Revamped and improved for 2019, the new THURSO SURF Expedition is a fast inflatable touring SUP that measures 11’6″ x 30″ x 6″. The Expedition iSUP model was introduced last season, and THURSO has made a variety of nice improvements to the board’s design for 2019.
If you’re looking for a board that offers more speed and performance than the typical all-around inflatable paddle board, the new Expedition touring iSUP is definitely a board to consider. For those who want a super fun touring board like Red Paddle’s 12’6″ Voyager without the premium price tag, the Expedition is a great option.
In this review, we’ll cover the basics of this board such as the construction, features, specs, included accessories, and warranty. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons and best place to buy it.
THURSO Expedition Touring SUP: Board Overview
The THURSO SURF Expedition 11’6″ is a fast inflatable paddle board that tracks well and is great for paddling longer distances. Whether you’re cruising the coastline, racing around the lake with friends, or embarking on a multi-day SUP excursion and loaded down with tons of camping gear, the Expedition is capable of delivering the performance you need.
As we mentioned, this board is 30″ wide, 6″ thick, and it weighs in at 28 pounds. With 300 L of volume and a maximum weight capacity of 450 pounds, you’ll have no problem loading it up with camping gear, fishing gear, and even a big dog.
This board’s triple fin configuration and sleek lines give it excellent tracking capabilities, and we really like the fact that the fins are all removable making it easier to pack the Expedition down into a smaller footprint.
Entering their third season, THURSO SURF is a company that listens intently to customer feedback and continually tweaks their designs to deliver exactly what people are asking for. With the new Expedition model, they’ve done this yet again.
We love the updated design of the Expedition, and the woodgrain graphic covering the top deck of the board is stunning. The graphics on the rails and underside also contribute to the board’s sporty vibe, resulting in an inflatable SUP that really turns heads when it’s on the water.
Construction
As with the company’s popular Waterwalker 11′ and Waterwalker 10’6″ all-around iSUPs, the Expedition features a tough double layer construction with triple and quad military-grade PVC coatings on the side and deck of the board. All of THURSO’s boards are built to take a beating and it’s great to know that this board doesn’t need to be babied.
Features
On the top of the THURSO Expedition is a sporty EVA foam traction pad with a convenient carrying handle mid-board. There are also D-rings along the board’s rails for attaching THURSO’s optional kayak seat as well as paddle holders to secure your paddle when you’re out on the water. This is typically a feature that is seen on SUP fitness boards like the THURSO Tranquility, but it’s a feature that comes in handy at other times like whenever you want to go swimming, shoot some photos, or stop while you’re on the water for a quick bite to eat.
At the nose of the Expedition are 6 more D-ring attachment points as well as a massive bungee storage area for securing your camping gear, dry bags, fishing gear, and more. There’s also a convenient grab handle at the nose which helps whenever you’re pulling the board in and out of the water.
Located at the tail of the SUP is a second bungee storage area with 4 more D-rings, a nice Halkey-Roberts H3 inflation valve, and another D-ring for attaching an ankle leash. One thing that’s missing at the tail is a second grab handle and that’s really something we’d love to see added in the future.
Lastly, on the bottom of the board are 3 removable fins that attach securely with a locking clip.
THURSO SURF Expedition 11' Rating
- Construction
- Stability
- Features
- Versatility
- Speed
- Warranty
Specs
| LENGTH | 11'6" |
| WIDTH | 30" |
| THICKNESS | 6" |
| WEIGHT | 28 lbs |
| VOLUME | 300 L |
| MAX CAPACITY | 450 lbs |
| PRICE |  |
What’s Included
THURSO SURF has always been known for their great SUP accessory bundle, and the new 2019 boards are no exception. Included with the Expedition is a new wheeled roller backpack, improved 3-piece carbon fiber shaft paddle, coiled ankle leash, dual-action hand pump, and iSUP repair kit.
The big changes to THURSO’s accessory bundle this season are the omission of their insulated SUP deck bag and upgraded wheeled SUP bag. This was a smart move in our opinion as the deck bag wasn’t as high on the priority list as a heavier-duty SUP backpack with wheels, and everything about the new carrying bag is a huge improvement over the company’s first backpack.
THURSO also made a slight tweak to the design of their SUP paddle, increasing the reliability and addressing some durability issues that had popped up with the previous version.
Warranty
THURSO’s customer service is top-shelf and the young company has a wonderful track record of standing behind the gear they make. All of THURSO’s inflatable paddle boards are backed by a rock-solid 2-year warranty which completely covers you in the event of a manufacturing defect.
Where to Buy it
To get the lowest price and best customer service experience, we recommend purchasing the THURSO Expedition direct from the company through their secure online store.
Final Thoughts
The new Expedition is a stunning inflatable touring SUP that packs a lot of value. This latest version of this model features a beautifully reworked design and it’s priced much more affordably than many other touring iSUPs. If you’re looking for a board that delivers excellent performance, durability, and overall value, the Expedition is tough to beat.
