North Pro Series 5'6" 2015

I was quite intrigued when I first saw the radical difference in shape to previous boards. With the wide tail and squared off nose, I was really curious about how this design would perform. Having seen the Firewire Vanguard (Tomo) videos, and talked with mates claiming similar boards to be their all-time favourite, I was becoming more confident that this board was likely to work exceptionally well.

On the water, there was an instant sense of oneness. The board rides light and loose like the previous Pro Series boards. Acceleration is excellent and board planes in an instant.

In a straight line, the board seems to lock in and slice through chop giving a really smooth ride. Although my test ride was in a rough, dumping beach break, I imagine this characteristic would really help on the choppy face of the biggest wind blown waves. It feels so locked in that I started to wonder how well it would turn. This is where things got even more exciting.

A small amount of foot pressure would send the board into a responsive, smooth, fast, controlled turn. Bottom turns seem to be faster and tighter than ever possible on other boards. You can plane through the tightest turns without bogging down and the faster ride may take a few sessions to get used to. This would be one of the more exhilarating characteristics of the board and helps to explain how some of the current top surfers are able to maintain such amazing speed and flow.

Off the lip, the board snaps around in an instant making it a perfect choice for smaller beach breaks. This also entices you to go deeper into the pocket of even the dumpiest waves and the smooth, agile nature of the board spits you out with surprising control and speed.

The board trucks up wind and apparently this was also the feedback from the initial dealer meeting.

Aerials in the conditions I had were more of the quick and easy flavour rather than long and drawn out glide. The shorter board and lack of nose makes it super agile under foot and in the air.

Most people will already be aware of the high quality of North equipment. The construction and finish is outstanding and I imagine the durability will be excellent. Deck pads give added grip, plushness and eliminate the hassles of wax. There are no obvious weak spots like traditional boards with super thin noses that tend to display the signs of more adventurous manoeuvres.

At just under the 70kg mark, I've gone for the 5'6" model which is the smallest of the range. In previous years I've gone for the middle sized Pro Series which has always felt amazing but just a touch over finned and harder to lock into tighter turns.

My board is from Action Sports WA (now in Balcatta) and I know they have just added a 5'8" to their demo fleet. If you're after a competition level board with a user friendly feel I would definitely recommend giving this board a try.

Hi ,any idea what is better strapless between new and old one .
I do not like much going high speed down the wave ,then without noose and being so fast some afraid of buying it.
sold previous proseries 6.2( too big ) and kontact 5.11(too sinking)
Have some money and like kids can't wait of buying something ,but no wind for next week and rare occasion of something called a "wave " here in rome italy .
new one will be 800 euros
old one ,already tried like so much(5.11) 660
I was going for the old one but not completely sure of spending so much for something already "old"
77 kg medium level
help!
ciao

Hi Piccio,

The new Pro Series is a completely different ride from 2014. The "vanguard" shape is faster through the water and carries it's speed into every turn you can muster. If you really liked the feel and ride of the previous Pro Series, look at buying the new 2015 WAM. It is essentially the same board as last years Pro Series. The WAM has so much "bite" in the turn, but will wash off a little speed if you crank it too tight. Having said that, the type of tight, bucket throwing turn on that board is sooooo sick!

The Pro of 2015 is smoother in chop, and faster where the WAM 2015, is much more bouncey in chop, and only reveals it's true nature to you when you are on the wave face.

I love both boards and I also loved last years Pro Series, but the new WAM just looks so sexy in the retro spray.

All three boards are excellent, just need to have a clear picture in your mind of the type of surfing you really want to be doing.

DM