Short answer: the North Cross is the kite surfboard to buy if you want one board for small waves, flat-water strapless riding and onshore days. North rates it 5 out of 5 for small-wave drive, strapless freestyle and paddle-and-float, and 3 out of 5 for high-wind control, which is the honest shape of an all-rounder. It comes in 5'1", 5'3" and 5'5" for riders of roughly 65, 80 and 95 kg, and the 2024 model is $1,279 as of this post. Riders who surf real waves first and kite second should read the Charge Pro section before buying.
North's own ratings
North scores its surfboards on four axes. These are the brand's numbers for the three boards in the range:
| Axis (out of 5) | Cross 2024 | Charge Pro 2024 | Comp Pro 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small-wave drive | 5 | 4 | — |
| High-wind control | 3 | 5 | — |
| Strapless freestyle | 5 | 4 | built for it |
| Paddle and float | 5 | 3 | — |
| Role, in North's words | Freeride surf | Performance surf | Strapless freestyle surf |
| Construction | EcoLite impact-resistant bamboo | Futurelite carbon Integra | Dynalite carbon-reinforced |
| Price, as of this post | $1,279 | $1,379 | $899 (from $1,349) |
The Cross gives up high-wind control, and only that. North's description says why: a compact surf outline with reduced nose and tail width, a low-entry rocker for acceleration, rounded low-profile rails for grip, and a full-length bottom channel into a deeper V. All of that is tuned for drive and forgiveness in small waves and for landing strapless tricks. The Charge Pro runs the opposite way: a faster outline, deeper concave, less width, and a carbon layup, for a rider who wants to carve hard in bigger waves and stay composed fully powered.
Which size
North prints a rider weight and a volume for every length. Width and thickness grow with it:
| Cross length | Volume | Width | Thickness | Rider weight | Fins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5'1" | 21 L | 18" | 2 1/8" | 65 kg (143 lb) | M |
| 5'3" | 23 L | 18 1/2" | 2 3/16" | 80 kg (176 lb) | M/L |
| 5'5" | 25 L | 19" | 2 1/4" | 95 kg (209 lb) | L |
Between two rows, take the longer board if you are new to surfboards or ride light wind, the shorter if you are experienced and want it to turn. North rates every Cross size for novice and intermediate riders. For comparison the Charge Pro runs 5'5" (23 L) for 65 kg up to 5'11" (28 L) for 95 kg: a size longer and a litre or two less for the same rider, because a dedicated surf shape gets its float from length, not width. The surfboard size guide has all three boards side by side.
What is in the box, and what is not
Board with EVA deck pad. Fins are sold separately, and so are straps if you want them. The 2024 Cross has FCS II boxes, which take click-in FCS II fins and screw-in FCS I fins, and new inserts that let you run it as a thruster or a quad. Pick the fin size from the table above. A kite surfboard also wants a leash: Mystic's Surf Leash is $53.99.
The Cross Pro 2025 is the same shape in a lighter layup, 5'1", 5'3" and 5'5", at $1,479; it is out of stock as of this post and North's spec sheet for it is not in our data, so we will not describe what we cannot show.
Honest limit: we have no independent review of the Cross; this is North's rating, North's chart and North's construction notes. Two cautions follow from the numbers. The 3/5 for high-wind control is real: a 25-litre board with rounded rails will skip when you are overpowered, so the Cross wants a kite sized for the day rather than a big one held down. And as of this post only the 5'5" is in stock, which is the 95 kg board. An 80 kg rider should wait for the 5'3" or ask our gear advisor what else fits; it will also size the kite, where the surf-shaped Carve or the all-round Reach is the usual partner.
FAQ
Is the Cross good for strapless beginners?
Yes. North rates it 5/5 for paddle-and-float and for every size as novice-friendly, and the extra width over a dedicated surf shape is what makes the first strapless water starts easier.
Cross or Charge Pro for waves?
Small, soft waves and mixed sessions: Cross. Head-high and up, or strong wind: Charge Pro, which North rates 5/5 for high-wind control against the Cross's 3/5.
Does the Cross come with fins?
No. It ships with the deck pad only. The FCS II boxes take FCS II or FCS I fins, thruster or quad, in M for the 5'1", M/L for the 5'3" and L for the 5'5".