2023 North Code Zero Kite

I am biased as I am a North School, but this kite is truly revolutionary for foiling or strapless.

The kite has very little flutter, it has a huge wind range, and it relaunches, and reverse launches better than any kite I have ever flown.

I am between 210-220 lbs and have been able to ride the 9M in 6knots, and at 10 knots I am extremely comfortably powered (I typically kite foil on the 1850 front wing just fyi.)

I never thought I would buy a kite just for foiling, but this kite really is worth it, if you are a foiler, I wouldn't hesitate at all, because you WILL NOT be disappointed.

My family has mostly 2021/2022 North Reach kites, which are wonderful in their designed wind range for most of my family. Great all around kite, easy to relaunch.

But my youngest (90 lbs with wet wetsuit!) has really struggled with 7 and 9 in lighter wind (9-13 knots) outside of the wind range a given sized Reach was designed for. Lots of stalling, backflying, especially when wet. He had been making progress and could ride both ways, but spent a lot of time getting the kite back up and fighting to keep it in the sky despite good kite skills. He had not been getting the sustained rides where you really accelerate your riding and was frustrated to see his heavier brother cruising on a 12m in the same wind.

We were able to get him out on a Code Zero 9m yesterday after recommendation from Travis. After initially using the Reach 7 or 9m with rides but more of the same(he didn't want to try a new kite), he finally tried the Code Zero and was almost instantly getting sustained rides. Night and day. Literally first tack 400 yards upwind, turned and did it again the other way. Repeat. It behaved like the 12M Reach that older brother (130 lbs) was riding in same wind. Code Zero just stayed in air almost no matter what and that made all the difference. He no longer was spending 90% of his time keeping it in the air. He relaunched it twice in 10-12 knots in deep water over next hour. This is a great light air kite for kids.

I have been riding this kite a lot lately and just loving it. This kite is solid in every performance category of a foiling kite. It is very responsive and predictable in its steering, de-powers instantly, drifts, re-launches easily, and has a great wind range. My previous go to kite has been the Core X-Lite, great kite, but after riding the Code Zero I feel like it is a much better kite. The trailing edge definitely does not flutter as much as the X-Lite as it turns through the power which is a nice aesthetic, adds to the quiet, stealthness of foiling. The 9M has been working really well for me in that light wind zone of 8-18mph, plenty of power. Pairs really well with the Navigator bar. Nice job North!

I am not the biggest fan of single strut kites for foiling as I feel like they are a little soft and don't really have the necessary grunt to boost with nor have the hang time to put you back into the water softly. This kite does both of those things and very well. It is also really well behaved and doesn't back stall through turns or stall out when you ride against it like the Reach. It is also incredibly light, turns really quickly and provides the perfect amount of bar pressure so that you can fly it without looking at it. Excellent surprise and definitely will foil on it again!

Flew this kite for the first time yesterday foiling in the ocean. I had watched the designer's notes and recognized that this kite is supposed to have power for its size, so I took a 9m in 13mph when I would normally take a size or two more. The 9 was perfect (I weigh 130lbs) and exceeded my expectations. No fluttering or too light of bar feel like other single strut kites I have flown. Incredibly easy to fly one handed, and balanced. Drifted well, though I'd like to see how much it drifts actually riding waves. I did have some moments where I was overpowered, and the Code Zero was not running out of control or losing a significant amount of performance. Really impressive.

I'm extremely excited about this kite and I think it will redefine my quiver for foiling. I know I will be able to take smaller kites and still be powered up. Further, I think this will be a great kite for beginners to learn on, especially small adults and children.

As far as the bar goes, I was pleased with the North bar set up and had no want for a light foil bar. However, though foil-specific control bars are available in other brands, the impressive performance of this kite will have you devoted.