Waterwalker 10’6”
Overwiew
As with the rest of the iSUP line, the Waterwalker 10’6” has been significantly redesigned for the 2022 model year. If you’re familiar with the Waterwalker 11’,[i] then much of what this version has to offer will be familiar.
This version of the THURSO Waterwalker measures in at 10’6” x 31” x 6” and weighs 26 pounds. Compared to the 2021 model, we were able to find quite a few changes, mostly minor but a few significant. Overall, this is a fun board to have on the water, especially if the paddler is at least somewhat experienced and on the smaller side.
While the 2022 model was still a solid board, this model really brought THURSO to the adult’s table. When a company is relatively young and open-minded about listening to their customers, you end up getting a board of the people versus an industry standard. As we dive deeper into the board itself, it’s easy to see features that were thought out by paddlers and not engineers.
Overall
5In its 2022 model, the Thurso Surf
Table of Contents
| Length | Width | Thickness | Weight Capacity | Max Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10′ | 30″ | 6″ | 24 pounds | 270 pounds |
Of all the major players in the iSUP market, THURSO SURF is one of the youngest, though they haven’t used that as a crutch. What started out as a single board company in 2016 has expanded to offer not only a range of different designs of SUPs with great value for the money.
One of the most notable features of this company — one that we hope they hold on to — is their responsiveness to their customers. This is shown through their strong customer support and in the way they improve their boards with each model year.
In this review, we’ll be going over the 2022 THURSO Waterwalker 10’6 inflatable SUP in detail, such as the board’s features, construction, accessories, and more. With all the facts laid out, we’ll give you our overall opinion about the board and if it’s worth the purchase.
Features
2022 10’6” Waterwalker, while similar to the other two models, made a point to make a radical change in color to differentiate itself. 
The deck of the board still has a good amount of the signature woodgrain coloring, but now has a strong teal accent that shows itself in both a central colorway and even in the bungee cords. The rails also changed from the standard grey metallic look to sporting a more fun white and teal motif while the bottom just goes all-out with pure teal.
Other than the coloring, the deck is generously covered with a large EVA foam traction pad that offers plenty of grip for when you might be getting on and off the board.
On top of that foam pad is a center carry handle — which was redesigned for 2022 — to make it easier to move the board around once it’s inflated. A neat feature is to have two velcro loops on the side of the board that functions as a paddle holder rather than using the center carry handle to do this job. This is great for people who use their board for working out or if they just want to lay down without having to worry about losing the paddle or having to compete for deck space with it.
On top of that foam pad is a center carry handle — which was redesigned for 2022 — to make it easier to move the board around once it’s inflated. A neat feature is to have two velcro loops on the side of the board that functions as a paddle holder rather than using the center carry handle to do this job. This is great for people who use their board for working out or if they just want to lay down without having to worry about losing the paddle or having to compete for deck space with it.
The nose has a pretty good-sized bungee area which, as previously mentioned, offers color-coordinated bungees to the board — not that it matters, but it’s still a neat touch. There are also two additional D-rings that in combination with the bungees mean you can store a lot of gear in the front of the board relative to its size.
A front grab handle, much like the other handles on the 2022 Waterwalker, was redesigned with a tougher, more comfortable material and stitching. This will allow you to move the board in and out of the water even if you’re carrying a lot of weight from taking advantage of the storage capacity.
Turn this bad boy around and we can see how the tail got a major upgrade from the 2022 board. Previously, the back just had an inflation valve and a central D-ring for the leash. This year they went all outputting in as much as they possibly could in this small area by adding an additional bungee area and 4 more D-rings! Not just that, but they included another grab handle which is probably one of the best changes to the 2022 model since it lets you drag the board on land in such a way that you wouldn’t have to worry about damaging the fins.
On the belly, it continues to have its 2+1 fin setup that features fins that don’t need any tools or even pins. The lack of hardware makes life a lot easier as anyone who’s ever lost a pin while in the middle of nowhere can tell you! THURSO uses their standard insert-and-lock fin box that comes standard on all their SUPs.
The fact that the fins are removable means that rolling up the deflated iSUP (or would that be a iSUP?) can be stored easily in the included backpack and have a smaller space requirement. Also, if you don’t feel like inflating the SUP onsite and/or are moving multiple boards on top of a car, then not having fixed fins will make stacking them on the roof a breeze!
Design and Build
Across the board, THURSO uses a double-layered, durable drop-stitch construction on all its iSUPs. In order to protect your board from major damage when you encounter rock, logs, or other hazards, the Waterwalker sports military-grade PVC skin. With the solid construction, it’s even rated as being bombproof. While paddlers hopefully won’t need to test that out, remember that if it can handle a bomb, it can probably handle your kids or dog.
A new feature in the construction of the board with the 2022 model is two reinforced seams on the sides where the top and rail join. While this seems like a minor addition, it means a much longer-lasting SUP for years to come.
The Board in Action
Like the other boards from THURSO SURF, the Waterwalker 10’6” is a blast to use and tracks very well. Compared to the 11’ model, however, it isn’t quite as stable since it’s not as wide. This is why it’s recommended for paddlers with some experience.
The tradeoff to the stability factor is that it’s more responsive and requires less umph to turn.
All in all, this is an awesome board for a slightly smaller paddler or someone who prefers to do more aggressive movements on the water. Due to its shape, it also works out great for those who are using this SUP for a while but not at the point where they’d need a touring board.
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.
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. 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 for that.
Bottom Line
This is just an awesome all-purpose SUP. If the 11’ model is too big and the 10’ model too small, this should be you Goldilocks board. Even if you’re the type of person who has multiple iSUPs for various purposes, you may end up using the Waterwalker 10’6 as your go-to. The only issue is that compared to other SUPs in the 2022, this model doesn’t really specialize in anything. But there’s nothing wrong with being an all-around solid board, either.
