THURSO SURF Waterwalker 10’
Summary
The new [i]THURSO Waterwalker 10’ measures in at 10’ x 30” x 6” and weighs 24 pounds. Considering how short the board is, it’s actually not overly light, which works in its favor. There are plenty of longer boards on the that are lighter. If you’re familiar with the Waterwalker[ii] line[iii] in general, just keep in mind that this is basically the same board just shorter.
All three of the SUPs in the Waterwalker line have proven themselves to be versatile, well-built and a blast in the water. One thing that sets this particular board apart from its two sister boards is how it can turn on a dime due to having less to turn. Even given its size, this board is well-engineered to be as efficient as possible and having maximum performance levels.
Pros
Lots of board features
Great bag / paddle
Ideal for smaller riders
Durable materials
Nice design
Cons
Pump can be improved
I would prefer less board features being a smaller board, easier to move on the board and less weight
Table of Contents
New to the 2022 iSUP lineup, the THURSO SURF Waterwalker 10’ is the smallest board the company offers that is still designed for adults. For certain paddlers, this might just be the SUP they’ve been waiting for.
| Length | Width | Thickness | Weight Capacity | max Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11’6″ | 30 | 6 | 28punds | 330pounds |
THURSO SURF Waterwalker 10’ Review
After it opened its door in 2016, THURSO SURF has made a reputation for itself looking for needs in the iSUP market and listening to their customers. As a result, they have been regularly coming out with new models[i] or improving on the models they already had been producing. This 10’ version of the popular all-around board is a perfect example of that.
Today we’ll be going over what exactly this small but mighty SUP has to offer and what you need to know before making a decision to purchase.
Features
Besides the difference in length, the Waterwalker 10’ has a somewhat different color scheme to set it apart from the other two. While still 
retaining the same general woodgrain design on top, the accent color on the deck and the predominant color on the sides and bottom is a beautiful hue of orange.
The deck is covered by a very comfortable EVA foam traction pad to give you the maximum amount of grip under the most slippery of conditions. In the center of that pad is webbed nylon carrying handle to help in moving it around. While it’s in the center of where you might be standing or laying down, it lays completely flat and is almost unnoticeable when not in use.
The rails on either side each have two D-rings that you can use to attach the optional THURSO SURF cooler bag, kayak seat, or any other gear you may want to be secured. The right rail also has two Velcro loops that are used as a paddle holder. This is a great feature since not every SUP out there has a place for you to hold your paddle securely while you go out for a dip or are doing other activities on or off the board.
The nose of the SUP is filled up with 6 D-ring attachment bungee space that can be used for holding down a gear or since they sit flat, can always be used as a sitting space for a small child or pet. Also, there is a grab handle that comes in hand when pulling the SUP in and out of the water.
Speaking of storage areas, the tail is also loaded with more bungee space and 4 more D-ring attachments for any gear you may want to carry with you — such as a cooler[i] or dry bag[ii] — if you find yourself wanting to be on your SUP for a little trip.
The tail has more than just storage! As is standard for THURSO SUPs, the is a centered D-ring for attaching your leash as well as a grab handle that allows you to pull your board out of the water without having to worry about the fins.
The fin boxes have a convenient lock system that allows you to attach and detach them with ease. What makes these boxes special is that they require no pins or screws, which makes one less thing you have to worry about dropping or forgetting!
Design and Build
The Waterwalker 10’ is manufactured with the THURSO SURF standard super tough double layer PVC construction.
The board itself is made with a drop-stitch nylon core which is stitched onto durable polyester fabric. This fabric is then laminated with additional PVC and PVC tarpaulin that technically makes it military-grade. The seams are also reinforced with their own PVC layers and the whole board is covered with a UV coating to make sure that the sun can’t bleach the coloring or damage the board easily. THURSO SURF made sure to deliver a board that would last years.
The Board in Action
Due to its weight and length, this little bugger knows how to turn quickly and is great for maneuvering for even the most demanding paddler.
The Waterwalker 10’ definitely isn’t built for racing, but all things considered, is pretty zippy. This is especially true for smaller bodies of water where you may want to around a lot of obstacles like rocks and logs.
Since it’s only 30” wide, this isn’t the most naturally stable board, especially for larger paddlers. However, that isn’t to say this is a wonky board by any means. In fact, for a smaller paddler with a little experience under their belt, it shouldn’t really present any major issues.
What’s Inside
Travel Backpack
THURSO really upped their game this year on their backpack. It’s solidly built and feels like something you can really take on the road with you.
The front area on the outside gives you a generous storage area for non-included items you want to take with you, like maps, electronics, or anything else you might need to have organized and at hand for your trip.
You’ll find grab handles on four sides of the backpack, making it super easy to put in and out of storage or even your car.
The bottom grab handle is the toughest and most durable which makes sense as it will be taking quite a few hits over time from where it’s located. Also, the whole bottom is reinforced with a heavy-duty resin to make sure this backpack will last for years without any notable damage.
Perhaps one of the most important features is the wheels. Not only are wheels not standard on many iSUP backpacks, but these wheels are also oversized and deeply grooved for maximum traction. These bad boys will make rolling the bag a breeze, whether on a sandy beach or an airport terminal.
The backside of the pack has two fully adjustable straps that sit very comfortably on the shoulders and chest, along with an adjustable sternum strap and waist belt. In concert, they make sure that you’ll be able to carry the bag and all the weight around for an extended period if needed. In addition, here you’ll also find webbed loops and D-rings for anything you may want to connect.
The area where your back would be touching is well-padded and ventilated, making sure you don’t turn into a sweaty mess on warm days.
Carbon Shaft Paddle
THURSO spared no effort to make sure that the Expedition came with more than the standard aluminum or fiberglass paddle 
that you might expect from many iSUPs. Not only is the 2022 paddle an improvement from 2021, but it’s also probably one of the best paddles out there from any brand.
The carbon fiber part component of the paddle is only in the shaft itself. The blade is made out of rigid nylon with the THURSO branding on it. While still maintaining an important amount of flexibility, it’s obvious that it can still take a beating over time. In addition to being made out of tougher material, the blade also appears to be attached better than the 2021 model as well.
Another important feature of the 2022 paddle is the ability to detach the handle and attach another blade if you feel like using the optional kayak seat add-on that you can also get from THURSO.
The last improvement is with the matte finish. While it probably doesn’t actually have any real utility, it does make it look like a higher-end product than the previous glossy paddle. While we probably shouldn’t care about something so minor, thought and effort went into the change, so it’s worth bringing up.
The included paddle with the Expedition is great on its own. However, if you’re going to be using the paddle for a while and feel that a slight drop in weight could make a difference or you need an even tougher blade then this might be worth the extra expense.
Dual Action SUP Pump
Although THURSO’s pump isn’t the biggest on the market, it still holds its own due to its quality. This pump is dual action with a built-in gauge, allowing you to pump faster as you inflate the board with both the up and downstrokes while in the first mode.
As you start to get closer to the recommended PSI and it gets more difficult to pump in air, you can switch to the second mode where it only moves air on the downstroke.
SUP Leash
The Expedition comes with a standard but quality 10’ THURSO-branded leash[i] 
to make sure your board doesn’t get away from you.
At first, THURSO used to include a straight cord, but customers made it clear
that the coiled leash was the way to go — and they listened. One neat feature is a pocket to hold your keys.
Repair Kit
Even with high-end materials, accidents can happen. This kit includes a valve wrench, a brush for adhesive two PVC repair patches, and three replacement levels for the fins. Like with most other brands for some reason, note that the adhesive itself is not included and needs to be purchased separately.
Kayak Seat
Hands down one of the most popular accessories is a kayak seat. THURSO’s new model keeps a low profile but still provides extensive back support for long trips. It’s quickly and easily attached using the metal hooks that connect to four D-rings on the rails. This seat goes hand-in-hand with the paddle being able to have two blades.
Insulated Thurso SUP Cold Case
In previous models, an insulated SUP deck bag came standard with the purchase of the board but this year, THURSO decided to
make an additional option that can be purchased separately
Although it would’ve been nice to have continued to include it standard, it’s still worth considering as a purchase since it’s a nice bag and fits perfectly on the deck.
The bag itself is water-resistant (as you might expect) and comes with two Velcro mesh pockets for smaller items on the outside. The biggest sell for this bag is that on the bottom are four attachment points and S-clamp mounting to make sure you can secure it to the board. You’ll never have to worry about losing your precious refreshments ever again!
Inside, the bag is fully insulated, which comes in handy when on the board in the sun all day. A mesh divider inside can be used to separate items or to hold ice packs.
Overall, this bag might be worth the investment since this board was designed to be used for long periods of time. This probably won’t have the capacity for a multi-day trip, it should be more than enough for the day or even overnight.
Thurso Electric Paddle Board Pump
New this year to the THURSO lineup is their new electric pump for those whose who really don’t want to have to do the job manually. It’s a cute design and is probably the smallest in its class. This makes it be convenient without adding any noticeable weight.
Swag
If you want everyone to know you’re all about that THURSO life even when you’re not in the water, they’ve got you covered!
Warranty
Even though THURSO[i] is a young company, they quickly understood the value of taking care of their customers. That’s why they include a two-year warranty that covers any and all manufacturing defects. While we personally haven’t needed to use it, from what we hear, they are quick to address issues in the customer’s favor.
Where to Purchase
You can pick up the 2022 THURSO SURF Expedition directly from the official company store[i]. A benefit of this is not only getting the best price, but they throw in free shipping and no sales tax. If you are purchasing north of the border, there is a special online store[ii] for that.
Bottom Line
If you are a smaller paddler or absolutely have to have a crazy sharp turn radius, then this is the SUP for you. It might be a bit on the small side for most grown men and weight can cause the back to sink, making the overall speed suffer. So, if this is for a teenager transitioning from a kid-sized SUP, an average-sized woman, or a lighterman, this would be an excellent choice.
