Aerodynamical Engineer Steve Calder on R&D

At the pinnacle of sail design, North Sails designer and former Olympic and World Champion sailor Steve Calder has been instrumental in the development of revolutionary aerodynamic and structural solutions for many iterations of America’s Cup race boats. 

He now brings his technical knowledge and depth of experience in data-driven design and engineering from the sport’s highest calibre boats to kite and wing design. 

Born in Detroit Michigan, Steve began sailing at an early age, started racing at 13, and began sailmaking at 16. He went on to win a Bronze Medal for Canada in the 1984 Olympics and a World Championship title in the Soling Class. Steve became hooked on kiting when his son Kai, now a semi-pro kitefoil racer, introduced Steve to kitesurfing in 2012.

Over the past three years the North Brand has undergone exceptional growth, and as a response, have strengthened our kick-ass team of designers with the addition of four new faces: Pepijn Smit (Kite Design), Dano See (Wing & Kite Design) Steve Calder (Wing & Kite R&D) and Dave Little (Materials Innovation). 

Brand Director Mike Raper says; "New designs, new materials, and the addition of an exciting new windwing range, has meant we needed more horsepower, investment in R&D and investment in the right people. People with open minds, who are able to think outside the box, real innovators." 

“At North, we’re on a mission to become market leaders in all categories, and we have aspirations to change the way we ride." 

“In bringing this team together, we diversify our experience and increase our collective knowledge. When the design knowledge is shared, ideas are transplanted – and that’s what creates the magic. As Ryunosuke Satoro put it: “Individually we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”