The Wavestorm Paddle Board Review: A Good Option For You?

So you're finally ready to get on the paddle board wave, and who can blame you? Between the health benefits, hanging with friends, and getting up close and personal with nature, there's something in paddle boarding for everyone. While it's fairly simple to pick up, at least after a few dozen falls, it's important to get the right board for your abilities.

If you are just starting out, there are certain boards you should consider. The following article takes a comprehensive look at one of the leading beginner boards in an honest Wavestorm Paddle Board review. 

What Is The Wavestorm Paddle Board?

It makes perfect sense that the number one surf board seller in the United States wouldn't take long to join the SUP revolution. Just like with their surfboards, they bring a high quality but inexpensive option to the table. Wavestorm has only been in the surfboard and paddle board business for just over a decade, but they have taken the ocean, and lakes, by storm. As of 2019 they sell 5 times more surfboards than any of their competition, and with their Wavestorm Paddle Boards, they could do the same.

There are many things to like about this paddle board, especially if you are a beginner to the sport. This is an inexpensive option, so the financial commitment is minimal compared to a lot of the products out there. You can get the board two for the price of one on Amazon and at Costco. We will touch on all the things that make this board a great option later on in this article, but you can't go wrong with the 9'6 Wavestorm SUP.

Product Specs

When conducting this Wavestorm paddle board review, we homed in on three main areas where the Wavestorm shines. Every paddle boarder, especially those just starting out, will enjoy having a durable board that is easy to assemble and use,and comes with all you need to hit the water.

Durability

While conducting this Wavestorm paddle board review, we had to examine its durability. While the price is lower than other boards, there is nothing cheap about the construction of this board. The core is made of strong ESP (expanded polystyrene) foam and includes not one, but three marine wood stringers (think strips of wood that run down the middle of the board) for added rigidity and strength. The bottom skin (covering) is constructed of a HDPE (high density polyethylene) for extra durability and to make the craft glide easier over the water.

The skin covering the top of the board is made with patented GFT (graphic film technology), which gives it a strong water barrier and a soft and comfortable surface. This patented material is U.V. protected and fade resistant to keep your board looking new longer. The deck (or top where you stand) includes traction pads for better grip and comfort. This surface is a patented foam surface pioneered by Wavestorm. The construction of the Wavestorm makes it more immune to the crashes and dings that are sure to happen.

With the traditional epoxy (fiberglass) boards, a hard hit could put a hole right through it. The foam layered construction of the Wavestorm allows it to take a hit and just keep ticking. Not only can it take rough waves and water currents, but it can also withstand drops, kicks, river rocks, and even being tossed around. While it may carry scars from these accidents, those dings and scrapes won't affect the way it floats and glides.

Ease Of Assembly And Use

The Wavestorm is so easy to assemble that you can take it from box to beach in less than 5 minutes. The only tool required is a Phillips screwdriver for one screw on the fin. The leash feeds through itself, creating a sturdy eye knot, and the paddle comes assembled and just needs to be adjusted to your height. The top should be six inches above your head. For storage, you can easily remove the fin.

An All-In-One Option

While more expensive boards require you to purchase all of your gear separately, the Wavestorm comes with everything you will need to start paddling. For the price you will pay for two of these boards and accessories, you could barely buy one board from other sellers. The price includes the board, a single 9" fin, a 10' long leash, an adjustable paddle, and a waterproof storage bag or board sock.

Pricing

As previously noted, for around $$$, you get two Wavestorm boards and double the accessories. Most of its competitors charge the same amount for just one board. We could also find single boards, including accessories, for just under $400 in case you don't have a someone to share the second board with or don't want to have a second board just in case. You really can't do better than these Wavestorm boards in terms of price and quality.

The Wavestorm Paddle Board Review: How Does It Compare To The Competition?

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

This paddle board has a traditional epoxy (hard board) construction. Even with the fiberglass construction, it is still a lightweight option at just 27 pounds. This makes it easy to control in the water. This board measures 10'5 long and 32 inches wide with a volume of 175 Liters. It's one of the more expensive options for a beginner board, but it's constructed with durable thermal molded technology.

The PEAK Escape is a foam core board with a sturdy Polyethylene plastic outer shell. This board is 10'5 long with a width of 32" and a volume of 175 Liters. This board has a single wooden stringer for extra strength, and it also has reinforced side rails. This board is great for beginners and intermediate users and is a versatile choice. The PEAK also includes a bungee system in the board's front for storage and includes a waterproof phone case within the included accessories. It also has a soft EVA shell top for added comfort.

This is the only inflatable SUP on our list, but it is quite durable, with bombproof quad-layer PVC construction and military grade triple layer stitching. This board measures similar to the others we've looked at with a height of 10' 6 and a width of 33", but it has a much higher capacity. It also has a slight rocker (curved up nose) to make it more responsive. This board offers several D ring attachments for storage and comes with a pump and a water proof storage bag.

Conclusion

Overall, the Wavestorm is a great buy. It holds its own against the competition as a durable and stable beginner board, but it wins in price hands down. For this Wavestorm paddle board review we give it 4.75 stars.