Surfstar 10’6 Advance All Around - Review 2023

Review

Surfstar is a newish company.  Their entry into paddle boarding was fairly well-received and is the impetus for adding to the fleet. Their SUP boards tend to be on the wider side of the standard dimension ranges that all-around paddle boards have. Every single board from their collection comes in at 33 inches in width and varies in length from 10’6 to 12 ’6.

In the context of budget inflatable all-rounders, we think the Surfstar Advance Star 10’6 ranks quite high on the list. If we consider what a board like this can and cannot do in order to stress who will enjoy it, then it’s important to note that this is a really good beginner board.

It’s somewhat rare, with the seemingly endless amount of SUP boards available, to have a budget board that has decent stability and good tracking at the same time. When compared to a SereneLife Free-Flow, for example, both have good stability but the Free-Flow zigs and zags like a skier.

Like the Flight 10’6, Surfstar’s Advance board tracks well-enough for mid-range tours. That’s not to say that it’s a touring board. The rounded nose with a slight rocker will life a modest amount of weight over the waves, but a proper touring board will cut through the chop.

So, for beginners or even paddlers with a bit of experience, the Advance is a decent board for some small trips on the lake. It’s sub-19-pound weight makes it easy to carry to different lakes too. But, as the category of boards suggest, it can also do a bit of everything.

With two bungee cargo areas, you can paddle in peace and for however long as you’d like knowing your coolers, bags, or fishing gear are safe and on your board. We especially like that the larger cargo area is in front, to ensure everything stays on and just below your eye level.

We’d like to note however, that the maximum weight capacity on this board is 320 lbs. If we are to position this board purely in the sights of a serious angler, or individuals planning to take multiple-day tours—the Advance Star’s weight capacity pales in comparison to the Goosehill Sailor 10 ‘6 iSUP.

Priced at $499, The Sailor 10’6 has a whopping max capacity of 440 lbs. That’s 120 more pounds for gear, and of course your catch. At the end of the day however, it all boils down to what you want to do and what features best suit what kind of paddling you intend to do.

Like the Flight 10’6, the Surfstar Advance Star 10’6 is equipped with a three-fin configuration, with two permanent fins, and one detachable central fin.

In line with how it’s geared for all skill levels, paddlers will seriously benefit from more customization and the capability to remove or replace all three fins, to further increase the manoeuvrability of the board as they further progress in skill and experience. Given the Advance Star’s dimensions, this all-around board could potentially be used for whitewater paddling, but without a customizable fin system, it limits the conditions you can take your board out to, and you won’t be able to replace your fins if they get banged up, or worse, break on you.

Accessories:

On to what is perhaps the more exciting part of this paddle board kit, the accessories. Not only is the Surfstar Advance Star 10 ‘6 a breeze to deflate and store, but it also comes with a fibreglass paddle, hand pump, repair kit, coiled leash, and a waterproof bag for all your essentials.

All of this and more can be stored in a comfortable backpack, owing to its hip straps and padded shoulder pads. The carry handle on the backpack’s side adds a nice touch of versatility and allows you to carry the kit duffle bag style. It’s worth mentioning that the board weighs 18.8 lbs, making it easier to hike to more inaccessible bodies of water.

The Paddle:

Stiffer, stronger yet lighter at just shy of 30 ounces, the included fiberglass paddle is surprisingly lighter than our top-ranked paddle, The Werner Session Fiberglass, which weighsa little more than 30 ounces. While it can’t pride itself on features like the Werner Session’s ABS palm grip or 7-degree blade offset, the Advance Star’s fiberglass paddle is maybe the best one you can get in a package at this price. It floats and has a standard nylon blade.

The Pump:

The board requires a pressure of 15 psi, and it may take a bit of time and sweat for you to fully inflate the board with the included single-action pump. We do like that the pump does have a deflate option for more quickly preparing the board for packing. That said, you might want to consider investing in an electric pump if you intend to make the Advance Star your go to board.

Coiled Leash and Repair Kit:

The repair kit is ordinary, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It comes with a valve wrench and 2-3 PVC sheets in case of punctures. The coiled leash does its job, minimising drag and keeping your board within your reach.

Camera Mount:

The Surfstar Advance Star 10 ‘6 has a camera mount that allows you to attach your action camera and capture the sights and smiles that paddle boarding brings. An extra hand to document your trips is an incredible feature, considering the board’s price point.

If you plan to trawl with this board, you might want to consider looking at O’Pros’ Rod Holder (GoPro adapter piece sold separately) which will work with this board’s built in mount. Without a motor to power you throughout your trip, a rod holder could offer some serious advantage and increase your success rate out on the water.

In a nutshell:

The Surfstar Advance Star 10 ‘6 is a great all-around paddle board kit that offers balance and stability to enjoy various bodies of water such as ponds, rivers, lakes, and open seas in calm weather conditions.

If you are planning to tour and paddle for hours, this board’s fiberglass paddle will help you conserve energy and help transfer the power of your stroke more efficiently. This, of course, depends on your fitness level, but compared to the Flight 10’6’s aluminum paddle, you could potentially cover more distance on your trips.

While the board itself is targeted for all skill levels, the limited customization this board’s fin system offers leads us to believe that it’s best suited for the novice paddler looking to work their way up to a more intermediate skill level. This board is a superb choice for those looking to explore and glide as they pop open a cold beverage and perhaps even capture some dinner out in the open water.

Just looking at the Advance All Around, you get an impression of a more premium board. On closer inspection, and with some previous experience with premium boards, you can tell that it’s not. But Surfstar has delivered a very good entry-level SUP that does stand out. With the paddle making a huge difference, even intermediate paddlers will appreciate this one.