NORTH Rebel
Sizes Available: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18m
Sizes Tested: 9, 11m
North Says:
The North Kiteboarding Rebel doesn’t need an introduction; it has been the pinnacle of freeride kites for so long now. There are countless riders around the world who enjoy its amazing performance, and once again, for 2015 a Rebel, is a Rebel! The loaded 5th line offers amazing depower and unparalleled sheet and go power delivery. This year the profile has been tuned to improve the upwind ability even more, and of course you get the smooth and predictable handling that is part of the Rebels DNA. The biggest sizes are pure hangtime machines and the 18 comes as a 18 airstyle edition! It’s the most user friendly, performance orientated kite we make. If you’re a freerider then the Rebel is the go to kite for the best jumps, longest hangtime and smoothest ride on the water
Visit for more info: https://www.northkiteboarding.com/products/kites/rebel/
Our Testers Say:
“Big boost, soaring hangtime, very stable but doesn’t turn as fast as the Dice/Evo, but great for the rider who wants to set it and forget it,” Jason Kane.
“Excellent all around kite with very smooth power delivery and mellow bar pressure that was easy on my tendonitis,” Aaron Stephens.
“Goes upwind great, generates a lot of power in turns but timing on jumps was a little off for me,” Marko Bartscherer.
TKB Says:
The Rebel is a 5-strut medium to high aspect freeride kite that features North’s loaded 5th line technology. The Rebel inflates easily with North’s large diameter inflation valve that connects directly with the standard pump hose without the use of a nozzle. The inflation system’s twist valve locks and unlocks with the insertion and removal of the hose and makes inflating and packing up quick and easy. The 5th line uses a high V split with two steering settings that are adjusted on the rear bridle. Most of our testers were not 5th line aficionados but nonetheless scored the Rebel very high for its upwind ability, impressive boosting and hangtime. The Rebel has light to medium bar pressure and accomplishes its power band within a relatively small length of throw on the bar. Testers recommend the Rebel as a great freeride kite for cruising and boosting big airs.
The Rebel requires North’s 5th Element bar which is a dual adjustable length bar (42/49cm and 46/53cm) that comes with four line length options: 19 and 22m lines on the 42/49cm bar and 24 and 27m lines on the 46/53cm bar. The 5th Element comes with a loaded 5th line that delivers close to 100% depower, a spectra sheeting/throw line with a sliding stopper, high V, above the bar cam cleat that can be adjusted to accommodate longer throw length without disturbing the kite’s tuning as well as a velcro tuning handle which keeps tuning slack out of the way under depowered conditions. The push away quick release features a plastic molded loop and finger lock, as well as a below the bar hand swivel which doubles as a quick release travel guard. The integrated floats and bar ends are padded and provide sufficient space for easy winding and allow riders to adjust the length of the outside lines for stretch or tuning. Testers gave the Trust bar high praise for its overall comfort, lightweight, functional features and intelligent design.
Visit for more info on the bar: https://www.northkiteboarding.com/products/bars/5th-element/
