North 2021 Orbit Kite Ocean Blue

North 2021 Orbit Kite

King of the Big Air Kites

Committing to overpowered airs and megaloops in gusty conditions demands an unwavering trust in your kite. Our iconic premier 5-strut kite, delivers incredible top-end control and allows you to hold down more power than any other kite per square metre. Big jumps. Big hang time. Big wind range. This kite was designed to rocket you upwind fast, with effortless steering, extreme boosting and hangtime guaranteed to take your breath away. Tested by nature, proven on the podium. The Orbit has your back when the rules of gravity don’t apply. For 2021 we’ve modified the bridle for a more playful feel, and further improved the stability, while maintaining the kite’s high-end performance and kiteloop recovery. We’ve also strategically replaced the heavy dacron with lighter weight reinforcement material, so the kite feels even lighter and more responsive.

PREDICTABLE IN THE UNPREDICTABLE

A high-performance Big Air kite that is stable and consistent in a wide range of conditions, especially in the high end. The Orbit’s ability to fly forward and catch you in kiteloops allows you to ride the kite overpowered without it getting away from you. But at the same time, it’s like a race horse - it wants to go. 

So you need to keep your eye on it. Note: the same characteristics that enable kiteloop recovery can make the kite front-stall sensitive, we recommend active rear-line tension for greater stability.

WIND RANGE

PERFORMANCE

RED BULL KING OF THE AIR WINNER

Tested by nature and proven on the podium. 2020 Red Bull King of the Air Jesse Richman’s winning kite.

PREDICTABLE IN THE UNPREDICTABLE

A high-performance Big Air kite that is stable and consistent in a wide range of conditions, especially in the high end. The Orbit’s ability to fly forward and catch you in kiteloops allows you to ride the kite overpowered without it getting away from you. But at the same time, it’s like a race horse - it wants to go. 

So you need to keep your eye on it. Note: the same characteristics that enable kiteloop recovery can make the kite front-stall sensitive, we recommend active rear-line tension for greater stability.

NEW MODIFIED BRIDLING AND LIGHT BAR PRESSURE

In 2021 we’ve modified the bridle for controlled response and even faster steering, giving the kite a more playful feel with increased depower. Chief Kite Designer Pat Goodman worked closely with team riders, in particular Marc Jacobs, to put the kite through hardcore testing in a lot of wind. This enabled us to further improve the stability, the feedback and the steering behaviour, and to give the kite a lighter, more responsive feel.

NEW LIGHTER WEIGHT CONSTRUCTION

In 2021 we’ve replaced the heavier dacron on the trailing edge and at the very leading edge with a NEW  lighter weight strategic canopy reinforcement. This adds strength and elongation control, protecting the lighter inner main canopy body and producing a durable kite that can hold its profile for increased performance and lift. Because the new fabric is more conforming to the inflated structure, it also helps creates a smoother, cleaner entry on the profiles.

Bar pressure and steering impulse tuning tips

WHAT IS STEERING IMPULSE? 

Steering impulse is the responsiveness of the kite - how quickly it reacts when you provide input into the bar. Faster, more responsive kites are essential for wave riding and kite loops.  

WHAT IS BAR PRESSURE?

Bar pressure is the amount of force needed to keep the kite at a certain angle of attack when kiting, or the force needed to turn the kite. It is determined by how much power is transmitted through the steering lines. Lighter bar pressure means less force is needed. With higher bar pressure you can feel the kite more.

You can adjust your kite’s bar pressure and steering impulse to your personal preference using the different wingtip tuning attachment options. The North Orbit, Reach and Pulse kites cover the full adjustment range with just two attachment points. On these kites, the attachment points are A and C. 

REAR SETTING: LIGHT BAR PRESSURE / LOWER STEERING IMPULSE

Attaching your rear line to the rear attachment point (A) allows for light bar pressure and lower steering impulse. When the lines are attached closer to the wing tip the kite will have a lighter, more forgiving feeling, more depower travel and require less effort to fly.  The stock setting on the Orbit is the most rearward setting on the wingtip, which gives you the lightest steering impulse and a medium and controllable amount of depower travel on the bar.  

MIDDLE SETTING (CARVE ONLY): LIGHT BAR PRESSURE / MODERATE IMPULSE

Attachment to the middle attachment point (B) allows for a lighter bar pressure and moderate steering impulse. 

The Carve kite has three attachment points and the bridle lines come attached to the middle setting, for shorter bar travel and more controllable depower. While wave-riding you need the ability to depower on and off in a very short amount of travel. You don’t want, as you get powered up, for the bar to get further away from you as it could throw you off balance. A short, responsive depower gives the kite a much better behaviour when riding waves and gives you the ability to have fingertip control.

Use a loop-to-loop connection to secure the rear attachment line to the attachment point on the kite.