If you’ve been thinking about becoming a paddle border, then you’ve likely begun looking at all the boards available. I know it’s overwhelming how many boards are currently on the market. It can be really confusing to try and figure out which board is right for you. So I thought we could take a deeper look at the Retrospec Weekender 10’ iSUP.

In this review, we are going to take a deep dive into this board from Retrospec to see if the Weekender 10’ is the board for you. Every little aspect of this board is going to be covered right here and now, so let’s dive into this Retrospec Weekender 10 iSUP review.

A Drop In The Ocean – Overview

I totally get that you might not have the time or patience to read this entire review. So, I’ve created this overview to give you the rundown of the Retrospec Weekender 10’ iSUP. This inflatable stand up paddle board is 10’ x 30″ x 6″ (L x W x T) in terms of measurements. The board itself weighs about 17 lbs and can support weights of up to 275 lbs.

Retrospec has included everything you need to get you started, so you’ll be able to paddle with the Weekender right out of the box. The overall design is stylish, and the construction is decent. While it’s an all-around board, it can’t be used for long-distance touring or racing. Overall, the Retrospec Weekender offers a great experience for paddlers both new to the sport and those with a bit more experience.

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What Kind Of Paddler Is The Retrospec Weekender 10 iSUP For?

There are four things to consider when understanding who the Weekender 10’ iSUP is for, and that’s weight, height, skill level, and purpose.

Let’s start with weight. The Weekender 10’ iSUP has a weight capacity that cannot exceed 275 lbs. When you exceed this weight, the board begins to perform worse in the water. Additionally, it causes the board to cave in at the board’s center.

When it comes to height, we’re looking at a relatively small board with the Weekender, and as a result, I’d say that it shouldn’t be a board taller people consider. This is due to the fact that they might struggle with the balance being off due to the Weekender not being able to accommodate their height.

Now to consider the skill level of the paddler, I want to make it clear this board is for any skill level. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that newbie paddlers would find much more use for this board. If you’re a pro looking for an easy, cheap, and well-made board for general use, this could be a board you enjoy. But for strenuous activities, you’ll be disappointed.

Finally, purpose. This board isn’t able to be used for competitive racing, shredding waves, or white-water riding. It’s not even all that capable of achieving long-distance touring. So what can it do? Well, it’s perfect for recreational use, yoga, fishing, and light touring. You might be able to catch small waves, but it’s not something I’d count on.

Specs Overview

Specs Deep Dive

The Retrospec Weekender 10’ iSUP has a lot of specific elements that I want to cover, so you get the true full picture of this incredible board. So, let’s take a look at what it’s got to offer.

Type

As previously mentioned, the Weekender is an all-around board, and it is used primarily for recreational paddling in calm waters. You can enjoy it for certain activities like yoga, fishing, light touring, and in rare instances, light surfing.

Color

The Retrospec Weekender 10’ comes in a variety of color options. The options available include orange powder blue, creamsicle (bright orange, cream, and light blue), nautical blue, navy zion (navy with various color stripes), seafoam gradient, seafoam stripes, and wild spruce.

Materials

Like most inflatable paddle boards, the Weekender uses drop-stitch core material. It’s then surrounded with fabric to hold that drop-stitch together. To encase it all is a PVC layer with double-layering taking place around the rails. Finally, you’ve got the deck pad which is a standard EVA foam pad for comfort and to help keep you on the board.

Construction

The Weekender 10’ is an iSUP which means that it inflates and deflates. This makes the Weekender an easy board to travel with and store when not in use. Inflating the board isn’t difficult and only requires the use of the included manual pump or an electric pump (bought separately) to inflate (or deflate with electric pumps) to use.

Length

The Weekender is a respectable 10 feet long. This isn’t exceptionally long, though, and this is why it’s considered a board for average paddlers. When a board is longer, it results in more speed and less maneuverability. However, this board seems to achieve a moderate degree of both, which is a benefit.

Width

The width of the Weekender is 30 inches. This width makes the weekender in the middle of being narrow and wide and offers a decent amount of stability. With the stability, newbie paddlers are able to enjoy the board without too much resistance. Even better, combined with the length of the board, these measurements make it the optimal size for a great performance on several fronts, including stability, speed, and maneuverability.

Board Weight

The Retrospec Weekender 10’ weighs 17 lbs which makes it an extremely lightweight inflatable paddle board.

Weight Capacity

The Weekender is strictly for paddlers weighing less than 275 lbs. Anything above 275 lbs will begin weighing down on the board, causing the middle to cave in, less stability while paddling, and overall decreased performance.

Key Features

While the Retrospec Weekender has numerous features, I want to focus on a few key features this iSUP offers:

• A six-point bungee storage system.
• EVA foam deck.
• 1 x D-ring.
• Carry handle in the center.
• 3 x fins (all detachable)
• The entire kit to get you started.

Pros & Cons

While there’s a lot to love about the Retrospec Weekender 10 iSUP, it’s by no means a perfect paddle board. So, let’s take a look at what the pros and cons of this board are:

Pros

• It’s clearly a well-constructed budget board.
• Its performance on the water isn’t bad at all.
• Comes with everything you need to get started.
• The Weekend 10’ is stable.
• The board is comfortable.
• Perfect for yoga and fishing.
• Won’t collapse in the center (unless max weight limit is exceeded).

Cons

• The board is on the smaller side.
• The included pump isn’t great.

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FAQ

We’ve covered a lot when it comes to the Weekender 10’ iSUP, but that doesn’t mean we covered everything! So, let’s take a look at this frequently asked question about the Weekender 10’:

What Else Is Included In The Package?

The Retrospec Weekender is like many of its peers in that it offers a wide range of included gear to get you started on your paddle boarding journey. Let’s take a look at what Retrospec has included:

Pump

Pumps included in these iSUP packages are fairly standard. They’re manual, like the one Retrospec offers, and they’re also high-pressure pumps. The pump features a pressure gauge located on the top.

Paddle

The paddles offered with iSUPs are usually not the greatest quality. This isn’t necessarily the most amazing paddle, but it’s definitely better than most! It’s adjustable between 3 to 9 inches and can be broken up into three pieces. This makes it easy to store and transport in the included backpack.

The one downside is that this paddle is aluminum, and that’s a material notorious for not floating. So be very careful if you drop it in the water. You won’t have much time to retrieve it before it’s gone to the bottom of a lake or ocean.

Coiled Leash

Almost all iSUPs will include an ankle leash with their boards, and it’s for safety reasons. They’re not complicated to use. Simply attach one end of the coiled leash to your ankle and the other to the sole D-ring the Weekender has, and you’re secured.

Backpack

The included backpack with the Weekender 10’ isn’t necessarily anything special. It’s a standard backpack, and it’s able to carry everything the Weekender package includes (including the deflated board), so it’s handy to have when traveling to paddle boarding destinations.

Phone Case

There’s nothing special about this included item, but it’s still a nice inclusion. The phone case is waterproof and allows you to bring your phone out on the water without worrying about it getting wet. However, I recommend testing it first before just blindly trusting it will work!

Repair Kit

The Weekender features a standard repair kit that has PVC Patches and a valve wrench. This is to ensure you’re board has some longevity in case of an accident. While this is a well-constructed board, accidents can and do happen.

Removable Fins

I mentioned before that the Weekender has 3 fins included, and they’re all removable. There’s the middle one which is the biggest, and two smaller ones on either side. You’re able to detach them whenever you please, making it easy to paddle in certain waters where you might not need all three.

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Is The Weekender 10’ a Nightmare To Inflate?

A nightmare? No. A challenge? Yes. It takes about 270 to 280 pumps to fully inflate, and those final pumps aren’t going to be easy. It’s important to remember that the Weekender 10’ cannot exceed 15 PSI. You’ll be able to enjoy it comfortably between 13-14 PSI. The closer you get to 15 PSI, the firmer the board will be when using it.

So, Is The Retrospec Weekender 10 iSUP For You?

Before even considering the Retrospec Weekender, you need to consider what you’re looking for in paddle boarding. Forget about the board for a second, and just think about what you want to do as a paddle boarder. If you’re hoping to do long-distance touring, surfing, whitewater, or racing, you’re looking at the wrong board. This will not achieve any of those desires.

If you’re hoping to learn to paddle board, this is the board for you! If you want to enjoy true recreational paddle boarding, this is the board for you, even if you’re a professional. This is a comfortable budget board that’s convenient, easy to transport and store, and overall a joy to enjoy on the water.

Similar Options To Consider

Another great option to consider if you’re not vibing with the Retrospec Weekender is the Freein 10’6. It’s slightly bigger than the Weekender and is still perfect for beginners. It’s not a pricy model either, making it on par with what you’d expect in terms of price to start paddling. One of my favorite features of the Freein 10’6 is that it comes with a kayak seat which is unusual for a paddle board, considering it’s one of the very few examples. It makes the board offer a little more to those looking purely for recreational paddling.

Additionally, the Freein 10’6 offers a ton of d-rings, great construction, lightweight design, and a higher weight capacity of 341 lbs.

Wrap Up

At the end of the day, Retrospec has made a respectable board with the Weekender. Considering the reputable brand behind it, we shouldn’t be surprised. It’s a great board that’s affordable, stylish, and made using high-quality materials.

If you’re new to paddling, you might have found your new board, and it’s time to make a purchase. You can find the Retrospec Weekender on Amazon, the Retrospec Website, and at various major sporting goods retailers around the country.