Research & Development
Different spots require different equipment.
For this reason, we decided to set up two R&D centres, one on Gran Canaria and one on Maui. Whether sideshore or onshore, wind chop or clean waves as high as a house, beachbreak or reef breaks: these two spots allow us to test and develop a product under all imaginable conditions. In addition, we regularly make cross checks on Lake Garda, Italy, especially when it comes to freeride products. Parallel to these tests, we also try to stay close to the local windsurfing community, since a major part of our development work consists of "listening" to the needs of windsurfers. After all, it's the only way to consider their expectations, requirements, and improvement proposals.
KAI HOPF - THE BRAIN
The Australian, a former World Cup competitor who has worked longer for the same brand than anyone else, is one of the world's most influential designers. Kai, who also develops high-grade fin profiles, still prefers to spend most of his time on the water to thoroughly test the designs himself and to live his passion. He's been the head of sail development at NORTH SAILS for more than 15 years, amassing a treasure of experience that's simply irreplaceable. H is 2008 collection is an impressive demonstration of what state-of-the-art sails should look like. Be sure to take a look at the brand new RAM F8 and PRISMA sails that fire the imagination of racers and further reduce the coefficient of friction.
BJÖRN DUNKERBECK - THE AMBASSADOR OF WINDSURFING
Björn Dunkerbeck is the personification of windsurfing. His charisma, his athletic stature, and not least his endless string of successes have turned him into a media star and an ambassador of windsurfing. Björn and NORTH SAILS are a perfect combination, since our common objective is to bring the fascination of windsurfing to as many people as possible. Björn, who defended his World Champion title for not less than twelve years in a row until 1999 and is today considered a living legend, set a historical record in 2005 by winning his 34th title, something no other athlete has ever achieved in any other sports discipline. Oh, and by the way, Björn also set a new world speed record over the nautical mile on a WARP F2007. His unbelievable average speed of 76.19 km/h will go down in the history books once again. This brings the most successful windsurfer of all times a bit closer to his target of becoming the first to break the 50-knot barrier.
JIMMY DIAZ
One of the most respected pro windsurfers and testers in the whole windsurfing world, Jimmy Diaz is the heart and soul of the entire R&D team and brings the team together. Jimmy is an active pro-windsurfer in Slalom and Formula since several years and puts all his expertise of numerous competitions in all kind of conditions right into our sail development. He is personally involved in the testing of every sail in the NORTH SAILS range. He "uses" all testers and coordinates the testing to get the necessary feedback in time to Kai (Jimmy tests sails since 13 years - 7 of them for NORTH SAILS). Jimmy and Kai are friends from the early days at NORTH SAILS. They all aren't afraid to speak their mind in front of one another and they will support each other trough thick and thin. Jimmy is well known for his great enthusiasm, accuracy and patience reflecting his high claim to develop state-of-the-art sails.
Nik Baker
Nik Baker, the British World Cup legend giving always strong input especially on the wave and freeride sails (Nik tests sails since 16 years - for NORTH SAILS since 8 years).
Daida Moreno
Daida is the most successful female windsurfer ever and makes sure that she is not forgotten in the development of wave and freestyle sails (Daida is actually being more and more integrated into the testing for North Sails since 5 years).
Peter Volwater
One of the best all-rounders in the PWA tour Peter joined the North test team 2 years ago. He uses his great expertise of many years of wave, slalom and speed competitions to provide valuable test feedback to Kai and Jimmy.
Peter Slate
Peter came on board mid of 07. As the former head tester of Neil Pryde Peter brings years of experience into the R&D team. Besides Jimmy he is one of the most experienced testers especially for Freeride sails. Since Peter is living on Maui, he is Jimmy's testing partner there.