North Sails Soul.Wave - 4.8

North Sails Soul.Wave

The North Soul. How was it possible that previously we used to get out there in all wind and wave conditions and almost always had fun, even if the wind was not very strong or extremely gusty? Why did you always have the feeling that even in sub-planing conditions you had a stable unit with a board and rig to support your balance? These questions have been agonizing Kai Hopf for years; now he is giving the answers with the new SOUL.

With the unconventional concept of the SOUL, designer Kai Hopf is treading in new grounds. In search of the easygoing early-planer, which offers enough stability when crossing the white water even in sub-planing conditions, only to shine with great handling when going down-the-line.

When reflecting on the Soul Kai describes the smooth characteristics of the power delivery being similar to being in control of a throttle on an engine. With the real soul surfer in mind, he said goodbye to high-performance, high-tension/loose-leech sails, which offer extreme performance and great high-end control, but at the same time are very nervous and “sensitive”. The new sail wasn’t designed to reach maximum speed, but instead fun sessions, even in lousy conditions.

With the SOUL Kai Hopf managed a direct hit, exactly meeting the criteria. The relatively tight leech in combination with the light batten design and the more forward draft position gives the sailor a lot of feedback even when bobbing around.

Thanks to the softer Dacron luff you always feel how much power is available and how to use it in the best way. The backhand controls the smooth transition from acceleration to reducing the propulsion and vice versa, which uses the wide range of “throttle positions”, this in particular makes riding the wave incredibly easy.

Rarely playing in the waves, but also classic freestyle, in changing conditions has been so much fun: The brand new SOUL transforms Windsurfing into real Soul Surfing, promised!