Short answer: the North Carve is North's dedicated surf kite, built for wave riding and strapless freestyle. North rates it 5/5 for turning speed, the fastest in its line, and 2/5 for hangtime, the lowest. It comes in eight sizes from 5m to 12m, covering 9 to 36 knots. Buy it if you ride waves. Skip it if you jump.
North's ratings, next to the Reach
| Dial (out of 5) | Carve | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end power | 3 | 4 |
| Turning speed | 5 | 4 |
| Hangtime | 2 | 3 |
| Depower | 4 | 4 |
| Ease of use | 4 | 5 |
Read that as a kite shaped for the wave, not the air. It has a lower aspect ratio and a segmented arc for pivot turns, and the bridle is set up for drift. North designed it to stay controllable even when you cannot see it, such as on a bottom turn or in a barrel. It gives up some low end and all the float that a boosting kite has.
Wind range per size
These are North's published ranges for the Carve 2025, with the Reach 2025 alongside for comparison:
| Size | Carve (knots) | Reach (knots) |
|---|---|---|
| 5m | 22–36 | 22–37 |
| 6m | 20–34 | 20–34 |
| 7m | 18–32 | 18–32 |
| 8m | 16–30 | 16–30 |
| 9m | 14–28 | 14–28 |
| 10m | 12–26 | 12–26 |
| 11m | 10–22 | 10–25 |
| 12m | 9–20 | 9–23 |
Up to 10m, the two kites carry identical ratings. The difference shows at 11m and 12m, where the Carve tops out 3 knots lower. That fits a surf kite, which is meant to be flown small and fully powered, and it is why the Carve stops at 12m while the Reach goes to 19m.
How it is built
- Airframe: N-Dure2 Dacron with DuraLite seam protectors.
- Canopy: N-HTRS high-tenacity ripstop.
- Bladders: lightweight Airlite bladders in every size.
- Handling: North lists longer travel for drift, smooth power delivery and more low-end efficiency than earlier versions.
- In the box: the kite, a kite bag, a repair kit and a sand bag. The bar and pump are sold separately. Any Navigator control system fits, and North recommends its Surf Slider loop for kitesurfing.
Honest limit: the dials are the whole trade-off. A 2/5 for hangtime means the Carve is the wrong kite if your sessions end with big jumps, and a 3/5 for low end means it needs more wind than a Reach of the same size to feel lit. It is also a specialist. If you split your time between surf, twintip and foil, the Reach covers all three and still drifts well in waves. Wind ranges assume an average rider, and heavier riders sit at the top of each band. The kite sizing page has every table, and the gear advisor will size one from your weight and your wind.
What it costs
As of this post, the Carve 2025 is the version we carry, and it is on clearance at 35% off. The 5m ($909.35), 7m ($1,000.35) and 9m ($1,110.85) are in stock, with the list price shown crossed out on the product page. Other sizes are sold out. For a year-round alternative in every size, the Reach 2026 runs $1,579–$2,729.
FAQ
Is the North Carve good for beginners?
It is manageable, and North rates it 4/5 for ease of use. But it is designed for surf, and a new rider gets more from the Reach, which is rated 5/5 with more low end and more float.
Carve or Reach for surf?
For dedicated wave riding, the Carve: it turns faster (5/5 against 4/5) and is shaped for drift. If you also twintip, foil or jump, the Reach is the better single kite, and it still surfs well.
What size Carve should I get?
Match your usual wind to North's table. The 9m covers 14–28 knots and the 7m covers 18–32. Heavier riders can go a size up, and lighter riders a size down.