Thurso Surf Waterwalker
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
The Waterwalker 132 from Thurso Surf is an affordable, durable, inflatable paddle board that’s designed for paddlers who are interested in an all around board. The board is nice and stable and is best for paddling short distances up to a couple miles or so, and in calm flat water. The Waterwalker also comes fully loaded with all items needed to get on the water as quickly as possible which is a nice perk. The board is also available in 3 different colorways so there’s some variety for you to choose from. Priced at $849 this board sits in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.
First Impressions
The 2022 version of the Waterwalker is the 3rd iteration of this board that we’ve reviewed. We first reviewed the model back in 2018 and did another one in 2020. We’re pleased to note that with each update we keep noticing an improvement and this 2022 version is no different. One of the biggest downsides on the earlier versions was the weight of the board but with this version there’s been considerable improvement. The board now weighs 24.4 lbs which makes such a big difference when carrying and paddling. For 2022, the board also got updated on the graphics which is also an improvement. There’s more coordination with the colors of the board matching with the deckpad showing more thought was put into it. Speaking of the deckpad, the material used was really soft, comfortable and easy to grip with your feet. Now here’s the kicker and another great feature we don’t see all-too-often in inflatable boards: carbon rails. The infusion of carbon rails here really help with the rigidity of the board. Well done! As with the previous versions the board does have a lot of add on’s with bungees on the nose and tail of the board, added d-rings, extra handles on the nose and tail, a keyless 3-fin setup and a paddle holder on the rail and comes with a very nice bag with the large wheels that make it easy to transport as a luggage piece and is still one of the best that we’ve seen on the market. Additionally, and this is something we don’t see all too often is the fin setup with 3 removable fins. Typically we see with inflatables either 1 removable center fin or the two sidebites are built in, but here, all 3 fins are removable. Carrying the board down to the water was manageable, especially with the decrease in weight. Once on the board it was nice and stable. Instantly I felt confident; I believe if I was a beginner, this is definitely an inflatable board you would want to learn on. When turning the board it doesn't feel wobbly, it kind of just is a smooth flat surface. Overall, this board is great for beginners and it’s going to last you a long time the way it’s made. It’s beautifully designed with the bright colors, eye-catching. With all the updates, improvements and features this board has, we’re giving it the well deserved upgrade and grading it an A for being an all around inflatable
Benefits
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Primary Use
All AroundPaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
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Durability
DurableDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
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Stability
StableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
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Glide
AverageGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.
Learn more on the Thurso Surf website.
Features
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Dimensions
11' x 32" x 6"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
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Weight
24.4 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
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Volume
300 LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.
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Capacity
160 - 210 lbsCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
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Add On's
Bungee Nose, Bungee Tail, D Ring, Paddle Holder, Paddle Included, Leash Included, Camera Holder, Handle on nose, Handle on tail, Come with 3 snap in fins.Add-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; Connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.
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Handle
StrapHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
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Holders
YesFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|
| 10 Feet 0 Inches | 30 Inches | 6 Inches | 240 L |
| 10 Feet 6 Inches | 31 Inches | 6 Inches | 270 L |
| 11 Feet 0 Inches | 32 Inches | 6 Inches | 300 L |
Previous Versions: 2020
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker is a bit interesting because it’s much heavier than your typical inflatable SUP so with that weight you expect the board to have added layers for reinforcement, making it far more durable than anything out there. At the same time, it’s not any stiffer which is what you would expect with those extra layers. The board does have a lot of add on’s with bungees on the nose and tail of the board, added d-rings, extra handles on the nose and tail, a keyless 3-fin setup and a paddle holder on the rail. The board is fairly stable and is a nice complete package with the paddle and leash included. The bag is also quite impressive with the large wheels that make it easy to transport as a luggage piece and is one of the best that we’ve seen on the market so far.
Previous Versions: 2018
At first glance the Waterwalker has a nice display of graphics making the inflatable appear to have a wood deck. The design seems pretty standard for boards in the all around category and the construction of the board does appear rather durable for an inflatable. The board felt really stable, the glide was average and it was also easy to carry. The board had a few extra add on’s as a bonus which add to the value of the package. The board comes with three fins: a main center fin and two side bites. It also came with a leash, pump, 3-piece paddle, cooler bag, and backpack all making the package a great value.
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