Description
The wave kite that lets you surf
The Carve is a powerful, reactive and controllable kite, ideal for carving down the face of a wave, getting barrelled or jumping with strapless tricks. For 2026 North keeps the same Carve, with the same reference and the same official spec sheet as the 2025, now in Orange. Its stable low aspect ratio design gives fast pivot turns and excellent drift, with a very direct feel at the bar and at the start of the turn. The refined bridles give more depower and very light steering, the clean profile drifts steadily and pulls less on the wave, and the swept wingtips let it glide down the wave waiting for your command. Smooth and manageable in gusts, fast upwind and 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 strapless directional board and doing tricks in the air.
- Intermediate riders looking for a smooth, easy wave kite, and experts who want power and efficiency.
- Freeriders who value light steering and a long, progressive bar throw.
What makes it special
01 Refined bridles, fingertip steering
The new bridle setup gives more depower and very light, responsive 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 steadily 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 in critical moments
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 Airtime and soft landings
More lift in rotations and softer landings, ideal for strapless tricks.
06 Light, tough construction for waves
Lightweight materials and reinforcements where they're needed to handle everyday use in the waves.
07 Light handling, earlier turn initiation
The light wingtips and the smooth curve of the profile start the turn sooner 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 let 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
It comes with a high-end bag for transport and storage.
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 freeride in gusty wind.
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 |
| 12 m | 9 – 20 knots |
North doesn't publish a separate spec sheet for the Carve 2026: it keeps the Carve with the same reference, so the ranges are those from its official chart, intended for an average-weight rider on a twintip at intermediate or advanced level. North also makes an 11 m (10 – 22 knots) that we don't stock in this version. If you're light or just starting out, subtract 5 knots from the top of the range; for foiling, go down a few sizes depending on conditions. To choose based on your weight and usual wind, see our kite size guide. Check the selector for the 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 focus completely on the wave and surf it with total freedom.”
Technology and construction
- Long throw for more drift: it keeps full drift with the bar both sheeted in and out, in side-shore or onshore waves.
- Smooth power delivery: the smaller-diameter leading edge and softened profiles distribute power more smoothly.
- Low aspect ratio: it generates more apparent wind and gives great stability, with more performance at the low end of the range.
- Segmented curve arc with pivot turning: lighter wingtips and a shape with the curvature swept back that keeps the balance in the centre of the profile for fast pivoting.
- Swept leading edge: it leaves more surface area in the centre for greater efficiency and helps the kite roll over and come out of the water when relaunching between waves.
- Refined transition panels: they stop leading edge tension passing into the canopy and keep a precise profile right next to the leading edge.
- Low-drag pulley-free bridles: lines pre-stretched and measured before cutting: less shrinkage and stretch, more precision, more safety and a more direct feel.
- 2 wingtip setting options: choose a lighter, more forgiving feel or more direct turning with more bar pressure and a shorter throw.
- N-Dure2 Dacron structures: leading edge, struts and wingtips 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, strong 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 on all sizes and fast single-point 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 2025: the same kite in Pacific Blue; only a few units left (12 m size).
- Reach 2026: North's most versatile kite: if as well as waves you do a lot of twintip freeride, jumping or foiling, it's more versatile.
- Reach 2025: the previous Reach, versatile and with good drift, if you're looking for 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 you usually go a little less powered than on a twintip so the kite drifts better. As a guide, North gives the 8 m a range of 16 to 30 knots and the 10 m 12 to 26. If in doubt, drop us a line.
What's changed compared with the Carve 2025?+
The design hasn't changed: North keeps the Carve with the same item code and the same official spec sheet. The 2026 comes in Orange.
Carve or Reach for waves?+
The Carve is designed for waves: low aspect ratio, pivot turning and 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 switch between twintip, jumping and foiling.
Is it good for strapless riding?+
Yes. North recommends it for strapless tricks thanks to its light steering, long throw, airtime and soft landings.
What's included?+
The kite, bag, repair kit and sandbag. The bar is sold separately.
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