Retrospec Weekender Tour Review

Retrospec Weekender Tour Review

Retrospec positions the 11’ 6” long, 32” wide Weekender Tour for the recreational, touring-oriented rider, who will likely prioritize a little added speed and distance over absolute stability. After spending several outings on the board we’d agree, but also argue that the Tour is also one of the better boards for the casual paddler or those that want to add an inflatable SUP to their quiver of toys at the lake house.

For the price point, it tracks exceptionally well, actually feels more stable than the base Weekender, and that additional speed and tracking seems to help more than hinder when it comes to beginners learning to balance. In addition to stability and a solid return on the paddler’s input, the board’s added rigidity also allows it to accommodate heavier riders.

In short, it’s kind of a twofer. A stable, beginner-friendly paddle board, ready to travel greater distances at faster speeds.

On Tour

The Tour’s pointed nose and squared-off tail are a nod to the touring audience, the elongated nose cutting its way through choppier waters and the square tail giving the board a more responsive, agile nature in turns. To further enhance the board’s turning ability, designers added a foam kick tail positioned over the fin area. Its inclusion is designed to offer the leverage and enhanced footing to encourage riders to progress into “step-back” or pivot turns. They’re a great way to turn a sharp corner or quickly round a buoy but they also look cool and demonstrate a mastery of board handling. For recreational riders and newcomers, the kick tail also gives tactile notice to the tail end of the traction pad.

Other nods to longer-distance touring include two bungee-contained storage locations placed fore and aft that can secure an increased amount of gear, whether it be in the form of dry bags, PFDs, water bottles, etc. The smaller rear bungee is designed to be easily removable for those working on the footwork mentioned above. Just undo the snap-hooks and pull the cord out of the D-rings. You’ll also get Velcro straps to occasionally secure the paddle when resting or relaxing out on the water, Easy Link attachments points to add an optional kayak seat or carry sling, and a standard GoPro (or similar) accessory mount to record your adventures.

Elsewhere, the included paddle proves a solid overall choice for multiple audiences. Its aluminum shaft is adjustable up to 7’ and is paired with an ABS plastic blade that provides enough surface area for those who wish to lay some power down but doesn’t overwhelm newbies. Speaking of the latter crowd, the blade also features Retrospec’s trademark labeling of its front side, answering a common question for beginning paddlers and ensuring they get the rewards for the effort they’re putting in. Tip? Make sure the clamp has enough tension when you close to prevent slipping. If not, add a clockwise turn or two to provide the necessary clamping power.

As to fins, a trio of slide-in-style fin boxes accommodate the included 9” center fin and 4.5” side fins but don’t be afraid to experiment. The single deep center fin will offer general performance, a pair of side fins alone will prove maneuverable and able to venture into the shallowest waters, but the full gamut will offer arguably the best overall grip and tracking. Once in place, fins secure with a slide-in, tethered locking clip.

Inside Out

One of the big reasons we’d recommend the Tour for a wider range of riders is the board’s rigidity. Retrospec’s AerGlide-Fusion construction profile combines an iSUP’s familiar drop-stitch inner core sewn into a knitted fabric base layer on top and bottom. Outside, one layer of PVC gives the board its air and water-tight skin; an additional reinforced layer is then fused using heat and pressure rather than glue. These double layers are key to the board’s increased rigidity, making it feel more stable on the water. A PVC rail wraps the perimeter and is topped with a second layer for durability and even more rigidity. In addition to a center grab handle, there are also convenient handles bow and stern to make for easy two-person carrying or pull the board onto the shoreline.

Concerns? While our test board’s dark “Deep Sea” color scheme drew positive comments, it did retain heat in Florida’s intense summer sun, making carrying against the body or lifting on and off your car’s roof rack sometimes like a game of hot potato. Thankfully, the generously sized traction pad manages to avoid a similar fate; it remained comfortable to stand, kneel, sit or even lay on for hours on the water.

As to details beyond the board itself, kudos to a lightweight but sturdy backpack with multiple reinforcement straps, padded shoulder straps and waist strap to balance the load. There’s also a zippered compartment on the front for smaller items; this is where we stashed the fins. The package also includes a waterproof phone case with lanyard, repair kit and valve wrench. And while we never really want to fill an inflatable SUP to capacity with a manual pump (we’d rather fill with an electric pump and save time and arm strength for the water), Retrospec’s included pump is dual-action, meaning you fill on both the up and down stroke.

Final Impression

For our final impression, we’ll highlight the overall ride. While windy, choppy conditions can change the behavior of any inflatable SUP, in calm waters we were pleasantly surprised by the Tour’s ability to simply glide and hold its line, a fact that allowed us to take numerous strokes before even having to think about switching sides to correct any wander. Experienced paddlers will use this fact to gain speed and cover more water with less effort. Novice paddlers won’t become frustrated correcting the board’s path and more quickly improve their skill level.

It all adds up to a board that’s simply fun to paddle. And at $349.99, easy on the wallet, too.