The Wavestrom SUP Yak is wide, stable, and easily converts from an SUP to a kayak. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Over the past decade, Wavestorm has developed something of a cult following. Head to any surf town and you will undoubtedly see colorful foam boards bearing the Wavestorm logo strapped to the roofs of cars or dotting the lineup. And rightfully so. Their boards are affordable and user-friendly, which is why most surfers have one in their quiver.
In addition to their beloved surfboard, Wavestorm sells a foam stand up paddle board. The Wavestorm SUP Yak ($599) is a hybrid paddle board and kayak, designed to allow paddlers of all ages and skill levels have fun on the water.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to transition between SUP and kayak mode | Built-in kayak seat and footrests can get in the way in SUP mode |
| Wide and stable | Heavy (51 pounds) |
| Built-in bungee straps | Handle is uncomfortable |
First Impressions of the Wavestorm SUP Yak
The first stand up paddle board I ever owned was a Wavestorm. I purchased it used in 2012 and it proved to be the perfect introductory board. I paddled it in the ocean and on lakes, cruised with my dog onboard, and surfed ankle biters on it. I unfortunately had to store it outside and, thanks to saltwater and sunshine, it reached the end of its life last year. When I heard about the new Wavestorm SUP Yak, I was eager to see how it compared to my first Wavestorm SUP.
The Wavestorm SUP Yak looks similar to my old board, but with some additional plastic hardware on top that allow the board to convert from SUP to kayak. I was excited about the idea that this Wavestorm could transform into a kayak, but because the plastic pieces were built in, I didn’t think it would be a good option for surfing. When compared to other beginner SUPs, the Wavestorm SUP Yak doesn’t look as thick, so I was interested to see if it would be stable enough for larger or beginner paddlers.
The Wavestorm SUP Yak in “yak” mode. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Wavestorm SUP Yak
Dimensions: 9’6” x 33” x 7”
Volume: 114 L
Weight: 51 lbs
Material: Foam
The Wavestorm SUP Yak has everything you need to paddle in SUP or kayak form. It’s quick and easy to set up and hit the water. The only set up required is getting the fin screwed into the fin box, which takes less than a minute. The paddle comes with the SUP handle pre-installed but if you wish to use it as a kayak, you simply slide out the SUP handle and replace it with the kayak blade. Easy peasy.
Despite my initial hesitations that the Wavestorm SUP Yak would be unstable, I felt like it was solid on the water. 9’6” is on the shorter side for an all-around paddle board but thanks to the width of 33” and 7” thickness, it proved to be incredibly stable on the water. However, I am an experienced paddler, so I asked some of my beginner friends to take it for a spin to see what they thought.
Our beginner paddling-testers took turns paddling the Wavestorm SUP Yak on a calm lagoon and all agreed that it felt secure and stable. If you really struggle with balancing on a paddle board or are a larger human, you may want a longer and wider board, but for most people this option should be A-OK.
The SUP Yak helps you explore beautiful places. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Most of the hybrid paddle boards I’ve tried have separate pieces that you must attach to convert them into a kayak. The Wavestorm SUP Yak has them built in, so when you’re ready to kayak all you must do is flip up the seat and trade out the SUP handle on your paddle for the second paddle blade.
The SUP Yak also includes footrests with three different positions. At first, I didn’t realize they were adjustable, but you simply slide out the peg and slip it into a different slot. Overall, the transition is incredibly easy and it’s a nice option to have in case the wind picks up or you hit a section of rough water and would prefer to sit down rather than stand.
The Wavestorm SUP Yak doesn’t have a lot of extra accessories or features, but it does have a single bungee strap on the front, which we found was a good place to store whatever portion of the paddle we weren’t currently using. It also has a larger bungee section on the back of the board that works well for securing a backpack or large items.
The kayak seat and footrests are built-in, making transitions super easy. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks
Having the kayak accessories built-in is both a pro and a con. It’s nice because it makes it easy to switch from SUP to kayak mode and you don’t have to worry about losing the pieces. However, that means that your board always has plastic hardware on top, which is worth taking note of, and makes it more difficult to paddle with a child or dog onboard. The plastic also gives me some doubts about the board being used as a surf SUP, especially for beginner SUP-surfers who would be more prone to falling on the hard plastic pieces.
Another negative of the Wavestorm SUP Yak design is the weight and the carrying handle. At 51 pounds the Wavestorm SUP Yak is by no means a light board, making it challenging to load and unload from the car and carry to your launching spot. The handle is a bit uncomfortable, further adding to the challenge. I found the handle doesn’t go deep enough for my liking, making it difficult to get a good grip on the board.
The SUP Yak is wide and stable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Wavestrom SUP Yak is a great all-around hybrid SUP Yak. It’s quick to set up, it transitions easily between a stand up paddle board and kayak, it’s affordable, and it’s wide and stable. At 51 pounds, the Wavestorm SUP Yak isn’t the easiest board to load and transport but once you’re on the water it paddles smoothly and tracks well.
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONEditor’s Note: For more of an all-rounder sort of paddle board that can handle a flat water cruise, check out our overall article on The Best Stand Up Paddle Boards, and for inflatables, check out our feature on The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards. Also make sure to complete your kit with one of the best SUP Paddles. And for more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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