Thurso Surf Tranquility Yoga Inflatable SUP In-Depth Review

SUP yoga. Is there anything better? If you haven’t tried it yet I encourage you to give it a go.

It can be intimidating at first because as you can imagine it is harder to keep your balance when doing even basic yoga moves on a paddle board.

I know for myself there is only a couple months out of the year where the water is warm enough that I don’t mind falling in.

So my muscles and my core are working extra hard to keep myself on that board. 🙂

However with the right yoga SUP it is far more fun and comfortable. In fact I would liken the experience to pure bliss.

The Thurso Surf Tranquility inflatable paddle board not only looks beautiful but it is functional, stable and ideal for beginner to advanced SUP yogis.

SKILL LEVEL

I have dabbled with yoga over the years. I kept up a fairly regular practice for awhile. I always found that I felt more centred and more grounded when I was doing it regularly.

I also found that I was far more flexible and my muscles remained much looser despite the fact that I trail run and paddle regularly.

So when SUP yoga became popular I thought YES that is for me! Being on the water already has a major calming effect on me.

To combine that feeling with some basic yoga moves and stretches sounded wonderful.

However although I have tried it a few times over the years it has taken me awhile to really get into it.

That changes this year. I finally have a board that inspires me to get out there and improve my skills.

I have made a goal this year to improve my SUP yoga skills and the Thurso Surf Tranquility is going to help me accomplish that.

The point is that you don’t have to be a yoga master to enjoy a SUP yoga practice. In fact I think total beginners will love this board and enjoy trying a few moves.

Plus you’ll likely get the added benefit of feeling your stresses float away with the water!

See me in action on the Tranquility yoga board in the video below:

VERSATILITY

The great thing about the Tranquility yoga SUP is that it is also a lot of fun to paddle around.

This is a board you can take on lakes, ocean or rivers and it will keep cruising along nicely.

With a yoga board it can be hard to find the right balance between one that is big enough and stable enough to actually do some yoga and/or stretches without falling off and one that still glides well in the water.

I often see yoga boards that are either way too large – ideal for yoga but definitely not for paddling. Or they are too small – harder for yoga but nice to paddle.

The Tranquility has a nice balance of stability and functionality yet it still handles itself just fine when cruising around.

I did find it harder to paddle in wind and it took more effort to keep the nose tracking straight.

It’s not fast and the stable shape makes it slower to paddle but it is very, very comfortable and I have been enjoying every minute on this ISUP.

With that, let’s take a closer look at the size and features this board offers!

SIZE

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I do like the size of this SUP. The 10’8” length is long enough that you have decent deck space to stretch out but not too long that it becomes hard to handle.

The 34” width adds a lot fo stability. Any wider and it would become a slug in the water.  Any leaner and it gets harder to balance when you’re striking your best warrior pose.

With a typical paddle board the nose and tail taper to help it glide faster and smoother through the water.

With the Tranquility the board stays quite wide and only tapers slightly at the tail and at the round nose.

This greatly improves stability and I really noticed it when I was working it out there on the water going through my yoga basics.

This design does slow the board down when actually paddling but that’s the way it goes.

The aptly named Tranquility ISUP is about taking it easy, building those core muscles, improving flexibility, tapping into your inner yogi and finding a little peace and calm.

In this busy world, who doesn’t need a little of that?!  I know I do for sure!  As someone who is naturally a go-go-go getter, those wonderful moments of tranquility are GOLD. Can you relate?

IMPORTANT FEATURES

So what’s important to look for in a yoga board? Well besides stability it is important that there is enough comfortable space to stretch out, move your feet and actually do some yoga.

LONG DECK PAD

The smooth deck pad provides great grip and comfort. I have had no issues with slipping and stayed planted firm in each position.

The deck pad reaches from the very back tail right up to almost the bungee cords. It provides plenty of room to maneuver.

WELL PLACED CARRY HANDLES

It is also important with yoga boards that there isn’t anything in the way of your feet to trip you up.

Thurso Surf has thought that through. Instead of placing the carry handle right at the center of the board like normal they have put two carry handles off to the side at the center of the board instead.

This leaves a clear path for your feet with nothing in the way.

With the carry handles off to the side you will need to carry the board a little differently than a typical SUP.

I like these carry handles and appreciate their positioning but the board is not light at 29 lb. and I did find it difficult to carry much of a distance.

However I made it work and maybe just need to build up my muscles a little more. 😉

FRONT BUNGEES

There is a small bungee cord section near the nose of the board. It is placed far enough up the board as to not be in your way but is also easy to reach from the center position.

The bungees are the perfect size for storing a water bottle and a dry bag.

With the bungees so close to the tip of the nose there is the possibly of water spraying that area while you paddle so make sure to protect any valuables in a dry bag.

D-RINGS

There are plenty of D-ring options on the Tranquility ISUP.

• 2 on each side near the center
• 4 being used up front by the bungees
• 2 at the back tail

The side D-rings can be used to either secure more gear or to secure a seat.

Thurso Surf sells a very comfortable kayak/SUP seat that easily clips to the D-rings.

The back D-rings can be used to secure your board leash or an anchor if you want to make sure you stay in one spot while you practice.

3 EASY CLIP IN FINS

The 3 fins that come with this board easily clip into their fin boxes.

I was happy to see that all three fins can be removed. This provides a little more versatility.

I would recommend securing all three fins for more stability while doing yoga. Plus with all three fins attached the board is easier to maneuver and turn.

If you are paddling in shallow water or if you want a little less drag and more speed then you can paddle with just the large centre fin.

PADDLE HOLDER

On the Tranquility the side carry handles have a velcro closure that can be used as a paddle holder.

This allows you to safely keep your paddle out of the way while you do yoga out on the water.

WEIGHT

I love the Tranquility ISUP but I do find it to be heavy. It is made to be strong and durable, which of course is a great thing.

However the weight makes it a little harder to get to and from the water.

Once you are in the water however it feels solid and sturdy.

WAHT’S IN THE BOX

In the box you will find:

• Board – Rolled up and secured with a strap.
• Backpack With Wheels
• Dual Action Hand Pump
• 10’ Coiled SUP Leash
• 3-Piece Carbon Fiber Paddle
• 3 Removable Fins
• Repair Kit – Includes 2 PVC patches, glue and a valve tightener.
• User Guide

Let’s take a closer look at some of those accessories…

BACKPACK WITH WHEELS

I was so thrilled when inflatable stand up paddle board companies started offering backpacks that open on three sides and have integrated wheels for easy pulling.

What a difference that makes! Believe me the ISUP backpacks back in the day were not that great and not nearly as functional.

The Thurso Surf backpack is a good one.

It has padded shoulder straps, a waist strap and a chest clip. So technically you can carry this bag on your back but it is heavy for going too far.

My preference for sure is to just pull it with the wheels. Sooo much easier.

The bag easily fits the board and all accessories. There is a fairly large front zippered pocket that can be used to store the leash and the fins. There is also a little ID pocket at the back.

The side mesh paddle holders are handy even though you can actually fit the paddles inside the bag.

Plus there are multiple durable carry handles for easy handling.

This bag makes it easy to store and transport your board anywhere you need to go.

DUAL ACTION HAND PUMP

The hand pump is the typical one you see with the majority of inflatable SUP’s.

It works great, can inflate as well as deflate your board and has an attached pressure gauge so you can check your progress.

It took me 9 minutes and 10 seconds to manually inflate the Tranquility with the hand pump. That was with steady pumping with a couple quick breaks to catch my breath.

If you want to make life easier and conserve your energy for the water Thurso Surf makes an electric pump that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your vehicle and works really well.

With the electric pump it took 9 minutes and 40 seconds to inflate the Tranquility to 14.5 PSI.

So it isn’t any faster than manually pumping but it sure is easier!

LEASH

It’s always great to get a SUP leash included in the package because it is a necessary safety item.

Although you may choose to not wear it while doing yoga, it is important for when you are paddling.

Secure the leash to one of the D-rings at the tail of the board and the other end to your ankle. If you fall in the water the leash will make sure your board is not swept away from you.

The coiled leashes are ideal as they do not drag in the water or get caught up near your feet.

3-PIECE PADDLE

The paddle that comes with this package is a good one. Made with carbon fibre it is lightweight and feels great to use.

It comes apart into three pieces making it easy to store in the backpack and take traveling.

I have always been happy using the Thurso Surf paddle, no complaints on my end.

You can easily adjust the height from 68” to 84” so that it is the right size for your needs.

WHAT HEIGHT SHOULD YOUR PADDLE BE?

For flat water touring your paddle should be about 6” – 8” above your head. An easy way to measure is to stand with your arm straight up in the air.

Place the paddle in front of you with the blade on the ground. The top handle should come up to your wrist.

From there you can play around with it a bit to see what is most comfortable and what works best for you when out on the water.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Thurso Surf offers a few optional accessories that you may want to consider as well.

ELECTRIC PUMP

The Thurso Surf SUP Electric Pump is small, lightweight and easy to use.

Whereas most SUP electric pumps connect to your car battery, this one connects to the cigarette lighter in your vehicle.

So there are no alligator clips to worry about, it has a simple plugin.

Electric pump speeds can vary greatly and I found this one to be faster than expected.

The Tranquility Yoga SUP is a larger board so it takes a little longer to inflate.  With this electric pump it took 9 minutes and 40 seconds to reach an air pressure of 14.5 PSI.

You can set the desired PSI level on the digital interface and it will shut off automatically when it reaches the right air pressure.

It can inflate up to a maximum of 15 PSI, which is all you need for most ISUP’s.

If you are going to be on the water often an electric pump is a great investment. It allows you to conserve your energy for paddling and having fun.  Trust me, an electric pump is 100% worth it!

SEAT

The Thurso Surf kayak/SUP seat can attach to the side D-rings and lets you paddle your SUP kayak-style if you wish.

It is also ideal for paddling with a child as they can sit in the seat comfortably while you paddle standing behind them.

DECK COOLER BAG

The Thurso Surf deck cooler bag will make sure you stay refreshed on the water.

This is a water-resistant cooler bag that can hold up to 10 cans. It also has a mesh outer pocket that can be used to store things that are okay getting wet.

Now that you know all the great features and accessories, let’s move on to performance…

PERFORMANCE

As mentioned above the Tranquility is a nice easy and stable ride.

For yoga it is an ideal shape and size. I found the stability and sturdiness helpful in building my confidence when attempting different yoga moves.

You won’t see me doing a teddy bear stand any time soon but if you have the skill, the board will support you.

However a paddle board is also meant for paddling and I would assume most people would like to cruise around on their SUP and not just use it for yoga.

The design of this ISUP makes it feel very safe when paddling even in waves.

The rounded nose plows through wake and the slightly tapered tail and tri-fin design helps with maneuverability.

I didn’t love paddling it in heavy wind as it takes more effort to move and turn so watch out for those windy days.

The Tranquility is a yoga board first and a cruiser second.

With a max load capacity of 350 lbs. you can easily pile on the kids and/or the dogs for an awesome outdoor adventure.

CONSTRUCTION

This board is made tough with double layer PVC material and triple/quad Military Grade PVC coatings on the deck and sides.

You can tell when the Tranquility is inflated that it is durable and strong. I have never had any issues with the Thurso Surf boards.

DESIGN

Lastly I just want to mention the design because I think it is SO pretty.

The light wood-grain PVC material with the giant blue lotus flower at the nose of the board makes for a really beautiful SUP.

This is definitely one of the more attractive yoga ISUP’s I have seen.

WARRANTY

All Thurso Surf paddle boards come with a great 2-year warranty. If there are any manufacturer defects within 24 months of your date of purchase you can return the board for either a replacement or a full refund.

SUMMARY

If yoga is your thing then this is your board! Get inspired with me and get your Yoga SUP moves on!

Use this board for yoga, fitness, stretching, cruising and family fun. Besides being a little on the heavy side, it’s awesome in every other way.

I will be adding more photos as my yoga skills improve. Hoping the weather and water warm up soon so I can give it 100%.

WHERE TO BUY

Live in the US? You can find the best deal in the US for the Thurso Surf Tranquility at ThursoSurf.com.

FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? READ ON!

Hopefully you found this review helpful. At the end of the day, I’m a paddle boarder just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new board – so my review is written from the perspective of how I used the board and accessories.

My reviews are definitely a labor of love and generally take a fair bit of work and a lot of hours to put together.

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If you’ve got any questions feel free to drop them below. I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible.

As always thanks for reading!