Description
Total control on the wave
The Carve is a powerful, reactive and controllable kite, ideal for carving a wave face, getting into a barrel or jumping and throwing strapless tricks. Its stable low-aspect design delivers quick pivot turns and excellent drift, with a very direct feel at the bar and at the start of the turn. For 2025 North refined the bridle for more depower and very light steering, cleaned up the profile so it drifts more stably and pulls less on the wave, and added sweep to the tips so it slides along the wave awaiting your command. It's smoother, more stable and more manageable in gusts, climbs upwind quickly and remains easy for intermediate riders.
3 struts · Sizes 5 – 12 m · Wind 9 – 36 knots · Excellent drift
Who it's for
- Wave riders who want a kite that drifts with them on the wave and responds instantly when they need it.
- Anyone riding a directional board strapless and doing tricks in the air.
- Intermediate riders looking for a smooth, easy wave kite, and experts who want power and efficiency.
- Freeride riders who value light steering and a long, progressive bar throw.
What makes it special
01 Refined bridle, fingertip steering
The new bridle setup gives more depower and very light, sensitive steering: the kite is lighter, more agile and turns faster.
02 Stable, clean profile
A cleaner, more aerodynamic profile with less bar pressure drifts more stably and pulls less on the wave face.
03 Fast turning and power delivery
It responds instantly to the bar and delivers power exactly when you ask for it, with a very direct feel.
04 Relaunch when it matters
The slimmer leading edge and added sweep make the kite roll over and come out of the water effortlessly when you need it most.
05 Hang time and a good catch
More lift in rotations and softer landings, ideal for strapless tricks.
06 Light, tough construction for waves
Light materials and reinforcements where they're needed to stand up to everyday use in the waves.
07 Light handling, earlier turn initiation
The light tips and the smooth curve of the profile start the turn earlier and with very little effort at the bar.
08 Progressive depower throw
The long, progressive bar throw makes the kite smooth and reactive across the whole range, right to the end when you ease the bar out.
09 Smooth, intuitive power
Intuitive control, even when you can't see the kite during a bottom turn or in a barrel, so you can focus 100 % on surfing.
10 Premium bag included
Comes with a high-end bag for carrying and storing it.
Where it shines: waves of any size, side-shore or onshore, on a directional board with or without straps, strapless tricks in the air and gusty freeride.
Sizes and wind ranges
| SIZE | WIND RANGE |
|---|---|
| 5 m | 22 – 36 knots |
| 6 m | 20 – 34 knots |
| 7 m | 18 – 32 knots |
| 8 m | 16 – 30 knots |
| 9 m | 14 – 28 knots |
| 10 m | 12 – 26 knots |
| 11 m | 10 – 22 knots |
| 12 m | 9 – 20 knots |
Ranges from North's official chart for the Carve 2025, intended for an average-weight rider on a twintip at intermediate or advanced level. If you're light or just starting out, subtract 5 knots from the top of the range; for foil, go down a few sizes depending on conditions. To choose by your weight and usual wind, see our kite size guide. Check the selector for sizes and colours available in store.
“The Carve is incredibly reactive: it gives me a lot of control and confidence. I never have to worry about where the kite is, so I can focus completely on the wave and surf it with total freedom.”
Technology and construction
- Long throw for more drift: keeps full drift both sheeted in and sheeted out, in side-shore or onshore waves.
- Smooth power delivery: the smaller-diameter leading edge and smoothed profiles spread the power more smoothly.
- Low aspect ratio: generates more apparent wind and gives a lot of stability, with more performance at the bottom of the range.
- Segmented-curve arc with pivot turning: lighter tips and a shape with the curvature swept back that keeps the balance in the centre of the profile for quick pivoting.
- Swept leading edge: leaves more surface area in the centre for efficiency and helps the kite roll over and come out of the water when relaunching between waves.
- Refined transition panels: stop leading-edge tension from passing into the canopy and keep a precise profile right up against the leading edge.
- Low-drag pulley-free bridle: lines pre-stretched and measured before cutting: less shrinkage and stretch, more precision, more safety and a more direct feel.
- 2 wingtip settings: choose a lighter, more forgiving feel or more direct turning with more bar pressure and a shorter throw.
- N-Dure2 Dacron frame: leading edge, struts and tips in high-quality N-Dure2 Dacron, with the best strength-to-weight ratio; the trailing edge is reinforced to protect the inner canopy.
- N-HTRS canopy: high-tenacity ripstop polyester fabric: light, tough and with zero porosity.
- DuraLite protectors and Kevlar struts: light padded reinforcements that protect the seams from abrasion, and strut joints reinforced with Kevlar plus deflectors so the lines don't snag.
- Light bladders and HyperFlow inflation: AirLite bladders in all sizes and fast one-pump inflation with a bayonet valve compatible with most pumps. Includes kite, bag, repair kit and sandbag.
The Carve on the water
Which one to choose?
- Carve 2026: the same kite (North keeps the design and the reference) in the new Orange colour, with all sizes from 5 to 12 m in stock.
- Reach 2026: North's most versatile kite: if as well as waves you do a lot of freeride on a twintip, jumping or foil, it's more versatile.
- Reach 2025: the previous Reach, versatile and with good drift in waves; an option if you want one kite for everything and can find your size in stock.
Pair it with: the North Navigator Control System bar and a North wave board such as the Cross Pro 2025 or the Charge PRO, with the Free Surf straps if you ride with them.
Frequently asked questions
What size Carve do I need?+
It depends on your weight, your board and your usual wind. In waves riders usually go slightly less powered than on a twintip so the kite drifts better. As a reference, North gives a range of 16 to 30 knots for the 8 m and 12 to 26 for the 10 m. If in doubt, drop us a line.
What's the difference between the Carve 2025 and 2026?+
North keeps the same Carve for 2026: same item code and same official spec sheet. The colour changes (Pacific Blue on the 2025, Orange on the 2026).
Carve or Reach for waves?+
The Carve is designed for waves: low aspect, pivot turning and a drift that keeps the kite still while you surf. The Reach also works well in waves, but it's more versatile and better if you mix in twintip, jumping and foil.
Is it good for riding strapless?+
Yes. North recommends it for strapless tricks thanks to its light steering, long throw, hang time and soft landings.
What's included?+
The kite, the bag, the repair kit and the sandbag. The bar is sold separately.
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