2012 North Rebel 9m Kite Review
2012 North Rebel 9m Kite Review
Wow, what a great wave session on the North Rebel yesterday! The winds were side-on at about 20 knots, with a waist to chest high north swell. I was riding the 2012 Rebel 9M with my favorite Rawson 5'11" rounded pin surfboard.
The nearshore currents were strong, as the winds were steady the whole day. This usually affects how far down the line I'll surf a wave due to an increased challenge in getting back upwind. On my first tack out, I quickly realized one reason why this kite gets such good reviews in the waves - it rips upwind. I was able to gain as much ground in one tack as I would have in three tacks on my previous wave slashing favorite. This may not sound like a big deal, but when trying to fight strong currents on a open beach break session, upwind ability is key.
The more obvious reason that I love the Rebel for wave riding is its turning ability. This kite turns quick and smooth and has just the right amount of bar throw. Turning speed, combined with upwind ability, helps to keep me right in the pocket of the wave, where other kites might have me just ahead of the wave (more in the flats). One very sick characteristic of the Rebel is its ability to maintain responsive steering while depowered. I don't know what kind of voodoo they're putting into this kite over at North, but they're definitely doing it right. Usually, I'm expecting to sacrifice some steering when depowering a kite. This is not the case with the Rebel.
Bar pressure is light to medium, depending on which setting you have chosen. I like just a little more feedback, so I use the higher setting whether wave riding or sessioning slicks. Whether I'm riding toeside or heelside, the bar is right where I like it. The cleat style sheeting system also allows you to place the cleat anywhere along the line that you'd like (closer or farther away), which also controls the amount of throw in the bar.
Another solid characteristic is the Rebel's ability to handle gusty conditions. This kite just slices right through without any jerky pulls on the bar. Although I haven't yet had it out in more than the mid to high 20's, I'm pretty sure that the 9M can handle quite a lot of wind on the high end.
Rider: Aaron Johnson
Age: 42
Weight: 185lbs.
Riding: 12 years
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