When you purchase gear through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Here’s why you can trust our tests and our affiliate partner.
North’s new Atmos, Atmos Pro and Astra feature an exciting development, an exclusive “3DY Technology”. We asked Product Manager Brent Tucker to talk us through the boards.
Photo here Kyle Cabano
Please explain what 3DY means and how it affects the boards’ performance.
When designing a board, we always consider how it will be loaded during use. This helps us determine where in the board you want stiffness and where you want flexibility. Composites allow you to engineer products with strength or flexibility only in specific areas, reducing wasted weight, and our new 3DY Beam Technology takes full advantage of this approach.
When you’re riding, the board isn’t completely flat; it sits at an angle with the trailing tip bearing the most load. To address this, we have incorporated unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber, running from the tip to the binding, where you apply the load. This reinforcement prevents the tip from flexing and releasing the pressure you want to maintain.
Carbon UD strips also run lengthwise between the fins and between the bindings (thus the “Y”), providing stiffness along the board where you need it without adding unnecessary weight.
All three boards feature this carbon construction but with differences across them. Talk us through the different constructions and how each suits its intended use.
The Astra, Atmos and Atmos Pros are from the same Big Air family. They share similar outlines and shapes but are designed for three different riders.
The Astra is designed for lighter riders and offers the most flex of the three models. Its base laminate uses custom biaxial e-glass, consisting of 70% of the fibers oriented lengthwise and 30% oriented across the board. Additionally, the 3DY provides targeted stiffness. The Astra is available in smaller sizes (127×37, 132×38 and 135×39) with a narrower stance.
The Atmos will accommodate the widest range of riders. It derives its medium flex from a triaxial e-glass construction, where the fiber is oriented along the board and of ±45 degrees, along with the 3DY carbon, for increased stiffness without adding too much more weight. The Hybrid Carbon layup is a little more forgiving on your knees!
The Atmos Pro is the stiffest board with a full carbon laminate, making it ideal for bigger riders or those seeking to maximize their performance for bigger jumps. The Atmos Pro Carbon is crafted from layers of 12K spread tow carbon and 300gsm triaxial carbon – top and bottom – for greater torsional and longitudinal board stiffness. We also run the North exclusive 3DY-unidirectional carbon tapes top and bottom.
The real difference with a carbon laminate is not just the stiffness; it’s the reflex or energy return – how fast it springs back to shape. The amount of energy you put in equals what you get back, which is why more aggressive riders gravitate to carbon boards. The flip side is that carbon is much stiffer, so it takes more power to store the energy.
What have you done with the bottom of the boards? They all feature a double concave, right?
Yes, they all feature the same double concave to deep-v center spine and updated quad channel tips. This design provides a secure, locked-in feeling and better tracking. It also helps break the water’s surface tension when landing, resulting in a smoother landing than a flat-bottomed board. New grip channels outside of the double concave deliver even greater edge control.
And what about the rockers – how do they vary across all three boards?
We’ve specifically designed these boards for different types of riders. As a result, they are pressed slightly differently to ensure they maintain similar performance characteristics. Each board features the same medium rocker with balanced flex but a distinct feel due to its flex pattern. The Pro model has a slightly stiffer laminate layup. In contrast, the Astra has a much more forgiving layup tailored to the load it will be subjected to.
What bindings would you recommend for use with the boards and what accessories are available?
Either the Flex Pro or Flex bindings are a good choice. The Flex Pros provide a much more locked-in and comfortable ride, and with four sizes, you’ll get the perfect fit.
Last year, we increased the TwinTip handle height by 10mm to help with the board-offs trend, but we also offer TT handle extension spacers to add another 15mm. We’ve found the taller handle easier to grab when you’re learning or lack flexibility.
Our team riders also like to install the Grab-It Rail on those new longer integrated grab channels on the Big Air boards.
Talk to us about the QR code on the boards. This unlocks a wealth of features!
So, the QR code is part of the new North and Mystic Digital Product Passport system, and we’ve included it on all MY25 boards, kites and wings. When you receive your new board or kite, you can scan the unique QR code and add the gear to your locker room. This process grants you a free Club North membership and registers each item for our 180+ extended warranty. Once you have gear in your locker room, you’ll have access to detailed information, including direct links to its product page, so you can easily find manuals and specifications.
I personally believe the best Digital Passport Feature, especially for boards, is the Lost and Found capability. If you’ve registered your product and someone finds it, they can scan the QR. This action will prompt an email to you with the finder’s details, allowing you to be reunited with your board. Additionally, we are working on a feature enabling you to report a product as lost or stolen, reducing the appeal of reselling stolen items. Of course, you can also deregister products, making it possible to transfer ownership to the new owner when you decide to sell.
Awesome! Finally, who has been involved with the redesign and testing of the boards?
The North Product Development team collaborated extensively throughout the process, focusing on designing the boards and custom materials with our manufacturing partner. Big Marc Jacobs conducted much of the testing, along with several members of our local crew and office team – there must be some perks for kiters working at North! Once the designs were around 90% complete, we distributed boards to our international team riders for their feedback.
You can get the latest goodness from the world of kiteboarding by subscribing to our print edition. You'll get 5 packed issues, plus a free tee and free digital access. And you'll be directly helping with our sustainability efforts too!
Check it out now
