With the Wowsea Trophy T1, the manufacturer Wowsea brings a promising allround board from the 11 ft class to the market.
The stated manufacturer’s data regarding the material quality gives hope for a high quality processed and durable board.
To verify this, I have tested the board and the included accessories in all details for you and would like to share my results with you.
Through our good and long-standing contacts with many manufacturers, we have learned that the current model now fortunately has 4 D-rings for mounting a kayak seat!
The Wowsea Trophy T1 (former names Wowsea Cruise or Wowsea AN26) is a great all-round paddle board for beginners. The affordable board is build with high-quality materials, is quite stiff and comes with lots of accessories. The wide build makes it easy for any beginner as well as more heavy paddlers to balance on.
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With its length of 11′ (11 feet), the Wowsea Trophy T1 is a slightly longer board from the category of allround boards. Its silhouette with a wide and rounded tip (nose) meets the expectations of a SUP board of this type. The width of 32″ is in the upper average range of most comparison models and promises high tipping stability.
Due to the thickness of 6″ and the solid, double-layer construction, the board achieves very good values in terms of stiffness and buoyancy. The Wowsea Trophy T1 is equipped with 3 fins, whereby the 10″ center fin is removable via a plug-in system.
The complete set comes with the following accessories: Backpack, 3-piece fiberglass paddle, coiled leash (spiral safety line), triple action air pump, pressure gauge (manometer), plug-in fin (10″), dry bag (10 liters), repair kit (without glue) incl. valve wrench.
Wowsea Trophy T1 Review in Detail
In the following part of the review, we go into more detail about the board and the included accessories. At the end of the article, frequently asked questions (FAQ) are answered.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave us a comment. We will try to answer you as soon as possible!
Product Specifications
| Board Type | Inflatable |
| Brand | Wowsea |
| Skill | Beginner |
| Area of Application | Allround |
| Max. Paddler Weight | ca. 120 kg (265 lbs) |
| Length | 335 cm (11′) |
| Width | 81.5 cm (32″) |
| Thickness | 15 cm (6″) |
| Volume | No information from the manufacturer, approx. 320 liters |
| Weight | 11.2 kg (25 lbs) |
| Accessories | Instruction manual (English), backpack, 3-piece fiberglass paddle, coiled leash, triple action air pump incl. net bag, spare pressure gauge (manometer), plug-in fin (10″), dry bag (10 liters), repair kit (without glue) incl. valve wrench. |
Construction
The Wowsea Trophy T1 (formerly Wowsea Cruise) with its contour is a classic representative of the allround boards. The rounded board tip (nose) and the extended width are two main features of this type and give the SUP boards of this class a high tipping stability. For this reason, the allrounders are the most popular boards for beginners.
The length of the Wowsea Trophy T1 is 11 ft, which is a good bit above the average 10.5 ft and thus has slightly improved running characteristics. The board has a total of 3 fins (2+1), the two small side fins are fixed and the large 10″ center fin is removable via a plug system.
The Wowsea Trophy T1 has a thickness of 6″ and has a single air chamber. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide any information on the volume. According to experience, however, the capacity should be about 320 liters.
The nose is, viewed from the side, minimally bent upwards. This design is called a “noserocker”. As a result, the nose does not submerge so easily under water when sailing, but glides over slight waves.
Load Capacity
The maximum payload of the Wowsea Cruise is 330 lbs. In order not to compromise performance, you should not necessarily test this weight limit. But even subtracting the tolerance, the board is very suitable for big and heavy paddlers (up to about 120 kg). A trip with a child or your four-legged friend is thus also nothing in the way. Light adults can even make a small trip in pairs.
Areas of Application and Driving Characteristics
Due to the described allround construction, the Wowsea Trophy T1 is designed for versatile use. Beginners can get started quickly and easily on this wide board. Mostly the first successes can be celebrated on the first day. The board is stable, good-natured and forgives many a beginner’s mistake.
Allrounders are not boards for specialized purposes. Their strengths lie in the variety of application areas. Apart from extreme conditions, you can explore almost all types of water with it. The extended length and the 2+1 fin setup offer a successful compromise between maneuverability and tracking.
The possible uses are as diverse as your ideas. The Wowsea Cruise is great for trying out new trends like SUP yoga, SUP fitness or SUP fishing. The robust board is suitable for every family member and therefore also a great vacation companion.
Due to the wide, rounded nose you will not reach very high speeds, but for medium tours the gliding properties of the board are enough. Through the spacious luggage net you can also take enough provisions for a relaxing break on the water.
All the better that the manufacturer includes a dry bag. So your valuables are safely protected from water damage.
Meanwhile, the Wowsea Trophy T1 in the new version has been equipped with 4 additional D-rings on the stand. By attaching a separately available kayak seat, you can turn the board into a SUP kayak in no time. This innovation is very pleasing and is always a very popular feature on allround boards.
Those who are intensively involved in SUP will probably prefer other types of boards sooner or later, but nevertheless a good all-round board should actually never be missing. Even most very experienced paddlers own a high-quality allround board and like to use it frequently for a variety of purposes without any special requirements.
The Wowsea Trophy T1 (former names Wowsea Cruise or Wowsea AN26) is a great all-round paddle board for beginners. The affordable board is build with high-quality materials, is quite stiff and comes with lots of accessories. The wide build makes it easy for any beginner as well as more heavy paddlers to balance on.
Material and Weight
The material construction of the Wowsea Trophy T1 is called “double layer dropstitch”. This means that the outer shell is made of 2 laminated layers of PVC (“Double-Layer”). In the board core, many polyester threads are very tightly woven together (“dropstitch”) for increased strength.
The rails (side surfaces) of this board also have a 2-layer structure and are reinforced at the transition to the top and bottom with a circumferential band (“rail band”). This makes the board robust and resistant to external influences and additionally increases the stiffness.
The PVC used is of very high quality (military grade) and UV-resistant coated. The dropstitch core of the board is very tightly woven (11200 threads/sqm). These are good conditions for durability.
The weight of the Wowsea Trophy T1 is with 25 lbs in the average comparison range. However, given the material construction, this is a very good value.
In the middle of the board is a carrying handle, so that the board can be carried well.
Workmanship
In principle, I always find it very good when manufacturers clearly state the material quality and construction of the boards, instead of hiding behind marketing terms. Wowsea gives detailed information about the manufacturing and material selection in this regard. Even the density of the dropstitch core (11200 threads/sqm) and the PVC quality (1000 denier) is named unmistakably.
This shows that Wowsea has nothing to hide when it comes to quality. On the contrary, the choice of materials and the workmanship are first class and very high quality. Considering the price range, this is absolutely amazing.
The Wowsea Trophy T1 has a rock-solid build and really surprised me positively in the test. The price/performance ratio is excellent.
Design
The basic color of the board is a strong shade of blue.
The deckpad in black, white and blue is decorated with graphic elements, as well as the manufacturer’s name and stands out in contrast.
The bottom is solid blue and carries the manufacturer’s name and logo in white again in the center. The rails are black in the back, blue in the front area and are framed by the black rail bands. The sides are labeled with the board size (11′), the slogan, and the name and logo of Wowsea.
The design is comparatively simple, but convinces me with its clear, graphic look. To me, the design looks appealing and sporty.
Other Features
The Wowsea Trophy T1 has the following additional features:
- deckpad: standing surface with diamond embossing made of anti-slip EVA
- central carrying strap: The board has a central carrying strap. This is the center of gravity of the board.
- 5 free D-rings: One D-ring (for the leash) is located at the tail. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has equipped the current version with 4 additional D-rings for attaching a kayak seat. Please note that the pictures and the video do not show these rings yet. They were made during the test of the previous version, when the Trophy T1 was still partly traded under the name Wowsea Cruise.
- Large luggage net: In the front area is a large deck net attached to 6 more D-rings. Here you can safely stow equipment or provisions, best in the included dry bag.
- 3 fins: 2 small, fixed side fins and a large 10″ center fin (plug-in system)
Accessories
The Wowsea Trophy T1 comes with the following accessories:
- Wowsea Trophy T1 Transport Backpack: The color-matched, spacious backpack has a large main compartment, a smaller outer pocket and carrying loops (top and side). It offers enough space for the board including accessories and has fastening straps inside to keep everything in place. The carrying straps are only lightly padded and adjustable. Dimensions: 33 x 18 x 14 inches
- Wowsea Trophy T1 Fiberglass Paddle: The included 3-piece paddle has a fiberglass shaft, and the paddle blade and handle are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. It is continuously adjustable between 5.8 and 7.1 ft. A very good entry-level model with reduced weight.
- Wowsea Trophy T1 triple action air pump with pressure gauge and net bag: The set includes a triple action air pump (model HP 5) with pressure gauge (manometer). The pump has 2 pistons and 3 operating modes. In the first stage, it works with both pistons in double stroke mode, which means that you pump air into the board both when pulling up and pushing down. In the second stage, both pistons are used in single-stroke operation, and finally, in the third stage, only one piston is working. These graduations allow you to conveniently reduce resistance as backpressure increases. If you screw the tube to the other port, you can pump air out of the board to make it easier to roll in. The stand and handles are removable, so the pump can be stored in the included mesh bag to save space. A really good and well thought out model.
- Wowsea Trophy T1 replacement pressure gauge (manometer): included is a replacement manometer for the SUP air pump.
- Wowsea Trophy T1 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 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 Trophy T1 Coiled-Leash: A so-called coiled-leash is also included in the delivery. With this spiral-shaped safety leash you can connect yourself to the board at the ankle. If you fall into the water, the leash stretches to full length and prevents the board from drifting without you. Please never ride without a leash…it can be a lifesaver!
- Wowsea Trophy T1 Dry-Bag: The included 10 liter dry-bag allows you to carry your valuables protected from water.
- Wowsea Trophy T1 Repair Kit incl. Valve Wrench: With this you can repair small damages on the board yourself, but incomprehensibly the glue is missing. With the valve wrench you can check the valve for tightness or replace it completely if needed.
FAQ
How long does it take to inflate the Wowsea Trophy T1?
With the included triple action air pump, you should be ready to go in about 5 minutes.
Learn more about the Wowsea Trophy T1.
How much PSI should the Wowsea Trophy T1 be inflated to?
The recommended pressure is 15-18 PSI. According to the manufacturer, the board can even withstand up to 28 PSI. This value is extremely high and even 18 PSI is far above the usual average of 15 PSI (about 1Bar). Learn more about the Wowsea Trophy T1.
Are the Wowsea Trophy T1 and the Wowsea Cruise the same board?
Yes, Wowsea has renamed its boards several times over the years. The Wowsea Trophy T1 was also sold under the names Wowsea Cruise and Wowsea AN 26 in the meantime. So these are different names for one and the same board. Learn more about the Wowsea Trophy T1.
Conclusion
The Wowsea Trophy T1 (former name: Wowsea Cruise or AN26) is a great allround SUP board for beginners. It has completely convinced me in the test by the high-quality material use and the good workmanship. Especially the high stiffness makes the board a resilient and very reliable companion.
Due to the resistant, 2-layer construction, the board can be filled with above-average 18 PSI. Thus, it is ideally suited for large and heavy paddlers and retains its good running characteristics even under higher loads.
The solid width makes it easy for any beginner to get started. With the extensive accessories, you can get started right away. Stand-up paddlers with a lot of experience, however, can also consider the board, due to its high quality.
The price/performance ratio is excellent and can compete with any comparable offer.
With the Wowsea Bionics B2 (formerly Waterdrop or AN16/AN17) and the Wowsea Bluesky S1 (formerly AN15) I have already tested 2 other and also recommendable boards of the manufacturer in the past. Wowsea SUP boards you can therefore seriously consider, not only as a beginner.
The Wowsea Trophy T1 (former names Wowsea Cruise or Wowsea AN26) is a great all-round paddle board for beginners. The affordable board is build with high-quality materials, is quite stiff and comes with lots of accessories. The wide build makes it easy for any beginner as well as more heavy paddlers to balance on.
