Thurso Surf Prodigy - Review 2025

Thurso Surf’s Prodigy is perfectly sized for the youngest paddlers. It’s built with Thurso’s adult line dual-layer PVC, with reinforced rails, making this board rigid and capable of withstanding the bumps and drops of beginning paddlers.

The weight capacity implies paddlers 12 and under. It’s stable and easy to maneuver for small arms. Compared to other short boards, it also tracks respectably, helping kids build confidence in their paddling control.

The package tailors to families with existing gear. Thurso Surf assumes the adults in the family will already have an inflation pump, etc. The other accessories are industry standard and well-made. The only upgrades worth considering are a wheeled backpack (or cart) to help kids transport the package on their own, and–maybe–a lighter paddle. The shaft is durable, lightweight carbon, but the nylon blade could be clunky for kids on the lower end of the age range to manage.

The board itself is a touch heavy for a kid’s paddle board. Expect your kids to drag it, either by the front or back handles. This is a common way kids move their boards to begin with, so don’t let that be a make or break. Overall, this is one of the best starter-boards out there.