025, we’ve refined the 2026 Carve bridling for increased depower and responsive feather-light steering, so the Carve feels lighter, faster turning and more agile. You’ll also discover a cleaner, more aerodynamic canopy profile, with lighter bar pressure for more stable efficient drifting and less pull on the wave face. The improved overall balance with more sweep in the tips enhances drift, so when you're surfing, it glides down the line, waiting for your bar input. The wingtips are light, and the smooth curve and shape draft back ensures balance. A thinner LE diameter reduces the pulling power, while added sweep enables effortless roll to relaunch. The 2025 Carve is smoother, more stable and manageable in gusty conditions. The Carve flies fast upwind and experienced riders will benefit from the kite's impressive power and efficiency. Intermediate riders will find it offers a smoother, more user-friendly ride. Freeride and Strapless Freestylers will love the light reactive steering, longer bar stroke, improved hangtime and catch for rotations and softer landings.

Longer Travel for improved drift and smoother response

Maintain complete drift while sheeted in or out, riding a down-the-line or onshore wave.

Smooth power delivery

For 2026 we’ve reduced the leading-edge diameter and smoothed out the profiles to provide a smoother power delivery.

N-Dure 2 lightweight durable reinforcement

Removing any unnecessary excess weight helps the kite drift better, without compromising its structural integrity.

Improved wind range with more low-end efficiency

The Carve’s low aspect ratio design creates more apparent wind, providing excellent stability and wind.

Lightweight bladders in ALL sizes

The lighter the kite, the faster the steering and the more lift it creates.

Segmented curve arc with direct pivot steering

The Carve has a segmented curve arc design with lighter wingtips. We’ve maintained the smoother curve and shape draft back, so the balance is in the centre of the profile.

Highest quality low-drag, no-pulley bridle lines

All North bridle lines are pre-loaded and measured before cutting to improve accuracy and consistency. This results in reduced shrinkage, reduced elongation and improved longevity. Removing ALL pulleys from the bridle improves safety and gives the kite direct and precise handling. The end result is lower drag, more accuracy and a more direct feeling.

Refined aerodynamic profile transition panels

The profile transition panels ensure that as the leading edge expands, tension from the elongation doesn't migrate into the canopy and a precise lateral profile shape is maintained as close to the leading edge as possible.

Fast-launching swept leading edge design

Allows more area in the centre of the kite for efficiency and makes the kite easy to roll off the water during critical relaunch in the surf.

DuraLite seam protection

Lightweight reinforcement to protect from chafing and abrasion along the struts to the leading edge. Thin foam padding is inserted underneath to form a lightweight durable buffer which lifts the kite slightly off rough surfaces and protects the stitching along the struts and leading-edge seams.

2x personalised performance tuning options

Bar pressure and steering impulse can be adjusted on the wing tip, allowing you to fine tune the kite's characteristics to your personal preference. There are two options. Use the attachment point closest to the wingtip for a lighter, more forgiving feel.  If you prefer a more direct steering and shorter depower travel, you’re able to move the lines forward on the wingtip for more bar pressure.

Kevlar reinforced strut system with bridle deflectors

For the most accurate and durable connection between the strut and the leading edge. Bridle deflectors on the leading edge prevent the control lines catching on the struts.

HyperFlow rapid single-point inflation

Ergonomic high volume single point inflation system with large diameter hose for rapid inflation and deflation. The cap and valve base have been engineered for comfortable opening and closing in colder conditions (when your fingers are freezing). The bayonet style main inflation valve is compatible with most pumps. No adapter needed.

N-HTRS High Performance high tenacity ripstop canopy

All our kites are manufactured using high tenacity polyester yarn canopy material for lightness, high tear strength, zero porosity and longevity.

Durable highest-quality N-DURE2 Dacron inflated structures

For uncompromised strength and durability, all of the inflated structures and the wingtips in the Carve are constructed from the highest quality industry-proven N-DURE2 Dacron with the best strength to weight ratio in a heavy-duty application. We’ve used a layer of markcloth to reinforce the trailing edge. This adds strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body.