Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 iSUP Review
Pros
- Great all-round design, ideal for beginners and progressors
- Very good set of fittings and accessory mounts
- The performance has benefited significantly from the reduced thickness
- Definitely the best speed performance of all the Thurso Surf Waterwalkers
- With the kayak seat option and multiple paddle holder fixings, it’s great for sit-down cruising too.
- Lighter than previous versions due to the new improved construction.
- Great having that option to choose just the accessories you want at check out.
Cons
- The cargo straps aren’t ideal for carrying something small like a water bottle. (But you can easily fix this by putting your own bungee cords onto the board using the D ring fixings.)
Thurso’s flagship of the Waterwalker range has been upgraded significantly for 2025, and is now available in two thickness versions. Our review team checked them out.
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 is the largest size in the Waterwalker line-up, and described by Thurso Surf as their flagship model; the best selling size in the range. At 11’ x 32” it sits right on the sweet spot for all-round boards, and for 2025 Thurso have not only upgraded the construction, but are also now offering the shape in two different thicknesses; the original 6” thickness and a new 4.7” thickness (which actually measures 5” but what’s 0.3” between friends?).
In preparation for writing this review we checked out both versions of the board, comparing them very closely in a variety of conditions, to see which works best for whom and when. To avoid things getting confusing, what we’re going to do in this write-up is concentrate on the thinner version, and then in the discussion on each aspect of performance we’ll detail what the differences are with the thicker version. To set the ball rolling we can confirm the following:
We think the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 would be a great SUP for:
- First time paddlers wanting a great all rounder offering more performance than a typical beginner board.
- Anyone wanting a general purpose board with a great set of fittings and fixtures.
- Paddlers who want a board that is well made and looks good.
Thurso Waterwalker 132 (4.7” version): Spec Sheet
- Board Category: All round
- Listed Board Dimensions: 11’ x 32” x 4.7”
- Measured Board Dimensions: 10’11 ¾ x 32 ⅜ x 5”
- Listed Board Weight: 21.8 lbs
- Actual Board Weight (board only, inflated): 20.9 lbs
- Listed Max Capacity: 160-210 lbs
- Recommended PSI: 12-15 (max 20)
- Fins: Flexi 9” dolphin center fin, plus 2 side fins.
- Paddle: 3 piece carbon nylon (upgrade options)
- Board Shell Construction: Double layer fusion, welded rails
- Drop-stitch type: X-woven
- Price Range: Low to Mid depending on options
- Warranty: 30 day full refund, 2 year full warranty (with conditions)
Performance Review of the Thurso Waterwalker 132 Stand Up Paddle Board
Before we get into discussing the performance attributes of the Waterwalker 132, We’d just like to take a moment to congratulate Thurso Surf on their approach with the Waterwalker range. It’s one of the most well structured in the industry; we love the simplicity and symmetry of this three board line-up. 10’ x 30” (the Waterwalker 120), 10’6 x 31” (the Waterwalker 126), and then the big guy on review here, at 11’ x 32”. Essentially the same board, just scaled up/down by logical sensible increments in size and width so that all you need to do is choose the size and stability best suited to you. It’s such a sensible approach but very few brands think like this for some reason.
Overall Score: [9.5/10]
- Stability: 8.1/10
- Speed: 6.6/10
- Tracking: 8.8
- Maneuverability: 8.9/10
- Construction Quality: 9.5/10
- Features/Accessories: 9.4/10
Stability Rating: [8.1/10]
The stability score shown here is a global rating, based on comparative performance to all other sizes and styles of paddleboards (other than multi-person boards)
With that long parallel-sided section in the middle area, leading to plenty of width in the tail and nose, the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 offers excellent primary and secondary stability. The reduced thickness further increases the general feeling of stability, because the rider is closer to the water and the board feels less ‘corky’ underfoot. The three fins in the tail also play their part in reducing wobble.
Thurso states on their website that the Waterwalker 126 is designed for paddlers in the 160-210 lbs range, and we reckon that’s spot on for less experienced riders, including complete beginners (maybe call it 200 lbs max for taller or less naturally stable beginners, to be on the safe side.). For more experienced paddlers the board could happily cope with up to 20 lbs more.
If you’re wondering why our score seems relatively low it’s because we give a ‘global’ rating for stability, to show how the Waterwalker 132 compares to all other relevant board options on offer. A 32” wide board, no matter how well optimised the plan shape may be, will always be intrinsically less stable than a wider board, such as the Thurso Surf Max 11’6 for example.
As for the 6” version, comparing the two side by side it was clear that the thinner version had better primary stability; it feels easier and less ‘scary’ to move around on the board. Thurso Surf quotes the 6” version as being 60L higher in volume. That’s a whole lot of flotation right there, and removing it will definitely make the board considerably less corky. (However, the board still has 240L, which is enough to float 500 lbs+, so don’t have any worries about the board not being able to support your weight! )
In general, the only time reduced thickness becomes a negative factor is when a heavy person (considerably above the max recommended weight) uses the board and experiences significantly more flex than they’d feel on the thicker version.
Speed: 6.6/10
The speed score given above is a comparative rating to other sizes and styles of paddleboards, whereby 14’ raceboards would be scoring in the high 9s, and the widest all-round boards or surf-orientated shorter boards would be in the 5s or below.
Over the many years that we have been reviewing paddleboards at supboardguide.com, we have experimented with numerous different methodologies for speed testing, involving various hardware and software solutions. However, none have proved replicable; even using the same rider in the same conditions the numbers would vary from day to day, and of course when using different riders, or even just a different paddle, the results would change significantly. For this reason, while we still test all boards in cruise mode, fast cruise mode and then push them as hard as we can, we no longer give ‘absolute’ speed data (ie 5.5mph etc) – which ultimately doesn’t really matter unless you’re specifically looking to compete – and now report more on the general feel of the board when asked to perform.
While its rounded nose is not designed for speed, the Thurso Walkerwater 132 is still long enough at 11’ to possess reasonably decent glide, and also benefits from being relatively light.
Cruising
This is how most beginner/early intermediate paddlers will be using the Waterwalker 132, and it’s very comfortable paddling in this mode. The length and light weight gives the board an easy passage over the water, and is noticeably the best of the three Waterwalkers in this mode, gliding along at a decent pace with very little effort required.
Fast Cruising
Again, the Waterwalker 132 is noticeably more comfortable than its smaller siblings in this mode; the extra bit of length helps the board find its line and glide that much more easily. While it’s not a natural speedster, it’s certainly not fighting you in the way that many all-round boards do when you try and push them a bit faster.
Going Hard
At full speed, the board starts to flex a bit and you can feel that wide nose working against you, as are the three big fins in the tail. Nevertheless, again it’s very noticeable just how much better the Waterwalker 132 is than the smaller boards in this mode. It really does show just how important board length is in determining boardspeed.
Overall
While higher speeds isn’t what the Waterwalker 132 is designed to achieve, it definitely fares better in this department than the smaller boards in the Waterwalker range thanks to that extra bit of length. The vast majority of buyers of a board like this are never going to be needing to push it to maximum speed though, so overall it’s not a hugely important aspect of performance anyway. If paddling at speed is your aim then a design with a more speed-orientated plan-shape such as the Expedition 138 will be a better bet.
If you did want to improve the speed performance slightly, losing the side fins and replacing the center fin with a stiffer blade will make a useful difference.
As for how the 6” version fares in terms of speed, the thicker design flexes less when you are really cranking maximum power out of your stroke, which for heavier paddlers would be a significant advantage. So if speed is a parameter that matters to you, the 6” version may well be a better bet.
Tracking: 8.8/10
Tracking ultimately comes down to board length; a longer board will almost always track better than a shorter board of the same general width. So our tracking scores are intended to show how a board compares to other boards in its size. In the case of the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 the scores compare to other boards in the 10’0 – 11’6 all-purpose/touring category.
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 tracks pretty well for an 11’ board, benefitting from that long straight section in the plan shape, as the parallel sides lock the board onto its course. The three fin configuration also plays its part.
How well a board stays on its course is down to many things, the board shape itself being just one of them. Check out our how-to video for a lot on how to keep your board on track when you’re paddling.
Tracking is largely unaffected by board thickness, unless it’s windy and you’re paddling across the wind, in which case the thicker board will experience more push from the breeze attempting to turn the board downwind. Otherwise it’s not an issue.
Overall, the Waterwalker 132 performs slightly better than average in this area of performance, compared to other boards of similar length and width. If you want to boost the tracking capabilities further, replace the center fin with a more upright touring fin (as comes with the Expedition boards), which will increase the grip quite a bit.
Maneuverability: 8.9/10
Maneuverability scores are based on comparative performance to boards of a similar general length and style. In the case of the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 the scores compare to other boards in the 10’0 – 11’6 all-purpose/touring category.
Normally when a board tracks reasonably well, the turning performance isn’t fantastic, but the Waterwalker designs seem to manage to buck that trend to a degree, by being very well balanced in terms of volume distribution about the center point. As a result the Thurso Waterwalker 132 does seem quite happy to pivot, which makes forward sweeps and crossbow turning very easy. Turning strokes from the rear of the board, such as reverse sweep turns, require a bit more push due to the three fins exerting quite a lot of grip, but it still goes around quite quickly and easily.
If you want to put some sizzle into the Waterwalker 132’s turning capabilities, take that center fin out. It hardly affects the stability at all but really loosens the board up, making turning a whole lot more fun and speedy.
While board thickness doesn’t in itself have much impact on turning, other than lowering the swing weight of the nose and tail when the thickness is reduced, it does feel easier to crank a hard turn on the thinner board simply due to feeling slightly more stable, which enables you to go for it a bit more. So if you want the best possible maneuvering, choose the 4.7” board.
To understand more about turning styles and how to do them, check out our how-to video
Construction Quality: 9.5/10
While the Waterwalkers have been Thurso’s mainstay range of all-round paddleboards for several years and the shapes have remained unchanged, the construction has been on a continuous journey of improvement and refinement, and for 2025 the big change is the move to welded seams and X woven dropstitch. Plus of course there is now the option to purchase the board in either 4.7” or 6” thickness, as discussed throughout this review.
Inside the board
The Waterwalker 132 interior features X woven drop stitch, which is great for both rigidity and light weight. While it’s quoted at 4.7” thick, we actually measured it at 5” thick.
Top and Bottom Skin
The outer shell of the Thurso Waterwalker 132 uses a fusion lamination process, whereby heat and pressure fuse two layers of PVC together to create the skin material, which is then bonded to the dropstitch substrate. This fusion construction process results in a light yet strong and rigid material, and delivers very good performance.
Side Construction
Thurso Surf have changed their rail construction for 2025, moving from carbon strips to a welded seam construction. The inner side panel joining the top and bottom layers is now heat welded as well as glued, which increases the structural integrity, and almost certainly the longevity of the board too.
Board Stiffness: 1.38” Bend
Board stiffness is one area where the thickness of the board does make a major difference. Comparing the two versions of the Waterwalker 132 with our bend test, the 4.7” version deflected by 1.38” when loaded up with 150 lbs of weight, whereas the 6” version only bent by 1.22”. That’s nearly 10% difference, which may not sound like a lot, but what our bend test does not reveal is the damping factor. The thicker board absorbs the bumps more and smooths them out quicker. So if you jump up and down on the thicker board it not only deflects less, but it also handles it better and returns to normal more quickly.
To ascertain the rigidity of each board we review, we have been using our own specific laboratory bend test process since 2021. The board is inflated to its maximum recommended PSI and positioned exactly on our measuring jig. 150lb weight is then applied to the standing area to see how much bend it causes. While this isn’t an exact replication of the weight distortion that occurs when a rider stands on a SUP board in the water, it still gives a very useful comparative tool in determining the relative stiffness of the various board construction processes.
Features/Accessory Review: [9.4/10]
Features:
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 comes in three colorways, Crimson, the ‘Turquoise’ scheme shown in the pix here, or the more understated ‘dusk’ featuring a darker shade of blue. Whatever color scheme you choose, the nose area of the board features that wood finish look, which gives the board a really classy look.
The deckpad on the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 is EVA foam, with a textured grip surface that works well, although we did find that the grip could feel a little slippery under bare feet when it was extremely wet.
So let’s now take a walk-through of the fittings and features that the Waterwalker 132 comes with.
Starting at the nose, there’s a well-cushioned carry handle along with a versatile action camera mount. This multi-compatible fitting can accommodate a slide-in GoPro mount or anything that screws into an M8 thread, so it should work with most action camera mounts.
Moving back, you’ll find three bungee-style cargo straps. While they’re made from quality material, they do have quite a bit of stretch, which makes them a bit tricky to cinch down tightly. They’re spaced fairly far apart as well, making them better suited for stashing clothing or a dry bag rather than securing something smaller and harder, like a water bottle or sandals.
Just behind that, there’s a set of four sturdy D-rings designed for attaching a kayak seat. At the front of the deck pad we find two more action camera mounts – this time the screw-in type – positioned on either side. Also flanking the main standing area are paddle holder straps on both sides, which is great.
Behind the primary standing zone is a generous stretch of clear deck space, free of clutter, and then right back at the tail we find two further bungee straps. We’d prefer to see three, perhaps a bit closer together, which would probably be a lot more useful for carrying stuff. Especially as the strap design makes them very easy to remove if not desired, so there would be no drawbacks to having better carrying options back there. Finally, the tail features another padded carry handle and a leash attachment point.
Flipping the board over, the underside reveals Thurso’s standard three fin configuration. The center fin sits in a split-style US finbox, flanked by a pair of side thruster fins that are positioned unusually close to the centerline.
The center fin mounts into the split US finbox using the included bolt, but Thurso Surf also provides three optional click-in tensioners that allow you to push the fin into place without needing tools. While that system is clever in theory, the supplied center fin is quite soft and flexible, which makes it awkward to get a solid grip on when trying to push it into place. In practice, it wasn’t the easiest to install using the click-in method, and we tended to default to the well-proven nut-and-bolt solution!
The two side fins slot into FCS-style finboxes. These fins are inserted and clicked back into place, then secured using allen bolts and the included key. It’s a little fiddly, but generally, if the fin clicks in properly, it stays put even without tightening the bolts—though securing them is still the safer option for peace of mind.
Kudos to Thurso Surf for including such a well-designed accessory carry case with their boards. It comes with individual pockets for fins, bolts, allen keys, repair kit items, and all the other small bits and pieces. This smart addition makes it easy to keep your gear neatly organized and lets you quickly check that nothing’s missing before you head to the beach—no more fishing around in the bottom of the bag or dealing with scattered storage like you normally might.
Included Accessories:
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 can be purchased board only, with just the leash and fins, or as a package with the option of including accessories such as the very nice Thurso life vest, the Thurso backpack, a rechargeable electric pump, kayak seat, SUP carrier strap or the Thurso Surf Carbon Hybrid 3 piece adjustable paddle. Purchasing the accessories as part of the bundle makes a lot of sense as the prices are typically around 20% cheaper than buying them individually. The Thurso electric pump is reasonably powerful, and takes about 8 minutes to inflate the board. The backpack has rucksack straps and wheels and is sensibly spacious, we found it easy to get all the equipment in with space left over.
The Carbon Hybrid paddle is a reasonably good beginner/intermediate paddle, but we’d like to see Thurso also offer the bundling option of their higher performance paddle options too, because the Waterwalker 132 will have appeal to a wider range of paddlers, many of whom would most definitely benefit from a higher performance paddle, such as Thurso’s Carbon Elite model, which we liked a lot.
Summary Review of the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132
The Thurso Surf Waterwalker 132 is a great general purpose paddleboard. At 11’ x 32” it’s just slightly longer and narrower than your typical beginner board, which gives it considerably better glide and a more purposeful feel through the water. So it has quite a bit more to offer for the paddler who wants to go further than a bit of basic paddling. With its great set of fittings and cargo options it offers plenty of versatility too.
As for the choice between the 4.7” and 6” models, we’ve discussed the pros and cons in each performance section. The 6” board wins in speed and stiffness, while the 4.7” takes the lead when it comes to stability and maneuverability. In our view it also wins in terms of general feel. Some people do prefer the feel of a thicker board, but often it’s simply because up until very recently, very few brands could actually build a reduced-thickness board with remotely decent performance. When comparing good quality boards of different thicknesses, the thinner is usually a clear favorite.
Overall, Thurso Surf have done a great job in upgrading the Waterwalker 132 for the new season, and we see no reason why it shouldn’t continue to be a best-seller in their range.
Happy paddling! We hope you enjoyed this review of the Thurso Waterwalker 132-12. If you have any questions or comments please leave us a comment below!
Bill Dawes
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I’m torn between the waterwalker 132 and the irocker all around 11′. I’m 5ft, 156 pounds just getting into paddle boarding so stability is a priority for me. Will mostly be on open water or canals and rivers with occasional yoga and occasionally taking out a small dog around 15 pounds. Which board do you think would be best?
Thanks Emma.
Emma,
Both those boards are very similar in terms of stability, so you can’t go wrong with either of them. The main difference to choose between is that the iRocker is a bit lighter, while the Thurso has carbon fiber rails which makes it a little more stiff (and heavier). Both feel really good on the water, so I’d also recommend going with the one you prefer from a looks standpoint. That might sound a bit shallow…but in this case you really will enjoy either board!
I hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the great reviews!
I’m torn between the Thurso Surf Waterwalker 126 and 132. I’m 6’4″, 200lbs. I’m new to the sport but athletic and quick to advance. I’ll be paddling on lakes and rivers with some whitewater. Would a more advanced paddler my size go with the 126 as a one board quiver? I understand the tradeoffs (e.g., maneuverability vs tracking), just not sure which direction (shorter vs longer) you see people going more often than not with these all around boards?!
Thank you!
Julian,
I sent this to you via email, but thought I’d also copy/paste that here for other readers on similar situations:
—–
At 6’4 and 200, I would go with the Thurso 132 over the 130. You’ll like the extra length, and the board isn’t any wider so you’re not sacrificing anything on the touring side of things.
Another board you might want to consider would be the Blackfin Model X. This will be a better whitewater board given it is wider and a little shorter than the Thurso 132. It will be a little more maneuverable in the river, which is nice if you are looking to get into more whitewater SUPing.
The downside to the Blackfin is that you will have to reach over just slightly more to keep your paddle vertical, which comes into play when you are out touring on flat water. At 6’4 it might not be a big deal, especially if the primary purpose of the board is for whitewater, and the paddling around the lake is secondary. Unfortunately, touring vs whitewater SUPing are two very different activities with different board requirements, so unless you buy two boards then you are going to have to decide which tradeoff is more important to you in terms of stability, maneuverability, and speed/tracking.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any follow up questions!
Hi – great reviews. Thank you!
I am 6’ 2” and 180lbs, but looking for a SUP that can also be used by my 5’ 4” wife and daughter. I am interested in the most solid / performance feeling all around board and thought the Thurso 132 hit the mark. Is the length ok for all, or would you suggest going with the smaller 126 or 120 or a different SUP altogether?
Matt,
That 11′ length is great for both you and your wife. A shorter board will be a little more sporty feeling, but for touring across the lake and paddling with your daughter, I’d recommend going with the longer board.
Hello! Thanks for the review of the 132. I’m 5’0″ and 120 pounds, so thinking it would be a bit large for me. I’d be curious if you know how the 120 compares in terms of stability and speed. It’s a bit narrower (30″) than other boards on the market which appeals to me from a handling standpoint. I’m not looking for something super wide for yoga, dogs, etc. but don’t want it to feel crazy tippy. Thanks!!
Hi Melissa, I’m actually about the same height and weight as you and the Thurso 120 is one of my favorites that we’ve tested out. For people our size, it’s not tippy at all and will definitely be easier to handle than the 132.
Hi,
I recently purchased the BlackFin Model X as a family board. I’d like to get one of the waterwalkers more tailored to me and can’t decide on which one. I’m 5’4, 135 pounds. Would you suggest the 120,126 or 132?
Thanks!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Happy to hear you’re considering a second board! Any of those boards would work for you, but it depends what your personal preferences are. The 120 is quick and sporty, while the 126 provides a little more stability and has a more leisurely paddling feel. The 132 has the most volume/stability out of the three, and it’d be a good choice if you were bringing along some gear or a small dog/child, but may not be what you’re looking for in a solo board. Personally, I’m 5’2 and 135ish lbs and prefer the 120.
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions.