Thurso Surf Waterwalker Review 11′

Thurso Surf Waterwalker Review Inflatable Paddle Board

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PROS

👍 Stable

👍 Very Reasonable Price

👍 Durable Double Layer Construction

👍 Max Air Pressure Rated at 20psi

👍 Carbon Reinforced Rails

👍 Balanced Performance

👍 Dual Bungee Systems

👍 Action Mount M8 Thread on the Nose

👍 Side Paddle Holders

👍 15 D-Rings

👍 3 Carry Handles

👍 Optional Kayak Seat

👍 Carbon Shaft Paddle

👍 Nice Rolling Backpack

👍 Double Chamber Triple-Action Hand Pump

👍 Woodgrain Looking PVC

CONS

❌ Bit Heavy

❌ All-Arounds Are Not Fast

My Overall Rating:

(8.5 / 10)

Specs

• Length: 11′
• Width: 32 inches
• Thickness: 6 inches
• Volume: 300 liters
• Weight: 29 lbs
• Max Cargo: 330+
• Warranty: 2 years with product registration

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Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132

My Viewpoint

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The Thurso Surf Waterwalker is a popular all-around entry level paddle board. The performance you get from the Waterwalker is exactly what you want in an all-around type paddle board. Good balanced performance in stability, glide and handling.

So the Waterwalker is easy to like because it does everything well. Plus I think this is a very sharp looking paddle board with a unique woodgrain-like exterior. And if that wasn’t enough it’s a great value, made with quality materials and a low price.

The Waterwalker is stable and comfortable. It glides okay for an All-Around paddleboard. But it is does not glide as easy or fast as a touring paddle board.

Thurso Surf paddleboards are among the best in their price range. The quality of materials, thoughtful design and innovation are all very good. Their boards are handsome and unique looking. And most important they perform in the water . Thurso Surf paddle boards are winners in every way.

Some paddle boards just feel “right” on the water. The Waterwalker is one of those paddle boards.

Significant Features

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D-rings

The Waterwalker has two bungee cargo systems. A large bungee on the nose and a smaller one on the tail. I like the extra large size of the nose system.

There are a total of 15 D-rings on this paddle board.

There is an action mount on the nose. You can use this for a GoPro, GPS device, etc.

Carry Handles

Three carry handles. Besides the traditional carry handle on the deck the Waterwalker has a carry handle on the nose and tail.

There is a paddle holder on the side of the deck. These are velcro loops.

Deck Pad

The deck pad feels comfortable and provides plenty of grip. The white deck pad with long horizontal grooves compliments the woodgrain look of the Waterwalker. I really like the appearance of the Waterwalker.

Fins

Thurso Surf has a unique tri-fin set up that is one of my favorite features on the board.

First, the placement and angle of the two side fins are a bit different than many paddle boards.

Second, you can remove the side fins of the Waterwalker. Often the small side fins are fixed on a paddle board with only the long center fin being removable.

So with the Waterwalker you can paddle with two different fin configurations. If you plan on doing a lot of paddling this is a big deal.

With three fins you have maximum stability and maneuverability. So in choppy rough water or playing around on waves you want three fins.

When the water is flat you can remove the side fins and the tracking, glide and speed will improve. More paddling experience will allow you to feel the difference these fin configurations make.

Like other good SUP brands Thurso uses a tool-less easy snap in-out fin replacement system.

Construction

Thurso says their paddle board structure is the strongest of any inflatable paddle board on the market. That is a bold claim. But I can say the Waterwalker is indeed a very solid, strong well-constructed unit.

The Thurso Surf Waterwalker has a maximum aire pressure of 20psi. This is the sign of a quality construction. (The recommended air pressure is 15psi.)

Only the best inflatable paddle boards can be inflated to 20psi. There are only a handful brands that are this well constructed.

The rails of the Waterwalker have been reinforced with carbon fiber. This adds durability and extra stiffness.

Basically Thurso Surf uses a double layer construction of high-quality pvc. While the sides (rails) have four layers of pvc.

Sharp Good Looks

Taste in appearance is personal. But I really like the look of this paddle board. It’s not flashy with bold colors but instead has a classic woodgrain finish. And the woodgrain pvc is not cheap looking. It sets the Waterwalker apart. I have only seen one other paddle board with woodgrain pvc.

Accessory Package

Accessories tell a lot about the quality of a paddle board brand. Some companies will try and cut corners. This is really disappointing because a cheap paddle board pump will negatively affect the paddling experience.

The Waterwalker comes with some real nice accessories. For starters you get a nice paddle with a carbon shaft. Now this is not a high-end carbon paddle but is still a real step up from the typical paddle you get in an iSUP package. A nice surprise.

The dual-action pump is fairly typical. It works well and I have no complaints with this hand pump.

I really like the carry bag that comes with the Waterwalker. It has three zippers which allows you to store and remove the rolled up paddle board with ease. There are three carry handles one on each side and one on top. There are a few D-rings on the exterior and a clear pocket on the outside for storage. It turns into a backpack with padded shoulder straps and a waist belt. Everything is well constructed and feels strong.

Value & Low Price

The Thurso Surf Waterwalker is a great value in an entry level paddle board. When you consider the quality of materials and construction, the unique design and the very nice features and accessories it is an impressive package. High quality and low price equals a great value.

Performance

Stability (8 / 10)

Glide  (8 / 10)

Maneuverability  (8 / 10)

Surf  (5 / 10)

Construction  (8.5 / 10)

Value  (9 / 10)

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Stability

The Waterwalker is stable enough for a beginner. And it stays stable even when the water gets rough or the deck is loaded down with cargo. The 32″ width and the classic all-around shape help with stability. But the placement and angle of the two side fins give this board a real edge in stability. (handling too)

Glide

The Waterwalker glides as expected for a paddleboard in this price range. This board is very forgiving in large part to it’s shape. It paddles well in choppy water conditions. When the water is flat you can remove the side fins to increase tractability, glide and speed. However, this is not a fast paddleboard. For more speed I suggest a touring sup.

Maneuverability

For an 11′ paddle board the Waterwalker handles very well. You can inflate this board to 15-20 psi. The extra stiffness improves performance and is noticeable when trying to make quick turns. The placement and slight angle of the two side fins also improve maneuverability.

Best Application

The Waterwalker is a good all-around paddle board. Its balanced performance make it a great choice for a relaxing afternoon paddle. This is a family-friendly paddleboard that beginners will instantly love. You can’t go wrong with a paddleboard so versatile. The Waterwalker is a popular paddle board that the majority of paddlers will be happy with.