THURSO SURF Waterwalker 11′ Review (2019)

Backpack

THURSO’s previous SUP backpack was a basic, no-frills bag that got the job done. This year, the company has pulled out all of the stops and included a premium-level wheeled roller bag that is built incredibly well and has a ton of great features.

Unlike many other iSUP backpacks that you see included in accessory bundles, THURSO used a thicker material to construct the bag with which should definitely result in impressive long-term durability. On the front of the pack is a large zippered storage pocket for organizing accessories and there’s even a clear storage pouch on the front of it with a velcro closure.

Also located on the bag’s exterior are compression straps for cinching up your gear when the bag is fully packed. There are handy grab handles and elastic mesh storage pockets located along both sides of the bag — the handles are really useful for those times when you’re loading and unloading the bag, and the pockets can be used to secure your paddle, towel, change of clothes, water bottle, etc.

On the bottom of the backpack are massive roller wheels with deeply grooved traction. Whether you’re pulling the bag behind you on a sidewalk or off-road, these wheels roll nicely and make it so much easier to transport your board.

Also located along the bottom of the bag is another heavy-duty plastic grab handle and the entire bottom of the backpack is heavily reinforced which helps it to stand up on its own nicely. Additionally, since the bottom is the highest wear area on a SUP backpack, we’re happy to report that it’s well-covered by a thick dimpled rubber material. If you’re looking for a tough iSUP backpack that will hold up well to travel and serious use, THURSO’s newest version won’t disappoint.

On the top of the bag is another grab handle and there is also a transparent luggage ID window…

The rear of the backpack features two heavily-padded straps with nylon webbed loops and plastic D-rings for attaching small accessories. The straps are fully adjustable and there’s also a sternum strap for stabilizing the pack when it’s on your back.

Another nice feature is the adjustable padded waist belt which also helps to keep the bag centered and well-balanced when it’s on your shoulders. There’s also a thick back cushion covering the rear of the pack which is covered in breathable mesh material for added comfort.

This bag has two zippers and a nice wide opening which gives you great access to the interior compartment. On the inside, there are two more compression straps as well as a large mesh organization pocket and a smaller clear pouch.

All in all, THURSO’s new bag is awesome and a massive improvement over their previous backpack. The only thing we’d like to see changed in the future is repositioning the wheels to the opposite side of the bag — this would make the bag even more comfortable when it’s on your back as the roller wheels won’t dig into your backside. Another advantage to repositioning the wheels is the straps won’t drag on the ground when you’re rolling the bag behind you.

Paddle

THURSO’s previous 3-piece carbon fiber shaft SUP paddle was quite nice, but we did have some issues with it due to a less-than-reliable design. As we reported in our previous review, on more than one occasion the paddle actually came apart on us while we were on the water and we’re happy to report that this issue has been completely addressed by THURSO with their 2019 paddle.

THURSO’s new carbon fiber shaft travel paddle is a big upgrade over the usual aluminum or fiberglass paddles that you typically see included with boards in this price range. It has a sporty design that looks great and it’s lightweight and floats.

The blade of this year’s paddle is the same as last season — it’s a very durable, rigid nylon blade that is nicely branded with the THURSO logo on one side.

Previously, the carbon fiber shaft of THURSO’s paddle featured a glossy finish and we’re happy to report that this year the company has transitioned to a matte finish. In our opinion, the matte shaft feels so much nicer in the hands and just has a more “premium” look to it.

Pump

Also included with the Waterwalker 11′ is THURSO’s dual-action hand pump. This is a reliable pump that allows you to add air to the board on the upstrokes and on the downstrokes.

Once pumping begins to get more difficult during the inflation process, just switch over to single-action mode to finish inflating the board to 15 PSI. In this mode, air will only be added to the board on the downstrokes.

The pump also has a built-in pressure gauge which is super convenient. You’ll never have to guess what the inflation pressure is or disconnect the hose to check — it’s displayed right there on the pump’s handle.

Leash

We also love the fact that THURSO promotes paddling safety by including a SUP leash with all of their inflatable paddle boards. SUP leashes are an important SUP safety accessory that saves lives and more companies should be including them in their package of SUP accessories.

The included leash features a durable coiled cord that stays out of the water when you’re paddling. There are dual metal swivels at both ends to prevent tangles, and the comfortable neoprene ankle leash has a built-in hidden key storage pocket.

Repair Kit

Lastly, the WW132 comes with a user guide and an iSUP repair kit. The repair kit is housed in a high-visibility orange plastic container and includes a brush for applying adhesive, PVC patches, valve wrench, and a replacement lever lock for the fins.

Optional Add-ons

THURSO also has a growing line of paddling accessories and we wanted to mention a few optional add-ons that you may want to consider.

Electric Pump

New for 2019 is THURSO’s electric iSUP pump. The most compact electric paddle board pump we’ve reviewed to date, this pump will conveniently fit inside of your SUP backpack or car and is incredibly lightweight.

The pump has a digital LCD display and easy-to-use push-button operation. Just plug the pump into the cigarette lighter adapter in your vehicle, set it to your desired inflation pressure, and hit the on button — the pump will quickly inflate the Waterwalker 11′ and the auto shutoff feature safely turns it off once the process is complete. It’s incredibly convenient and once you use an electric pump, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one.

Kayak Seat

Another great accessory to consider is THURSO’s kayak seat. This is a comfortable seat that folds down compactly and will fit into your backpack.

This accessory adds a lot of versatility to the Waterwalker 11′ as you’ll be able to paddle it standing up and seated — kayak-style. It attaches quickly and easily by clipping the metal hooks to the D-rings along the Waterwalker 11’s rails. Also, the creative design of THURSO’s new carbon fiber shaft paddle allows a second blade to be quickly attached to the handle end of the paddle, transforming your SUP paddle into a kayak paddle.

Full Carbon Fiber Paddle

For those who want an even lighter weight paddle with a greater emphasis on performance, THURSO SURF offers an affordable full carbon fiber paddle.

This paddle shares the same shaft as the included paddle but replaces the standard nylon blade with a lightweight full carbon version.

Paddlers who favor toughness in a paddle blade should stick with the standard paddle — this full carbon model is designed for those who are interested in better performance.

SUP Cooler Deck Bag

THURSO previously included a basic SUP cooler deck bag in their accessory bundle, but that’s gone for 2019 as the company has instead decided to focus its efforts on improving the quality of their backpack and paddle.

Replacing their previous insulated cooler bag is a new premium version which we really like. This is a really versatile cooler bag with a soft-sided lunchbox design — in addition to paddling with it, you can also bring it along to ballgames, work, day trips, etc.

The top of the bag features a handy carrying handle as well as two mesh storage pockets with velcro closures. There are also clips along the sides of the bag for attaching the included shoulder strap — a really convenient option that we love.

Located on the bottom of the bag are four attachment points and handy mounting hardware for quickly securing the bag to the deck of your SUP. You can attach this bag to the front or tail of your Waterwalker 11′.

Lastly, the interior of the bag features a large mesh storage pocket as well as a fully insulated liner to keep your food and drinks cool.

Apparel

THURSO is also launching an apparel line this season. So far, they’ve introduced newly-designed hats, t-shirts, and sunglasses — perfect casual wear for a fun day of paddling…

Warranty

THURSO’s inflatable SUPs include a rock-solid 2-year warranty which covers manufacturer defects. Should you run into any issues in the first 24 months of ownership, the company will refund or replace your board on the spot (your choice). We should also mention that THURSO is one of the best companies we’ve ever dealt with in terms of customer service — this is a company that really stands behind their gear and they place a very high value on their customers’ satisfaction.

Where to Buy it + Discount

You can order the 2019 THURSO SURF Waterwalker 11′ SUP directly from the company through their official online store. In addition to giving you the lowest price, THURSO will also ship the board to your doorstep for free and won’t charge you sales tax. For those who happen to be in Canada, the board can be purchased direct through the company’s new Canadian website.