Thurso Surf Waterwalker 11 SUP Board Review
Summary
The Waterwalker 132 from Thurso Surf is a solid contribution to the all-around stand up paddle board world. There are precious few boards that provide the kind of stability and solid performance potential like the Waterwalker for those starting out in the sport. Likewise, this SUP offers the yoga enthusiast and family equal amounts of possibility and joy.
The accompanying accessories reflect a company that both listens to its customers and demonstrates the capacity to grow, making design tweaks that show evolution of the good variety. While not included in the basic pack, the kayak add-on gives this product another useful dimension.
From the moment you grab the smart transport bag to the process of blowing it up with the smart pump to the time when you realize what a decent paddle means to paddling a straight track, you’ll be pleased. Even in choppy water with some unwanted winds or subject to the wake of motorboats, the 132 stays stable and steady.
Like what you see? Then jump ahead and get this SUP.
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Reasons to buy
- Crazy stable, also in choppy waters
- The carbon shaft paddle with dihedral blade is amazing
- Great for fitness, like yoga, stretching, etc.
- Impressive construction makes it robust and rigid
- Accessories, including the paddle holder are great
Reasons NOT to buy
- The 132 is a heavy board. Transport isn’t fun but the bag’s wheels help.
- The D-ring-holding PVC patches hurt the aesthetic of the natural wood look
Review
- DIVEIN.com Score: 4.7/5
- Construction: 4.7/5
- Stability: 4.8/5
- Maneuverability: 4.5/5
- Portability: 4.7/5
- Price/Quality: 4.7/5
If you’ve landed a Waterwalker 132 you’re not gonna be disappointed. Unless you’re supping competitively, you’ll be pleased every time you stand up–in calm waters or chop around the coastline. This is a board you can get really good at too, playing around with back-step turns, changing your stance and touring around with a cooler. This package makes this SUP a worthwhile addition to your summer fun.
See the complete list of the best Paddle Boards here!
Features
- The wide body on the 132 also has a spanning deck pad that’s textured for comfort and grip. Standing up on a good deck cuts down on fatigue in the feet and ankles making this quality worth noting.
- The 2 plus 1 quick lock fin system gives you some versatility. When starting out or touring all three fins are steering the board straight and true. But being able to use only the main fin gives the board more maneuverability and performance potential. The gentle toe in shape of the two smaller fins provides better grip too.
- Maybe the most surprising and superior bit of this board is the paddle. Once you take a few strokes with this carbon fiber shaft you never want to pick up an aluminum paddle again. The nylon blade is perhaps on the heavy side, but the dual concave, dihedral form creates both lift and thrust at a total weight of 33 ounces. It’s really fantastic.
- You can get superb traction from this board. How? It’s the combination of the crocodile-diamond deck pad and the kicktail that facilitate it. The 2020 upgrade didn’t take the performance matters lightly – rather, it emphasized the importance of having a sleek paddling surface that makes it easy to cut through waves and make tricky turns.
- There are plenty of D-rings for cargo and the growing list of accessories available to paddlers. Clothes and drybags as well as coolers are welcome, as well as the optional kayak seat that Thursosurf sells.
- Two velcro straps to hold the paddle are surprisingly useful when chilling, drinking/eating or exercising
- The action mount camera in the front of the board will let you document your aquatic adventures.
Thurso Surf Waterwalker 11 SUP Board Review: Key Specifications
- Best Suited For: Beginners/moderate touring/horseplay/doing yoga
- Material: Triple/Quad layer Military-grade PVC
- Volume: 300 liters
- Capacity: 330 lbs.
- Dimensions: 11’ x 32” x 6.”
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Recommended Inflation: 12-15 PSI
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Accessories
The Waterwalker 132 package is solid. There’s an amazing fiberglass shaft paddle, a dual-chamber/triple-action pump called the chimera, a backpack with wheels, a standard coiled leash, a repair kit and a strap to make packing down a cinch.
- Paddle: The 3-piece carbon paddle is sweet. It’s light, it floats and has a dihedral blade form that gives you good thrust and tracking. It’s compatible with the kayak set (sold separately), snapping another blade in on the handle end of the shaft.
- Leash: Pretty standard item. Does what it should.
- Pump: The double-chamber pump with 3 settings allows you to inflate the board faster. You’ll get your board inflated in around 5 minutes when pumping at a steady pace. The deflate option is also an advantage for getting the board packed up. Pretty sweet.
- Backpack: I’ve used this backpack for transporting dive gear. It’s a pleasure having enough space to fit everything in without having to be a master dissectologist.
A nylon compression strap to secure the deflated, rolled board together for easier packing.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Stability
Stability is absolutely capital on this SUP. With paddle straps to hold the shaft, it’s become clear that this board was designed with SUP fitness also prominent in Thurso’s thinking.
Whether performing yoga or paddling through a canal with a lot of boat traffic, even beginners will benefit on the balance side of things. Taking wake in from the sides isn’t a problem and the nose’s rocker form and weight of the board allows you to crest oncoming waves.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Maneuverability
Even though this is a beginner board there is room to evolve as a paddler thanks to the three removable quick lock fins. With three fins holding your course you can track well, but with just the main fin cutting through the water and stepping back with your weight, this heavy board pivots surprisingly well. The slight toe in of the smaller fins will give you better grip.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Portability
Even though on the heavy side, it’s evident that this 11 foot board was designed to be travel-friendly. Getting it in the backpack makes that clear, with the wheels located smartly on the outside of the bag to avoid the shoulder straps interfering with their rolling along an airport, boardwalk or in a train.
Being able to remove all three fins makes it easier to roll up–especially after sucking all the air out with the pump–and pack away, but it also means the 132 can be stacked on a car with other SUPs or stashed alongside the deck of a boat. It makes a difference. This definitely makes up for cumbersome weight of the board
Price/Quality Ratio
With so many SUPs on the market, competition is crazy. But whereas some companies either make compromises in quality or throw in a bunch of nice, but useless, accessories, Thurso Surf charges a reasonable price given the level construction and the performance potential of this board. All the extra layering means it’ll withstand punishing trips to and from the beach, but it also means the board will be slightly warmer in the colder months giving your bare feet some comfort. You’ll have it for a while for both learning to stand up and getting to be an ace.
Optional Accessories from Thurso Surf:
- The compatible kayak set
- Thurso Surf Nylon Paddle Blade
- Thurso Surf PVC SUP Deck Cooler Bag
- Thurso Surf Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch
- Thurso Surf Polarized Sunglasses
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Summary
Do we recommend it?
Yes, we absolutely do. If you have a little experience, want a SUP for the family, for casual touring or want to do Yoga, this is absolutely a board you won’t regret buying.
See the complete list of the best Paddle Boards here!
What We Like
- Crazy stable, also in choppy waters
- The carbon shaft paddle with dihedral blade is amazing
- Great for fitness, like yoga, stretching, etc.
- Impressive construction makes it robust and rigid
- Accessories, including the paddle holder are great
What We Don’t Like
- The 132 is a heavy board. Transport isn’t fun but the bag’s wheels help.
- The D-ring-holding PVC patches hurt the aesthetic of the natural wood look
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
Where to Buy:
- Amazon with worldwide shipping
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Thurso Surf Waterwalker 11 SUP Board
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⚡ Is the Waterwalker 132 SUP board covered by a warranty?
Yes. Thurso Surf has a well-deserved reputation for treating it’s customers well. The 2-year warranty is a good one. Thurso will honor it.
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🤓 What weight can the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 board hold?
The 132 has a listed capacity of 330 pounds. In reality its sturdy construction will bear more weight though including both a pup and extra passenger.
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❓ What does the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 board come with?
It comes with the standard bunch of essentials. To be exact, there’s a roomy backpack with wheels, a leash, a carbon-shaft paddle, a double-chamber pump, a repair kit, and two bungee cords to tie onto the 10 D-rings.
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🤔 What pressure can the 132 SUP board be inflated to?
The board can be maxed out to 20 PSI, but it’ll be nice and rigid at 15 PSI.
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🧐 How long does it take to inflate the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132?
I’ll take around 5 minutes to inflate the board with constant pumping. The double-chamber pump has enough power to inflate it in as little as 3 and a half minutes, according to some paddlers who take cardio very seriously.
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