2024 North Nova Wing

The 2024 North Nova Wing is North's freeride-focused inflatable wing, sitting in the brand's lineup as its accessible all-round option. Now in a refined iteration for the 2024 model year, the Nova uses a Dacron airframe paired with North's N-HTRS canopy material and incorporates several updates over previous versions. Chief among the 2024 changes is the addition of Carbon UDi Technology in the wingtips, which stiffens the leading edge tips so the frame recovers its shape more quickly after deformation during maneuvers. North also revised the draft position and depth for improved balance and added a radial load diffuser at the strut-canopy junction to distribute tension more evenly across the canopy. An N-X6 panel frames the trailing edge to reduce distortion under load. The wing uses two bolt-on rigid handles with a round profile, and TPU bump stops on the handle fronts help prevent hand fatigue.

• Available sizes: 1.9m, 2.5m, 2.9m, 3.5m, 4.2m, 5m, 6m
• Canopy material: N-HTRS
• Airframe: Lightweight Dacron with Carbon UDi Technology wingtips
• Trailing edge: N-X6 panel
• Handle system: Two bolt-on rigid handles (Torx driver removable)
• Wind range (3.5m): 16–34 knots
• Wind range (5m): 9–24 knots
• Colors: Red Sea, Pacific Blue, Marine Green

The Nova is aimed at riders from beginner through intermediate level who want a forgiving, easy-to-handle wing with strong low-end power. Its generous pull at lower wind speeds means riders can get on foil without aggressive pumping, which is particularly helpful for those still developing their technique. The wide wind range across the size spread — from the 6m covering 9–22 knots down to the 2.5m reaching above 40 knots — lets riders cover a broad set of conditions with one or two sizes.

More experienced riders who prioritize ease and comfort over aggressive performance will also find the Nova useful as a freeride and light-wind session wing. Its upwind tracking and stable power delivery suit relaxed cruising, transitions, and moderate jumping. Riders focused on freestyle progression or wave-oriented flying may want to look at North's Nova Pro instead, which uses stiffer canopy materials and a different handle system for more direct feedback.

Within North's 2024 wing range, the Nova sits below the Nova Pro. Both share the same general shape lineage, but the Nova Pro steps up with an N-Weave45 frame segment, a stiffer Matrix canopy in high-load zones, and the ShiftLock modular handle and boom system. The Nova uses more traditional Dacron and N-HTRS construction, keeping the price considerably lower while still benefiting from the Carbon UDi wingtip technology introduced across both models for 2024.

For buyers comparing across brands, the Nova competes in the same space as wings like the Duotone Unit and the Cabrinha Mantis — mid-priced freeride designs built around accessibility and wide wind range rather than cutting-edge ultralight construction. The Nova's seven-size spread from 1.9m to 6m gives it one of the broader quiver options in its category, with the smallest size aimed at lighter riders or skateboard-based wing use.