Thurso Surf Waterwalker ISUP Review

I feel very fortunate to be able to try out the latest ISUP models and see how SUP companies are improving and upping their game.

The latest Thurso Surf Waterwalkers are redesigned with some cool features that really make them stand out.

These boards look fantastic, come with a high-end accessory package and feel great to paddle.

The nicely thought out design is very stable and ideal for beginner to intermediate paddlers who want a good quality stable board that can go anywhere.

The Waterwalker comes in three different size options:

Waterwalker 120 – 10’x30″x6″

Waterwalker 126 – 10’6″x31″x6″

Waterwalker 132 – 11’x32″x6″

The two sizes I have been reviewing over these last few months are the WW126 and the WW132, which I find to be the most versatile options.

However if a smaller board is more what you need please check out my review of the Waterwalker 120, which is also a great ISUP.

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To see the Waterwalker boards in action and for a quick overview you can watch my youtube videos below.  Otherwise read on for more detail!

SPECS

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BEST SUITED FOR

The Waterwalker paddle boards are all-around ISUP’s meant to be versatile for different types of water, stable for different types of riders and functional for a fun day out on the water.

These boards are stable and easy for anyone to ride. They are perfect for playing on the lake, cruising along the coastline or even for paddling down calm rivers.

Total beginners will appreciate how quickly they can feel comfortable on these boards and more advanced riders will love all the great features they offer.

The larger Waterwalker 132 is especially good in choppy water as it offers a slightly larger platform for extra stability.

PERFORMANCE

I wouldn’t say these boards are high performers but instead very functional and versatile.

If you are looking for a faster and more efficient touring SUP take a look at the Thurso Surf Expedition.

However if you are looking for easy paddling, recreational fun, taking out the dogs or kids and a board that will handle many different situations then the Thurso Surf Waterwalker is the way to go.

GLIDE

With the three fins attached the Waterwalker tracks well. The WW126 glides a little smoother than the WW132, which is to be expected.

The wider width of the WW132 will naturally slow it down a little. Leaner boards will almost always glide through the water with less resistance.

MANEUVERABILITY

The larger WW132 took a little extra effort to turn quickly and maneuver but overall I found them both to be quite responsive, fairly easy to turn and maneuver.

STABILITY

These boards feel very comfortable to ride because they are so stable.

Paddling in wind and chop was never an issue for me and even with my dogs on board I felt comfortable at all times.

The Waterwalker 132 is especially great for paddling with larger dogs or bringing the kids along for a ride.

When inflated to 15 PSI there is no flex and you can load these boards right up and still feel quite stable.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

These inflatable SUP’s have been well thought out and designed. Attention has been given to all the little details allowing for not only a very attractive looking inflatable SUP but also one that provides a lot for your money.

Below are some of the best features that the Waterwalker boards have to offer.

FRONT & BACK DECK BUNGEES

Front and back deck bungees are great for storing gear such as dry bags, camping gear, fishing gear, a water bottle, cooler bag or anything else you want to bring out on the water with you.

GO PRO ATTACHMENT

The Go Pro or Action Camera Attachment on the nose of these boards is new for this year. There aren’t many inflatable SUP’s that offer this and I think it’s a great feature!

Attach your Go Pro and get some epic shots or video while out paddling.

SIDE PADDLE HOLDER

The paddle holder is located on the right side of the board and consists of two little velcro straps.

You can secure the shaft of your paddle in these straps when not in use. They don’t look like much but they work great!

The paddle holder is ideal for keeping your paddle safe and secure when you are not paddling.

3 CARRY HANDLES

Besides the standard centre carry handle there is also a handle at both the nose and tail of the board.

The front and back handles can be used if two people are carrying the board or when pulling the board from the water.

COMFORTABLE DECK PAD

The deck pad is fairly smooth and feels comfortable whether standing or kneeling. New for this year Thurso Surf has their own ’T’ logo designed into the deck pad, which I thought was a nice touch.

MULTIPLE D-RINGS

In total there are 15 D-rings on the Waterwalker so plenty of attachments for securing gear or a seat if you wanted to paddle kayak-style.

• There are 6 D-rings being used by the front bungees
• 4 D-rings are being used by the back bungees
• There is one at the tail for securing the leash
• And two on either side of the centre of the board for securing more gear or a seat.

3 REMOVABLE FINS

The tri-fin configuration on these boards is ideal for an all-around SUP. I love that the three fins are removable so you can customize your ride based on your needs.

I found the Waterwalker performed best with all three fins attached. They keep the back end stable and the board gliding straight.

The larger centre touring fin helps with tracking and the two smaller side fins help with maneuverability.

The Quick Lock fin setup is really easy and takes only seconds to secure or detach the fins.

CONSTRUCTION

These boards are made with double layer construction. They also have a triple/quad military grade PVC coating on the deck and sides for added durability.

New for this year Thurso Surf has added carbon reinforcement on the side rails, which makes the boards even more rigid.

Although this type of construction does make their boards a little extra heavy, there is no doubt that they are solid and durable.

ACCESSORY PACKAGE

3-PIECE CARBON SHAFT PADDLE

The 3-piece paddle that comes with this package has a carbon shaft and nylon blade. The paddle is lightweight at only 33 oz., floats and feels great to use.

The locking shaft mechanism keeps the paddle feeling strong and also allows you to convert the paddle to a kayak paddle with the addition of a second blade – which is sold separately.

When apart in 3 pieces the paddle easily fits into the backpack carry bag.

DUAL CHAMBER TRIPLE ACTION PUMP

Also new for this year Thurso Surf has included the Chimera Dual Chamber Triple Action hand pump.

This pump both inflates and deflates and fits inside the storage bag.

I definitely found that it took less time to inflate the boards with this pump but I actually found that it required quite a bit of effort to use.

It has three different action modes to use at different air pressures. It works great but pumping gets hard. Luckily you only need to inflate these boards to 12-15 PSI.

If you want to eliminate any hard work before getting on the water these are the best electric pumps for inflatable SUP’s.

BACKPACK WITH WHEELS

The extra large backpack easily fits the board and all accessories for easy storage and transport.

The wheels make it easy to pull to the water or even take traveling.

The backpack includes a large zippered pocket on the front that I use to store the repair kit, fins and leash.

Carrying this bag fully loaded on shoulders however is backbreaking. The package is quite heavy and you will be very thankful for those wheels so you can roll this bag and not have to carry it to the water.

MATCHING LEASH

The 10’ coiled leash is an important safety accessory and it’s always nice to have it included in the package.

I like that the leash for the WW126 matches the board and same for the WW132 leash. 🙂

The leash attaches to the back D-ring on the board and to your ankle. If you should fall in the water the leash will ensure that your board stays close.

REPAIR KIT

All inflatable SUP’s come with a repair kit. Hopefully you never have to use it but if you do it has everything you need for a quick repair.

Included in the repair kit is marine glue, PVC patches, a valve tightener and extra clips for the quick lock fins.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Worth noting is that Thurso Surf has a couple awesome optional accessories that you can add to your package if you choose.

PVC DECK COOLER BAG

The PVC deck cooler bag is perfect for keeping drinks cold. It isn’t fully waterproof but it is water resistant and insulated. It can hold up to 20 cans.

KAYAK SEAT

The foam kayak seat clips to the D-rings of your board and allows you to sit and paddle kayak-style if you choose.

We have also used this seat in the past for a kid to sit on while we paddle.

BOTTOM LINE

The Waterwalker boards have a really nice natural look to them with the wood grain print on the PVC material.

Although a little on the heavy side these boards are a lot of fun to paddle. They are like a jack of all trades but a master at none.

Basically if you want a board that is great for all riders, all skill levels and all water conditions these fit the bill.

For my size I personally prefer paddling the Waterwalker 126 and found it a little easier to maneuver and carry.

My boyfriend enjoys the larger Waterwalker 132 and found that it suited his size a little better.

With the 2-year warranty and great price you really can’t go wrong here.

WHERE TO BUY

Live in the USA? – Click Here For The Best Deal On The Thurso Surf Waterwalker at ThursoSurf.com.

Live in Canada?  Click Here For The Best Deal On The Thurso Surf Waterwalker at ThursoSurf.com/ca.

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