Short answer: the North Nova is North's easy, all-round freeride wing, the one testers put beginners and intermediates on. North rates it 5/5 for stability and 4/5 for low-end power, pumping and handling. It ships with a carbon boom already fitted and comes in six sizes from 3.5m to 7m. The Nova Pro is the stiffer, more direct step up, and its handles are sold separately.
North's ratings: Nova vs Nova Pro
| Dial (out of 5) | Nova | Nova Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end grunt | 4 | 4 |
| Top-end speed | 3 | 4 |
| Pumping response | 4 | 4 |
| Handling | 4 | 5 |
| Stability | 5 | 4 |
The Nova gives up some top-end speed for the steadiest wing in the range. The Nova Pro trades a point of stability for sharper handling and more speed when it is loaded up.
Which size for your wind
North publishes the Nova's wind ranges as a chart image rather than a table. The guide below is ours, for a rider around 80 kg (176 lb). Lighter riders go down a size and heavier riders go up one.
| Nova 2026 size | Wind it suits, ~80 kg rider (knots) | Price as of this post |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5m | 28+ | $1,199 |
| 4.2m | 20–28 | $1,259 |
| 4.8m | 15–22 | $1,309 |
| 5.4m | 15–22 | $1,359 |
| 6.2m | 10–16 | $1,419 |
| 7m | 10–16 | $1,469 |
If you are buying one wing, the 4.8m or 5.4m covers the most days for an 80 kg rider. Two wings about 1.5m apart, such as a 4.2m and a 5.4m, cover most spots. Board volume matters as much as wing size while you are learning. The wing foil size chart covers both, and the wing sizing page has North's charts.
What changed for 2026, and what testers found
The 2026 Nova is a refinement, not a redesign. It has a new RS3 triple-ripstop canopy and a carbon UDi stringer. Reviewers found it noticeably lighter in the hand than the 2025 and steadier through gusts and pumping, with better neutral drift when you ride swell with the wing flagged out. Testers also reported:
- Waterstarts need very little pumping.
- The short span keeps the tips clear of the water.
- It goes upwind easily from the first sessions.
- Despite the Dacron airframe, magazine testers saw almost no flex or canopy flutter at the top of its range.
The fixed Griplock carbon boom has printed hand-position marks and unscrews for packing. Dual HyperFlow valves let you run the strut at a higher pressure than the leading edge.
Honest limit: the Nova has a freestyle ceiling. Testers found solid lift for jumps but slightly slow rotations. If you want maximum stiffness and top-end speed, reviewers steer you to the Nova Pro or the Mode Pro. Our wind guide is a starting point, not North's chart. Gusty wind, chop and a small board all push you toward the bigger size. Tell the gear advisor your weight, board and usual wind and it will give you one size.
Nova or Nova Pro?
As of this post, the Nova 2026 is $1,199–$1,469 with every size in stock, boom included. The Nova Pro 2026 runs 2.2m to 6.2m at $1,199–$1,549. It uses North's ShiftLock track, so you add your choice of boom or handles on top of that price. Shop guidance from reviewers matches ours. The Nova is the value pick for most riders. The Pro earns its premium for riders who push upwind drive, jumping and top-end response, and for heavier riders who benefit from its stiffer frame. Both are in the wings collection.
FAQ
Is the North Nova good for beginners?
Yes. It is the wing reviewers most often recommend for learning. North rates it 5/5 for stability, it waterstarts with little pumping, and it comes with the boom fitted, so nothing else is needed to fly it.
What size Nova should I get?
For a rider around 80 kg: the 6.2m or 7m for 10–16 knots, the 4.8m or 5.4m for 15–22, the 4.2m for 20–28, and the 3.5m above that. Size down if you are lighter.
Does the Nova Pro come with handles?
No. On North's Pro wings (Nova Pro, Mode Pro and Loft Pro), the boom or handles are sold separately and clamp onto the ShiftLock track. The standard Nova ships with a Griplock carbon boom already fitted.