Discover the Thrill of Tower Paddle Boards

My first paddleboard was a Tower Adventurer. I bought it after watching way too many YouTube videos and reading conflicting opinions about which brand to trust. Three years and hundreds of paddle sessions later, I’ve developed opinions about Tower that go beyond what marketing materials tell you.

Tower represents a specific approach to the paddleboard market. Understanding their business model and product philosophy helps determine whether their boards match your needs.

How Tower Changed the Game

Stephan Aarstol started Tower in 2010 with a straightforward idea. Cut out retailers and sell directly to customers at lower prices. This wasn’t revolutionary thinking, but applying it to paddleboards happened at exactly the right moment as the sport exploded in popularity.

The Shark Tank appearance in 2012 accelerated everything. Mark Cuban’s $150,000 investment brought mainstream attention that advertising couldn’t buy. Suddenly Tower wasn’t just another inflatable board company. They became the paddleboard brand people had actually heard of.

That recognition created advantages and expectations. Tower could charge less than traditional retail channels while building volume that supported quality improvements. But the spotlight also meant scrutiny when boards didn’t meet expectations.

What I’ve Learned About Their Construction

Tower builds their boards using military-grade PVC, a term that sounds impressive and actually means something. The material resists punctures, UV damage, and the general abuse that paddleboards endure. My three-year-old Adventurer shows scratches and scuffs but zero structural concerns.

Drop-stitch construction creates the rigidity that makes inflatable boards viable. Thousands of threads connect the top and bottom layers, allowing high-pressure inflation without ballooning. When properly inflated, a quality drop-stitch board feels remarkably similar to hard fiberglass construction.

The seam welding holds everything together under pressure. Tower uses high-frequency welding rather than glue seams. This matters because seam failure means complete board failure. Their welding has held up on my boards and on boards I’ve recommended to friends.

Models Worth Knowing

The Adventurer 2 remains their flagship product. At 10 feet 4 inches long and 6 inches thick, it handles paddlers up to 350 pounds while maintaining reasonable performance. The width provides stability that beginners need without completely sacrificing speed for experienced paddlers.

I’ve paddled the Explorer on loan from a friend. At 14 feet, it’s built for covering distance rather than messing around near shore. The length creates glide that shorter boards can’t match. If touring or fitness paddling appeals to you, the Explorer makes sense.

The Mermaid targets women with a compact 9 foot 10 inch design. Lighter weight makes transport easier for smaller paddlers. The sizing assumes a lighter rider, which creates performance benefits when the board matches the paddler.

The Accessories That Come With

Tower sells complete packages rather than just boards. The included backpacks fit the deflated boards with room for pumps and paddles. Straps and handles make transport practical. High-pressure pumps inflate boards to proper rigidity without requiring gym-level fitness.

Adjustable paddles accommodate different heights and paddling styles. Carbon fiber options exist for those willing to pay for reduced weight. The difference becomes noticeable over long paddle sessions when fatigue accumulates.

What Direct-to-Consumer Actually Means for You

Lower prices result from skipping retail margins. Tower doesn’t need to share revenue with stores, so they can either pocket the difference or pass savings along. Their pricing reflects some of both approaches.

Direct relationships create faster feedback loops. When customers report problems, Tower can respond without retailer intermediaries. This can mean quicker warranty service and product improvements that reflect actual user experience.

The tradeoff comes in not seeing boards before buying. You can’t walk into a store and touch a Tower board in most places. Online reviews and return policies replace hands-on evaluation. For some buyers, this uncertainty outweighs price savings.

Honest Assessment of Limitations

Tower boards are good, not exceptional. They compete on value rather than performance. Serious paddlers eventually outgrow what Tower offers and look toward specialized brands. This isn’t criticism. It’s accurate positioning.

PVC construction, while durable, creates environmental concerns. These aren’t problems unique to Tower, but they exist. The industry continues exploring sustainable alternatives without finding solutions that match PVC durability and cost.

Market saturation creates confusion. Many brands now use similar construction methods at similar price points. Tower’s early-mover advantage has diminished as competitors caught up. Choosing between similar options requires more research than it once did.

My Take After Three Years

Tower delivered what they promised for my needs. I wanted a durable inflatable board for recreational paddling at a reasonable price. That’s exactly what I got. The board has traveled in car trunks, endured my learning-phase collisions with docks, and maintained performance across seasons.

Would I buy Tower again? Probably. The value proposition still makes sense for recreational paddlers who prioritize convenience and durability over maximum performance. For beginners especially, Tower provides an entry point that doesn’t require major financial commitment.

The paddleboard landscape continues evolving with new brands and technologies appearing regularly. Tower maintains their position through consistent quality and direct-sales efficiency. Whether that combination matches your specific needs requires honest assessment of how you actually paddle.