North ShiftLock Handle

The North ShiftLock Handle is a modular carbon wing handle built around North's ShiftLock Track mounting system — a double bolt-rope track adapted from traditional sailing rigging. Introduced alongside the Nova Pro wing line, the ShiftLock system lets riders slide and lock handles into any position along a wing's strut without removing them or deflating the wing. Each handle uses lightweight carbon tubing paired with soft over-molded TPU ends that include a thumb indent for added grip and comfort. The system is secured with threaded clamps and T40 screws, and North states a breaking load that exceeds 710 kg per lab testing.

The ShiftLock Handle ships as a single carbon handle with two threaded clamps, two screw-side clamps, and two T40 M6x23mm screws. A Torx T40 tool is required for installation but is not included. Repositioning after initial setup is straightforward: loosen the mounting screw one revolution, slide the handle along the track, and re-tighten.

• Material (shaft): Lightweight carbon tubing
• Handle ends: Over-molded TPU with thumb indent
• Track system: Tight-woven Dacron polyester rope encasing
• Breaking load: 710+ kg (lab tested)
• Available sizes: 250mm (188 g), 400mm (216 g), 500mm (242 g), 950mm Boom (242 g), 1100mm Boom (335 g)
• Hardware included: 2 threaded clamps, 2 screw-side clamps, 2 T40 M6x23mm screws
• Tool required: Torx T40 (not included)

The ShiftLock Handle suits intermediate to advanced wing foilers who want precise, customizable handle placement without the bulk of a full boom. Riders who prefer direct, immediate feedback from their wing will appreciate the stiff carbon construction, while the TPU ends soften contact during falls or board bumps. Because the handles are sold individually, riders can mix sizes — pairing a shorter 250mm front handle with a longer 400mm or 500mm rear handle, for example — to dial in ergonomics for their stance and riding style.

North recommends the 250mm handles for all wing sizes, the 1100mm boom or dual 500mm handles for wings 6 m and above, and the 950mm boom or individual handles for the Nova Pro 2.9 m. The system is compatible with all current North Pro wing models from 2025 onward but is not compatible with GripLock Rigid Handle wings. It also works with North Wing Harness Loops in S, M, and L sizes.

The ShiftLock Handle sits within North's broader ShiftLock ecosystem, which also includes the ShiftLock Paddle Mount and an action camera mount that snaps to the front or rear of the track. The handle line itself spans from the compact 250mm option up to the 1100mm boom — the longest and lightest single-unit option with just two connection points versus four on a dual-handle setup. For riders who want a full boom feel rather than individual handles, the 950mm and 1100mm boom lengths provide that continuous grip surface while still benefiting from the slide-and-lock positioning.

Compared to conventional soft or Velcro-mounted wing handles, the ShiftLock system trades universal compatibility for a tighter, more responsive connection to the wing. It requires a ShiftLock-equipped North wing, so it is not a drop-in replacement for handles on other brands' wings. Within the North catalog, the ShiftLock Handle effectively replaces fixed-position rigid handles, giving riders tool-free adjustability once assembled.