The North Rhino is one of the oldest kitesurfing kites out there in terms of pedigree. While the name has remained the same the kite has undergone many changes over the years and is a far cry from the original powerhouse Rhino first put into production back in 2001. The kite isn’t drastically different from its 2008 form however, more tweaks than glaring differences have been made here.
The kite retains the “missing” centre strut design which puts a big flat power section in the middle of the kite. The bridle is still accompanied by the 5th line, but the bridling on the kite this year has been simplified. The 6-strut design features some large battens on the trailing edge near the wingtip to aid airframe stability.
The build quality is up to the usual high North standards; plenty of reinforcement patches on the wear stress points, and quality materials have been used throughout.
The Bar
The North Rhino flies on the tried and tested North 5th Element Bar, this has been in the North kites range for a number of years and has had many tweaks and improvements over the years.
The Iron Heart safety release makes a welcome return, ensuring that if you do need to get out in a hurry you can. The trim cleat is back too, this allows you to not only adjust the depower, but also trim your lines to the right lengths by pulling the rope through the back of the cleat. This allows you to set up the bar and kite in a more personal manner and it works really well.
Naturally the bar itself is of a very high quality with comfortable bar ends to keep your hands in place during kite loops.
In the Air
The Rhino is billed as the ultimate freeride kite, but it is also used to devastating effect by the race team. One thing is for sure this kite is fast and very quick through the air. Coupled with a quick board you will be flying past your mates.
The bar pressure is positive enough to let you know where the kite is at all times without being so light you don’t get any feedback. Turning on the Rhino is also precise and direct, the kite responding quickly to input from the bar and the rider. One thing we did find was that the leading edge needs to be inflated pretty hard to avoid the wingtips folding in the turn, this is a kite you really want to fill with air. A quick note should also be made to say once inflated, leave it for a minute to let the air flow to the struts then give it some more pumps. On a couple of occasions we found the leading edge had lost pressure, of course the pressure was just spreading through the kite. Inflated properly the Rhino is a demon piece of kit. The extra turn of speed allows you to get some serious hangtime, the jumps are really floaty and you get a true sense of flying with the Rhino.The last thing that impressed us, although we weren’t surprised, was the upwind ability. The Rhino flies upwind well and the large flat section in the middle of the kite provides plenty of power even at the bottom of the kites wind range.
Pros
Great pedigree, fantastic build quality with lots of attention to detail, fast powerful and great at jumping, the North Rhino 09 reminds of the Rhino’s of old, and that’s a good thing!
Cons
Just make sure you pump the kite up hard and ensure to add a little extra, it takes a few seconds for the air to get to the struts, and if you don’t close the valves off then you will find you lose a little pressure.
Overall
A very high performance freeride kite surfing kite, this will reward the more experienced riders out there with some huge airs and fast pace. If you want to go racing as well then this has to be the kite of choice.