Rider: 75kg, 180cm, Advanced
Style: Freeride, SURF
Weather: NE 18-22knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: longtime north rider.

My Comments:
Ive previously owned a NORTH WAM 5"10, WHIP 5"6 and a NORTH freestyle fish.
I've found i'm travelling more and riding bigger faster waves so i thought i'd give the KONTACT 6"1 a shot.

First look, this thing looks fast.
At only 6"1 X 17 1/2 its pretty narrow, but unless your planning on paddling the thing, why would you want width??

It only comes in a 3 fin config, which suits me as i don't use quads anyway, but if you like mixing it up, it could be a down point.

My major concern is that the FUTURE style fin boxes are made by north and not futures. so some future fins don't fit that well. (they still fit, but not great).

On the first run, i new this board was for me, it was lit straight away, flew out over the whitewater, handled chop no problem and trucked upwind.

on the wave it was even better, handled surface chop fine and smashed critical sections perfectly. (it has some nose rocker)

I love this board... i always looked at it and thought it was to gnarly for me but i was wrong.

get on a demo and try it out.

check my short clip too.

enjoy

What clip

sorry rookie.

Select to expand quote

My major concern is that the FUTURE style fin boxes are made by north and not futures. so some future fins don't fit that well. (they still fit, but not great).

Is this true for the 2012 boards?

If so explains why I have to modify my Futures fins to get then to fit in my 2012 Kontact.

F***ing ridiculous North. What? save 50 cents on the construction cost of each board by using an inferior fin box. Why not use the real thing?

Select to expand quote

JBFletch said...

Rider: 75kg, 180cm, Advanced
Style: Freeride, SURF
Weather: NE 18-22knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: longtime north rider.

My Comments:
Ive previously owned a NORTH WAM 5"10, WHIP 5"6 and a NORTH freestyle fish.
I've found i'm travelling more and riding bigger faster waves so i thought i'd give the KONTACT 6"1 a shot.

First look, this thing looks fast.
At only 6"1 X 17 1/2 its pretty narrow, but unless your planning on paddling the thing, why would you want width??

It only comes in a 3 fin config, which suits me as i don't use quads anyway, but if you like mixing it up, it could be a down point.

My major concern is that the FUTURE style fin boxes are made by north and not futures. so some future fins don't fit that well. (they still fit, but not great).

On the first run, i new this board was for me, it was lit straight away, flew out over the whitewater, handled chop no problem and trucked upwind.

on the wave it was even better, handled surface chop fine and smashed critical sections perfectly. (it has some nose rocker)

I love this board... i always looked at it and thought it was to gnarly for me but i was wrong.

get on a demo and try it out.

check my short clip too.

enjoy

Can you compare it to the WAM and Whip in terms of comfort in the chop? I have a bad knee and looking for a high wind board to compliment my fat little choptop, but it has to be easy on my joints..

Also, would it be too hard to ride strapless, I'm still a bit of a beginner for surfboards, but loving them so much I'm looking to add a high wind board.

Select to expand quote

Hunter S said...

My major concern is that the FUTURE style fin boxes are made by north and not futures. so some future fins don't fit that well. (they still fit, but not great).

Is this true for the 2012 boards?

If so explains why I have to modify my Futures fins to get then to fit in my 2012 Kontact.

F***ing ridiculous North. What? save 50 cents on the construction cost of each board by using an inferior fin box. Why not use the real thing?

i totally agree with you.
the only thing i can work out is that FUTURE brand boxes are hard to set into compression moulded boards??

sorry i cant help more

Select to expand quote

Can you compare it to the WAM and Whip in terms of comfort in the chop? I have a bad knee and looking for a high wind board to compliment my fat little choptop, but it has to be easy on my joints..

Also, would it be too hard to ride strapless, I'm still a bit of a beginner for surfboards, but loving them so much I'm looking to add a high wind board.

Ive ridden the WAM in 2011 and 2012 and found it a good allrounder.
I went to the KONTACT as im starting to step up my big wave riding and find the narrower profile better.
Up wind the WAM/KONTACT are the same, well barely noticeable.

I found that strapless airs are easier on the WAM but i put this down to me riding a shorter length.

I also have a bad left (front knee) and i find due to the larger rocker of the KONTACT that it is better in chop.

Overall if you want a board that can do everything, go the WAM. (everything being flat water cruising, small days to mid size wave days)
If you like going fast, doing hard deep turns and want to ride every wave size then the KONTACT is a far better choice.

I also have a 5"8 WHIP which i will hopefully have a review + movie of soon.

We will also all be at the Corona classic in Merimbula, if you get a chance to come down the whole range will be there to demo.

thanks crew, happy shredding.