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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.
Contents
What Is The Wavestorm Paddle Board?
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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 2022 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
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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.
- ISLE Versa Epoxy Standup Paddle Board
- PEAK Escape Soft Top Aqua Stand Up Paddle Board
- iROCKER Cruiser Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Wavestorm Paddle Board
- Ease of Use
- Capacity
- Safety
- Comfort
- Performance
Ease of Use:
While the Wavestorm is perfect for beginners, its lightweight material makes it slightly harder to paddle than traditional epoxy boards. The three marine wood stringers will make it easier to paddle than other foam boards. The foam construction make it a little less stable than the epoxy boards, but its length and width make up for this.
Capacity:
The Wavestorm Paddle Board will hold up to 300 lbs. securely. This gives the rider plenty of capacity to take along a small child or a pet. Because of its lightweight design, this large capacity comes with a total board weight of only 25 pounds. This makes it easier to carry to and from the water.
Safety:
We strongly reccomend that every paddle boarder wear the proper life preserver when on the water. Aside from that, this board is as safe as they come. Its foam structure make it less likely to strike the rider in a crash, and the leash keeps the rider attached to the board in case they get separated. The length and width of the board also give the rider a wider surface area and stability.
Comfort:
The patented foam surface makes the Wavestorm one of the most comfortable boards available. This gives the board a cushion that will feel great on your feet, knees, or whatever body part you sit on while paddling.
Performance:
For an inexpensive paddle board made for beginners, this board performs well. The foam boards aren’t as fast as the epoxy boards, and its width makes it slower and harder to paddle, even though this same feature makes it more stable for first-time paddlers.
PROS
- Patented materials make it durable and lightweight
- Size and weight make it easy to float and carry
- Good quality at a very affordable price
- Foam construction allows for a comfortable ride
- Comes with everything you need and some extras
CONS
- Foam construction makes it a little harder to control and less rigid than epoxy
- Foam construction makes it harder to paddle than epoxy
ISLE Versa Epoxy Standup Paddle Board
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.
- Ease of Use
- Capacity
- Safety
- Comfort
- Performance
Ease of Use: 5 Stars
Its wider width and rigid epoxy construction make the Isle Versa maneuverable, and its weight makes it easy to paddle through the water.
Capacity:
The Isle Versa board has a weight capacity of 275 pounds. This is slightly less than the Wavestorm but still versatile enough to accommodate one paddler and a small passenger. This is the typical capacity for a beginner to intermediate board.
Safety:
Its durability and maneuverability make this a safe and stable board. Just one draw back for beginners is the hard, epoxy exterior. As new paddlers are getting used to riding they may have a few falls. The hard surface of the board would not be very forgiving to soft flesh.
Comfort:
While this board offers a comfortable patented surface to prevent slipping, it does not offer the soft foam top like the Wavestorm. The epoxy exterior makes it great for paddling but not so great for sitting.
Performance:
While the Isle Versa will not impress any advanced riders, its construction and size make it a great option for beginners when considering maneuverability and balance.
PROS
- Durable but lightweight board
- Easy to maneuver
- Good quality construction
- Versatile
CONS
- Higher priced at nearly $800
- Thinner board
PEAK Escape Soft Top Aqua Stand Up Paddle Board
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.
- Ease of Use
- Capacity
- Safety
- Comfort
- Performance
Ease of Use:
Since the PEAK board has a foam interior, it can be hard to steer. Its lightweight construction also makes it a little less stable.
Capacity:
With a length over 10 feet and a width of 32″, this board can hold a paddler and a small passenger or pet. The weight limit on this board is only 250, which is less than other boards we reviewed.
Safety:
Overall, the PEAK is a safe board, with its stability and foam core design. It also includes a large traction pad along the surface to help prevent falls.
Comfort:
This board includes a soft EVA deck, making it very comfortable to sit, stand, or kneel.
Performance:
While the PEAK Escape is great for beginner and intermediate riders, it does not perform like boards made for more advanced riders.
PROS
- Great for various water activities
- Offers great stability for beginner riders
- Extra padding for a more comfortable ride
CONS
- Price is high for a beginner board
- Does not accommodate as much weight
- Only offers a single wooden stringer for less rigidity
iROCKER Cruiser Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
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.
- Ease of Use
- Capacity
- Safety
- Comfort
- Performance
Ease of Use:
The iROCKER is stable. Its slightly wider girth makes for a less rocky ride. Because it is a larger vessel, it is harder to steer.
Capacity:
If we could give it six stars here, we would. The capacity for the iROCKER is just at 350 pounds. Because it is inflatable, the weight isn’t affected too much by this. This paddle board still weighs in at just 26 pounds.
Safety:
Its large size and durable construction make it a safe option for the whole family.
Comfort:
While its size will make it a nice ride, there are no special features on this board to add to the comfort of the riders.
Performance:
While the large capacity will make this a very stable option, it also makes it a slow one. While the iROCKER won’t be winning any races, it will at least help keep you on your feet.
PROS
- Stable with a very high capacity
- Great portability
- Versatile uses (yoga, fishing)
- Quality construction
CONS
- Not very easy to steer because of width
- Price is high compared to the Wavestorm
- Could create drag and ride slow because of large capacity
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.
Last update on 2022-02-28 at 18:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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