2011 North Rebel 10m

Rider: 88kg, Level (advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Freestyle
Weather: 15-20 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: (shop owner)

My Comments:

OK, I had a couple of hours on and off playing with the new 2011 North Rebel (black one ) today in winds varying from 15 to 20 knots. For a no BS review, read on.

Firstly to get things straight, I didn't like the 2010 Rebel much. It was smooth and nice to fly, but quite boring, no zing. I demo'd it, reviewed it and didn't ride it again for the year. So I wasn't sure quite what to expect from the new one. North tend to be the worst at regurgitating the same old BS hype every year. Faster, stronger, lighter, smoother, bigger blah blah blah......

First thing you notice with the new Rebel is the nice big bag, and this year it even opens from the top! Good start, but who chose the colours? WTF? Aqua?? Anyway, the bag is good, easy to stuff the kite in, but the pocket on the front is too short for the bar, not that its an issue because the main body of the bag is more than big enough for bar and pump too.

Oh don't get me started on the pump. Jaysus! If you thought the kite colours are bad, wait til you see the pump, what's with the bright pink hose?? Like gay meets vomit.

But anyway, the kite now has a one way inflation valve (YAY!) and a fantastic new clamping system to secure the plug (it really works and works well). Same old gadgets and gizmo's as previous model so nothing striking there. The new bar has hardly changed at all apart from sexy new translucent QR collar, changed grip and a highly polished centre piece which looks great.

But how does it fly? Bloody terrific! First off, it's still stable, it has BIG power and the grunt comes on really quick as soon as you initiate a turn and it starts to dive. Sining this kite is awesome from the power it develops early on in the power stroke. Very similar to the Core GTS.

Turning speed is improved on 2010. The turn initiates quicker and much faster with less slide to pivot than previous. I loved the turn speed. The 10m really does turn like a 9m

Sensitivity to turn is more than last years, it is very easy to start the turn but the kite still is very easy to feel where it is in the window so you don't need to watch it. I thought it was about perfect.

Depower was great, it took up the best part of the whole bar throw but that's not too long in any case and you can trim it to suit your own physical proportions in seconds if needed.

Boost was excellent, it goes big, even without being overly powered. You do need to take it a bit easy on the trigger hand as it moves so quick it will surprise you if you're not onto it. Float is great, soft and predictable.

Relaunch is same as previous years and is fine.

I thought the bar pressure was light to moderate when I first went out, but shortly after a while I could feel it there in my hands, and so changed my opinion to medium bar pressure, not as light as an Ozone for instance and definately not heavy, somewhere in the middle. (Maybe my hands are a bit girly soft after winter )

Upwind ability was OK, certainly not a stand out. If I wanted to go upwind, I had to really work the board a bit more and consciously keep the speed down a bit and it went upwind fine but it wasn't effortless like the Ozones that I am used to which fly effortlessly upwind.

Overall, a bloody fantastic kite which is a huge improvement over the 2010. If I had to ride a North Rebel all season long, I'd be more than happy to do that, it really is a great kite.

Pics as soon as I get a chance, too busy frothing over new kites and boards today!

I have the new North Rebel and Vegas available for demo at Pinnaroo every windy day.

Cheers,

DM

Hey Cwamit,

Of course! Haha, I knew you were coming so I am bringing one specially for you

Cheers mate, see you in Exy.

DM

DM is on the money..

Rebel gets 2 thumbs up as kite of the year.. I'm moving across to a rebel this season after riding one for a couple of hours.

I never thought I would say it but this years 2011 rebel rocks hard. The ultimate freeride machine.

If you want to put a smile back on your face as soon as you get hold of the bar and boost then this is the kite for you.