Kiteboarding Board Size Chart

Which kiteboarding board is right for you? This is a question we field on a regular basis at our kiteboarding school on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Similar to other board sports like surfing and snowboarding, there are board sizes that are favorable and recommended toward certain body types and less favorable to others.

It's vital that you choose the board and kite that fits your experience level, height and weight. Having the proper gear for your body type can be the difference between easily getting up on the board and kiteboarding like champ or falling flat on your face. No one likes falling on his or her face.

It's generally recommended that beginner kiteboarders should buy a larger kiteboard and pair it with a smaller kite. (Kite size recommendations vary greatly based on wind conditions, but that's a separate topic altogether.) For the majority of people, it's easier to get used to flotation and balance on a bigger kiteboard. There is a reason surfing and stand up paddleboarding beginner lessons involve participants using a bigger board. Generally speaking, the larger the board, the easier it is to balance while floating on the water.

During our kiteboarding lessons, after our students get the hang of flying a kiteboarding kite, we strap them onto a large kiteboard to practice taking off from a sitting position. The larger the board, the less power needed to get up and going. The smaller the board, the more control you have at high speeds while kiteboarding. 

Which Kiteboarding Board Size is Right For You?

Your Weight	Recommended Board Length	Recommended Board Width
125-150 lbs	127-137 cm	41 cm
150-180 lbs	135-145 cm	43 cm
180-210 lbs	140-148 cm	45 cm
+ 210 lbs	148-165 cm	46 cm

Keep in mind that the optimal wind conditions for learning to kiteboard are when the winds are in the 12 to 25 mph range. You don't want to try kiteboarding when it's blowing over 25 mph unless you really know what you're doing.