Rider: 63kg, Advanced
Style: Surf
Weather: 20-25 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclaimer: Work at Shop

After Riding the 2013 North Neo for the first time I could honestly say that this is the first kite that I have ever ridden which I could not fault. The kite has everything that you could need or want in a wave style of kite. Initially after launching the kite off the beach the immediate bar feel and responsiveness of the kite was apparent. After then heading out into the water and getting my first wave and riding down the line, I was astounded at how well this kite drifted. It has the feel about it that you can park your kite, forget about it and surf the wave as hard as you like and the kite will just drift down the line with you. The kites turning speed was no less impressive than the rest of the kite. It pivot turns on a dime, looping the kite is no dramas at all and turning the kite whilst riding was effortless.

One of the key things which I noticed when flying the 2013 North Neo is that it sits right back in the wind window. This means that when your setting up the kite to drift down the line, it is sitting in the correct spot already and requires minimal or no adjustment. This combined with the 3 strut set-up of the kite makes for one of the best wave kites out there. The other key thing which i was super keen to test was the un-hooked abilities of the kite. Once again, the kite proved itself when un-hooked. It has no tendency at all to back-stall and did just as I wanted and sat right down in-front of me.

The construction of this kite is incredible, as are all of the north kites. It has Norths trademark D2 ripstop canopy material making it super strong and near impossible to tear. All of the struts, leading edge and trailing edge all have loads of re-enforcing and make it super strong throughout the whole kite. This kite is built 'surf-tough' and will withstand almost anything!

All-in all, if your looking for a kite that will drift well, is super responsive, relaunches effortlessly, is built to last and has a huge wind range, the Neo is one kite that you can not miss!

Marcel de Paula

Check out this clip below of kitesurfing world champion, Airton Cozzolino, talking about the 2013 North Neo.

Great Advert!!! Now...what's the kite really like......

haha! As much as this sounds like an advert it is 100% exactly what i got out of flying this kite. Everyone that I have spoken too who has also flown it feels exactly the same.

If you have flown and feel otherwise I'd love to hear what you think.

You make it sound pretty good, been riding the drifters and like them, but had some bad experiences with North in the past, though you do make it sound very tempting to try out, with such an amazing write up....

No Harm done in trying a new kite...

Not sure what your bad experience was, but North make some of the best quality gear out. I would definitely make the effort to take one out for a kite. :)

Cheers, can you compare it to the drifter?

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Paul1 said...
Cheers, can you compare it to the drifter?

Sorry Paul but I have not flown the drifter! Can't make any comments on it.

What's the upwind ability like?
If its sits back in the window, I am guessing it may not be that good.
For me a surf kite needs a balance between drift and upwind ability

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Flying High said...
What's the upwind ability like?
If its sits back in the window, I am guessing it may not be that good.
For me a surf kite needs a balance between drift and upwind ability

Hi Mate,

The upwind ability of this kite is definitely not as good as something like the North Rebel or Fuse, which really excel in this area. However each time I have flown it I have had no dramas at all in holding my ground and going upwind after riding down the line. It is comparable to the North Evo if you've ever flow that?

Even so... for me I would prefer kite that drifted really well and had compromised upwind ability over the inverse. You might have to do one extra tack however the ride back down is all so much smoother.

Marcel

havnt rode this kite but ive been in close company on a couple of occasions riding, ive seen it in over 30 knts and in lesser winds on a couple of downwinders in the waves, in the correct hands it looks great, speak to kim at gero surf and sail its his go to wave kite

has anyone put the neo and the reo back to back.

"near impossible to tear" That is a joke isn't it? But hey, I do need a kite that'll make me look that good!

Anyone compared on the same day in the same conditons the North neo and the Ozone reo.I like the sounds of the reo...no pulleys..and the same with the neo....direct and fast...
The ozone bar has always been a bit behind the times.I like the north bar much better and the cabrinha bar too.
It would be interesting to see neo and the reo head to head even If I choose the reo and bought the north 4 line bar or the cabrinha bar!
Cabrinha bar is the only bar I have tried so far which unravels the inner line twists by itself .The ozone being the hardiest to unravel the twists manually.

Mate the ozone bar is far superior to the north bar and I've had both. Seriously don't let that stop you. I have no problems with their bar at all!

That being said a new one is coming in 2014.

Both great kites man, it's the feel that differs. You gotta get on both and see.

i have a Neo and love it.

Improved my confidence, air-time and wind range over my other kite. Instant re-launch, i have never dropped it in a wave. Touch wood.
I ride strapless surf.

Drift madness. In good wind i don't have any upwind issues. If it is directly on-shore in marginal conditions (14knt)you notice upwind not being greet but thems the breaks. Its the nature of the beast.

I wouldn't mind a more durable de-power line on North bars.

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diamond2001 said..

Anyone compared on the same day in the same conditons the North neo and the Ozone reo.I like the sounds of the reo...no pulleys..and the same with the neo....direct and fast...
The ozone bar has always been a bit behind the times.I like the north bar much better and the cabrinha bar too.
It would be interesting to see neo and the reo head to head even If I choose the reo and bought the north 4 line bar or the cabrinha bar!
Cabrinha bar is the only bar I have tried so far which unravels the inner line twists by itself .The ozone being the hardiest to unravel the twists manually.

reo flag to 1 line, cabrina flag to two

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Seabreezeb said..

i have a Neo and love it.

Improved my confidence, air-time and wind range over my other kite. Instant re-launch, i have never dropped it in a wave. Touch wood.
I ride strapless surf.

Drift madness. In good wind i don't have any upwind issues. If it is directly on-shore in marginal conditions (14knt)you notice upwind not being greet but thems the breaks. Its the nature of the beast.

I wouldn't mind a more durable de-power line on North bars.

What size is your Neo? What are your other kites?

I agree there, the ozone bar is out of date and even though the north depower lines wear out, I wouldn't leave the smoothness of a rope over the weird feeling of a plastic sheath ( only talking about wave riding)