Short answer: pick a kite surfboard by your weight, then by how you ride. On North's chart the all-round Cross is a 5'1" (21 L) for a 65 kg rider, a 5'3" (23 L) for 80 kg and a 5'5" (25 L) for 95 kg. The performance Charge Pro runs a size longer, 5'5" to 5'11". Newer riders and light-wind days go up a size.
North's charts, side by side
North prints a rider weight next to every board length. These are North's numbers; the pound conversions are ours.
| Rider weight | Cross (all-round) | Charge Pro (performance surf) | Comp Pro (strapless freestyle) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 kg (143 lb) | 5'1" · 21 L | 5'5" · 23 L | 4'10" · 10 L |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | — | 5'7" · 24 L | — |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 5'3" · 23 L | — | 5'0" · 11 L |
| 85 kg (187 lb) | — | 5'9" · 26 L | — |
| 95 kg (209 lb) | 5'5" · 25 L | 5'11" · 28 L | 5'2" · 12 L |
If your weight sits between two rows, the length between them is your size. An 82 kg (180 lb) rider is a Cross 5'3" or a Charge Pro 5'7"–5'9".
Two patterns stand out. Across the Cross and Charge Pro, North gives you roughly 0.26 to 0.35 litres of board per kilogram of rider. Lighter riders get the higher ratio. And the Comp Pro is not on the same scale at all: 10 to 12 litres is far less than your body weight needs to float. It is a board you only stand on while the kite is pulling, built for strapless tricks where a small, grabbable board matters more than float.
Width and thickness, for the Cross
Length alone hides how much board you get. North's full Cross chart:
| Cross length | Width | Thickness | Volume | Fins (thruster or quad) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5'1" | 18" | 2 1/8" | 21 L | M |
| 5'3" | 18 1/2" | 2 3/16" | 23 L | M/L |
| 5'5" | 19" | 2 1/4" | 25 L | L |
North rates every Cross size for novice and intermediate riders. The Charge Pro is the opposite pitch. North calls it a dedicated surf shape for powerful turns in bigger waves, with less width (18 1/8" on the 5'5") and a deeper concave.
Honest limit
North puts it plainly under its own chart: the rider weight is a recommendation "subject to ability level, wave height and wind speed." More volume makes the board easier to get going in marginal wind and easier to keep on the plane through lulls. Less volume and length make it easier to turn in real waves and to control when you are overpowered. So a heavy rider in strong wind on a clean wave can ride shorter than the chart. A lighter rider learning in 14 knots of onshore chop should ride longer. And no board chart can tell you which kite size you need; the kite sizing page does that.
What to buy
As of this post:
- Cross 2024, $1,279. The 5'1" and 5'5" are in stock; the 5'3" is sold out. This is the one-board choice for most kite surfers: strapped or strapless, small waves, onshore days.
- Charge Pro 2024, $1,379. The 5'5", 5'7" and 5'11" are in stock. For riders who surf first and ride real waves.
- Comp Pro 2024, $899, down from $1,349. Only the 4'10" is left. Strapless freestyle only.
Budget for two extras. North surfboards ship without fins; the FCSII boxes take FCS I or click-in FCSII fins, and the Cross adds quad-mode inserts. Foot straps are also sold separately. The whole range is in the surfboards collection. Riding a twin-tip instead? The twin-tip size guide covers North's chart for those.
Not sure between two sizes? Tell the gear advisor your weight, your usual wind and your waves, and it will pick a length from these charts.
FAQ
What size kite surfboard for a 180 lb rider?
180 lb is about 82 kg. On North's charts that is a Cross 5'3" (23 L, rated for 80 kg) or a Charge Pro 5'7" to 5'9" (24–26 L, rated for 75–85 kg). Go to the longer board if you are newer or ride a lot of light-wind days.
Should a beginner get a bigger kite surfboard?
Usually yes. North rates the Cross for novice and intermediate riders, and more volume makes a surfboard easier to get going and to keep moving in lulls. Once you are riding waves in steady wind, a shorter board turns more easily.
Do North kite surfboards come with fins and straps?
No. They ship with the EVA deck pad fitted. Fins and foot straps are sold separately. The FCSII fin boxes accept FCS I and click-in FCSII fins without infills, and the Cross runs thruster or quad.