The blue WOWSEA Bionics B1 is the smallest board from the current series of WOWSEA.
The model is available in two sizes, 305 (Bionics B1) and 320 (Bionics B2).
However, in the following we will focus on the 11.5 ft WOWSEA Bionics B1, as this is the more popular model.
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 (formerly known as WOWSEA Waterdrop) is an excellent board for beginners. The well-built and extremely affordable paddleboard convinced us with its great construction, which makes the board very stable on the water. Also, there is lots of additional solid-quality gear included in the package, which is great for beginners.
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The WOWSEA Bionics B1 is an allround board that is primarily aimed at beginners. Beginners get something out of this board in three different ways at once.
Firstly, the width of the board in conjunction with the three fins and the round design provides an enormous amount of tipping stability. Secondly, the scope of delivery is very extensive.
Beginners get a complete set delivered, which already includes all the equipment for the first tours. Thirdly, the price for the sets is very low, which is amazing when you consider the scope of accessories.
WOWSEA Bionics B1 Review in Detail
In this presentation, I go into detail about the features of the board and the included accessories. At the end of the review is a section with answers to common questions I came across during my research.
If you have any unanswered questions, feel free to write them to me in the comments below. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Product Specifications
| Board Type | Inflatable |
| Brand | Wowsea |
| Skill | Beginner |
| Area of Application | Allround |
| Maximum Paddler Weight | ca. 90 kg (200 lbs) |
| Length | 305 cm (10′) |
| Width | 81 cm (32″) |
| Thickness | 15 cm (6″) |
| Volume | no information from the manufacturer, approx. 260 – 280 liters |
| Weight | ca. 7 kg (15.5 lbs) |
| Accessories | Instruction manual, SUP backpack, 3-piece paddle, coiled leash (spiral safety line), double stroke air pump (reversible), spare pressure gauge (pressure gauge), center fin in plug-in system (10″), dry bag (10 liters), repair kit incl. valve wrench. |
Construction
The round nose is a typical element of allround boards. The construction slows down the WOWSEA Bionics B1 a bit, but this makes the board significantly more stable when tilting.
The board is aimed specifically at beginners. Those who like it a bit sportier should go for cruising boards like the WOWSEA Bluesky S1. For higher speeds or longer trips, these boards are better suited.
However, mastering the elongated touring or cruising SUP boards is quite challenging, especially for beginners. All-rounders like the Bionics B1 are better suited for inexperienced paddlers.
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 is 32 inches wide, which is similar to the typical all-round board that measures 31inches in width. Wide boards are more stable in the water, but also slow down a bit.
The model has a single air chamber, the volume of which we can unfortunately only estimate. By comparing it to similar boards, the capacity is probably in the range of 260 to 280 liters.
Load Capacity
The wide design ensures that this board from WOWSEA is designed for a maximum load of 308 to 330 lbs, according to the manufacturer. However, we recommend using the board only up to a maximum weight of 200 lbs.
However, with an even load, the board can safely carry around 220 lbs and can be used for SUP with a dog or paddling with a child on board.
Areas of Application and Driving Characteristics
Allrounders are – as the name suggests – true allrounders. For beginners, allround boards are exactly the right choice. Beginners often do not yet know what exactly they want to do with the board.
Allrounders are best suited for tours on lakes, canals, leisurely excursions and surfing in light swell. However, for trips in white water, for surfing in strong swells or for reaching top speeds, special boards are required.
In terms of riding characteristics, the WOWSEA Bionics B1 is similar to other all-rounders. These boards make up for the mixture of tipping stability and speed. Overall, however, the board stands out mainly because of the high level of stability.
The wide construction, the three fins and the rounded shape of the board are the main reason for this.
The tipping stability of the Bionics B1 comes in handy especially for beginners who want to learn stand up paddling on the board.
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 (formerly known as WOWSEA Waterdrop) is an excellent board for beginners. The well-built and extremely affordable paddleboard convinced us with its great construction, which makes the board very stable on the water. Also, there is lots of additional solid-quality gear included in the package, which is great for beginners.
Material and Weight
The construction has been kept completely identical even after the name change from Wowsea Waterdrop to WOWSEA Bionics B1. The board is made of two PVC layers that have been glued together. The modern drop stitch process that was used in the manufacturing process ensures a special stiffness. A big advantage is also the low weight. The 11.5 ft long board weighs only about 15.5 lbs, which makes it much easier to carry and transport in a backpack.
Workmanship
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 is, like all tested boards of the manufacturer, perfectly manufactured. The material quality is high and the whole construction is well thought-out, solid and durable. In this price range, this is anything but self-evident.
Design
The design of the WOWSEA Bionics B1 is quite simple. The board comes completely in different shades of blue. The deckpad and the underside of the board are decorated with images of some large water drops.
Other Features
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 has the following additional features that make paddling on the board more comfortable:
- Deckpad: The WOWSEA Bionics B1 features a large EVA deckpad. The special coating of the top deck ensures a safe stand. Even when the board is covered with water, the deckpad provides a good grip. Compared to the deck pads with so-called “diamond structure”, such as the one of the Bluefin Cruise or the one of the Thurso Surf Waterwalker, however, the standing surface offers somewhat less grip.
- Luggage net: In the front area there is a luggage net with 4 D-rings. This can be used for transporting the included dry bag or for clamping equipment and provisions.
- Central carrying strap: In the center of the board is a carrying handle made of neoprene, which is comfortable to the touch and easy to grip. Additional carrying handles at the stern and bow (as you know it from longer SUP boards) you look in vain here, however.
- 5 free D-ring: A very stable D-ring (for the leash) is located at the stern. In the current version, 4 more D-rings have been added on the deckpad, where you can mount a kayak seat!
- 2+1 fin setup: The 2 small side fins are permanently glued and the large 10″ center fin is removable (plug-in system).
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 (formerly known as WOWSEA Waterdrop) is an excellent board for beginners. The well-built and extremely affordable paddleboard convinced us with its great construction, which makes the board very stable on the water. Also, there is lots of additional solid-quality gear included in the package, which is great for beginners.
Accessories
WOWSEA’s boards and especially the Bionics B1 are primarily aimed at beginners. Since beginners do not yet have the equipment necessary for stand up paddling, there are a lot of accessory items included when ordering a board from WOWSEA.
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 SUP Backpack: The color-matched, spacious backpack offers enough space for the board including accessories and has fastening straps inside to keep everything in place. It has a large main compartment, a smaller outside pocket and 2 carrying straps (top and side). The carrying straps are lightly padded and adjustable. A solid and functional entry-level model. Dimensions: 33 x 18 x 14 inches
- 3-piece WOWSEA Bionics B1 paddle: Included is a paddle with aluminum shaft, which is continuously adjustable in height. Variable lengths between 5.7 ft and 7 ft and be set. The paddle can be disassembled into two parts for transport and storage. The included SUP paddle is therefore suitable for paddlers with a body height of up to 6.4 ft.
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 switchable double-stroke air pump with pressure indicator (pressure gauge): Included is a double-action pump. The advantage of these double stroke pumps is that air is pumped into the board both when pulling up and pushing down. This shortens the time from rolling out the board sleeve to a fully inflated board. In practice, a procedure of first pumping up to about 7 PSI in double-stroke mode and then switching to single mode for the remaining PSI has proven to be effective. The recommended air pressure for the WOWSEA Bionics B1 is 12 to 15 PSI. Above a certain threshold (back pressure), the value reached can be read exactly on the pressure display (manometer).
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 replacement pressure gauge (manometer): Included is a replacement manometer for the double stroke air pump.
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 10″ Fin: The set includes a large, removable 10″ dolphin-shaped center fin. This simply slides into the rail and is secured with a pin. This system is called a plug-in or slide-in system. Fins in the plug-in system clearly have the advantage of speed compared to the US box system (with screw and threaded plate). The disadvantage is the lack of choice of fins for retrofitting.
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 Coiled-Leash: This spiral-shaped safety leash connects your ankle to the board via a sturdy Velcro sleeve. If you fall in the water, it stretches to its full length and keeps your board close to you.
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 Dry-Bag: You can transport your valuables waterproof in the included 10 liter Dry-Bag. These waterproof pack sacks are really indispensable, so it’s even nicer that the manufacturer includes a matching model!
- WOWSEA Bionics B1 Repair Kit incl. valve key: This small set consists of matching PVC patches and a valve key. Unfortunately, the glue is missing, so you can repair small damages on the board yourself. With the key you can check the valve for tightness and also replace it in case of a defect.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
To how much PSI is the WOWSEA Bionics B1 inflated?
The recommended air pressure for the WOWSEA Bionics B1 is 12 to 15 PSI. Learn more about the Wowsea Bionics B1.
How long does it take to inflate the WOWSEA Bionics B1?
It takes approximately 5 – 7 minutes to inflate the board. Learn more about the Wowsea Bionics B1.
To what length is the included paddle of the WOWSEA Bionics B1 adjustable?
The included aluminum paddle can be variably adjusted to lengths between 175 cm and 215 cm. Learn more about the Wowsea Bionics B1.
Are the WOWSEA Waterdrop and the WOWSEA Bionics B1 the same board?
Yes, they are just different names for 2 completely identical boards. The WOWSEA Bionics B1 was also offered under the names WOWSEA Waterdrop and WOWSEA AN16 so far. Learn more about the Wowsea Bionics B1.
Conclusion
The WOWSEA Bionics B1, which was previously marketed under the name WOWSEA Waterdrop, is an excellent board for beginners. The solidly manufactured SUP board convinces with its extremely stable construction, which ensures that the board lies very securely in the water.
Beginners can further benefit from the fact that the scope of delivery is very extensive. With the purchase are namely equal to a backpack, a height-adjustable paddle, an air pump and a leash included.
The complete set is also available for an amazingly low price.
The WOWSEA Bionics B1 (formerly known as WOWSEA Waterdrop) is an excellent board for beginners. The well-built and extremely affordable paddleboard convinced us with its great construction, which makes the board very stable on the water. Also, there is lots of additional solid-quality gear included in the package, which is great for beginners.
