Retrospec Weekender iSUP Review: The Best Budget Paddle Board for Beginners?

Retrospec Weekender iSUP Review: The Best Budget Paddle Board for Beginners?

Retrospec’s Weekender is simple and affordable, easy to haul, inflate, and deflate, and boasts all the necessary stability to empower the novice and recreational rider. I’d stop short, however, of dismissing it as a price-point model. For starters, it comes in a choice of six color combinations, seven if you include the limited-edition Grateful Dead colorway. That’s appreciated in a high-sales segment if you prefer to stand out from the pack. It also comes with a quality adjustable paddle, the right accessories—including a waterproof phone case and dual-action pump—and a better-than-entry-level backpack to haul all of the above back and forth to the water. Retrospec carries a number of paddle boards for all skill levels and interests.

Yes, the single-layer construction reveals a tad more flex than boards higher up the food chain, and we’re not sure we’d agree with that 275-pound weight limit, but all in all, we left our trial with the Weekender impressed. It’s a good-looking performer that’s easy on the wallet, tailored to a wide audience, and ready not just for the occasional weekend…but those other five days of the week as well.

Core Values

Like most iSUPs in a similar price range, the Weekender relies on drop-stitch construction, using a skeleton of knit substrate top and bottom joined by literally thousands of fine polyester threads to limit expansion and produce the rigid end product that buyers expect. Top and bottom sheets are covered with a single, durable layer of puncture-resistant PVC before being connected with glued-on, double-layer PVC side rails to form the air and water-tight enclosure. A trio of fin boxes allows for tailoring fins to rider preference or water conditions. A criss-crossing bungee forward secures gear, a grooved EVA foam pad spans the back two-thirds of the top deck to provide comfort and traction, and a centrally placed carry handle is ready to haul to the water. Yes, an additional handle at each end would be nice; their absence was missed when we wanted to do a two-person carry to the water. The overall feel, however, is sleek and sporty.

A big plus is Retrospec’s inclusion of a two-stage manual pump. We’ll take an electric inflater any day, but if you’ve got to work to inflate your board the old-fashioned way it’s at least nice to have a pump that doubles your input. The three-piece aluminum paddle is also above average for the price point. It’s made from aluminum and has a solid, sturdy feel. The grey, powder-coated finish also has some texture to it, adding a little grip while staying cooler in the sun.

More kudos to Retrospec for always labeling the front of their ABS plastic blades. Novice paddlers often use SUP paddles backwards, limiting their effectiveness.

Specs? Inflated, the Weekender measures 10’ 6” x 32” x 6” and weighs a little under 18 pounds. Fins include one 9” for the center and two 4.5” side fins. The three-piece aluminum paddle expands to 7’ in length.

Flow State

At the beach, the setup was relatively simple. As expected, manual inflation was a little bit of a workout, but the dual-action pump shortens the process by pushing air into the board on both the up and downstroke. Suggestion? Use dual-action for initial inflation, then single-action to bring the board to the recommended 12-15 PSI. Fins slide into fin boxes and are secured with small, tethered clips. Use the larger center fin alone, or pair with side fins to improve tracking.

The paddle easily adjusted to our preferred height; take a few turns on the locking lever before clamping to increase the tension and prevent slipping out on the water. Within the bungee strapping, we easily fit necessities like a PFD, dry bag, and water bottle.

Underway, the tapered nose/square-tailed board responded well in calm conditions, allowing multiple strokes on each side at a recreational pace without excessive wandering and responding well to directional changes. In short, it’s a good match for the target audience. Pick up the tempo or hit some chop, however, and that aforementioned flex becomes evident, but the Weekender never felt unstable for our test riders in the 120-160-pound range. That said, keep in mind the board’s physical size and degree of flex means things will get a little more squirrely in choppier conditions or when piloted by heavier riders. We wouldn’t suggest going beyond 200 pounds—especially when Retrospec and others make larger boards that are better suited for this audience.

Finally, while several outings for the purpose of a review don’t compare to a season of use, the board proved durable, bumping into the occasional piling, dock, and launch ramp, and handled multiple inflations, deflations, and rolling up without issue. In case of a mishap, patches are included in the repair kit that comes with the board. For additional peace of mind, Retrospec offers a two-year warranty against manufacturer's defects.

Retrospec Weekender iSUP Review: Final Impression

Ultimately, we found Retrospec’s Weekender a solid offering for its $249.99 price tag. Rather than cookie-cutter, it comes in a wide range of attractive colors and graphic patterns that allow buyers to stand out from the pack. It also offers durable construction and a nice blend of stability and agility that should satisfy both newcomers and those who want to progress. Paddle, pump, and backpack are also better than the price would suggest.

In short, for those who long to get out on the water and experience paddleboarding, the Weekender just may make your weekend…and more.

For more information, visit: https://retrospec.com/products/weekender-10-inflatable-stand-up-paddleboard