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Stand Up Paddle Boarding In London

Read our guide for Stand Up Paddle Boarding In London and Find and Book experiences, courses, activities and tours! Browse through the list of experiences, either instantly book onto your dates or enquire to book. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy! If you’ve got any questions about any specific experience, send a message and the providers will aim to get back to you as soon as possible. Have a specific experience in mind that we don’t have listed? No problem, drop us a message and we’ll send your quote around to hundreds of the best experience providers nationwide and come back with you the best quote, making it easy for you to make the most of your spare time!

About London

Being one of the most vibrant cities in the world, London has no shortage of things to do. In fact your biggest problem is probably going to be what not to do! From historical palaces and famous landmarks to musicals and nightlife London has it all. Take an iconic open-topped bus tour, delve into the details on a walking tour, explore the stunning Royal Parks, or get active with a paddle down the Thames. Whatever floats your boat, London has the answer! Practise your climbing skills in one of the many indoor climbing walls, or jump on a train and with just a short journey be climbing in beautiful woodlands at Harrison’s Rocks. Explore one of the many rivers, like canoeing or kayaking the Thames or the River Medway for a peaceful escape. There’s also a wealth of rolling hills in Surrey, perfect for the weekend hike, bike or camp.
Watersports in Richmond
!## About Stand Up Paddle Boarding! Stand Up Paddle Boarding is one of the fastest growing water sports across the world right now, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the quietest and most relaxing ways to travel across water and to explore, meaning you can get incredibly close up to wildlife without scaring it away. You can either sit down or stand up, meaning it’s comfortable. And because they’re so big, they’re often very stable, so it’s possible to go out without getting wet. In fact, they’re so stable many people have taken to Paddle board Yoga and even paddle boarding with dogs.

Where to go Stand Up Paddleboarding in London?

In amongst its rich history, iconic landmarks and surprising green spaces London has no shortage of memorable paddleboarding tours and trips.
The Thames - most iconic of all is of course the River Thames, and there are various trips you can take on here to explore West London by water, around Richmond and Kew Bridge, or a bit further afield on the river near Windsor and it’s famous castle.
London Docklands - for those wanting calmer waters there are the docks to the east of the City. The wakeboard centre on the Royal Victoria Dock also runs SUP hire and lessons.
London Canals - there is a pleasantly surprising canal network north of the Thames. The Regents Canal is particularly popular, from Paddington Basin to Camden Town, with several activity providers offering hire and tours, including an ever popular Paddle & Prosecco for a nice evening jaunt! In each location, there are often options to go as part of a club, hire stand up paddleboards, or even try out stand up paddle boarding yoga!
Paddleboarding Yoga in London

Paddleboarding near London

Just a short journey from London in any direction are some more rural paddling options on gentle rivers. Here’s the pick of the best:
Kent - with a huge 350 mile long coastline and several beautiful rivers and canals to explore, there are few better ways to discover Kent’s stunning landscapes than by SUP. Whether on the Medway Canoe Trail through the heart of the county, chilling out with the family on the Royal Military Canal, or seal spotting in the Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, there are plenty of options to keep everyone happy.
The River Wey, Surrey - forming at Guildford where two streams meet, the Wey provides a gorgeous scenic paddle as it heads to Weybridge before joining the Thames. Flowing through beautiful countryside notable landmarks include Newark Priory and Brooklands, as well as several water mills and possible sightings of kingfishers.
Norfolk Broads - to the north of London are the magnificent Norfolk Broads. It’s a bit of a journey but well worth it! These famously beautiful stretches of water are a joy to paddleboard on, being gentle-flowing, peaceful and with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way.
Paddleboarding in West London

How hard is paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle boarding difficulty varies based on the type of paddleboard you’re using, the weather conditions and the water conditions. On a calm day, with no wind, still water and with a stable paddle board, the sport is very easy. On a day where there are gusts of wind, the paddle board you have isn’t suitable for your weight or the water conditions are poor with heavy river flow, waves or tides, paddle boarding can be more difficult. That being said, the one way to make paddleboarding much easier, is to do it sitting down. Despite the name, it's not mandatory to ‘Stand Up!’. Sitting down can often aid stability and make it easier to paddle in the wind by reducing your surface area. The sport is very accessible and most people should be able to try it out without too much fitness. It’s very relaxing and not too strenuous.

What should I wear for stand up paddleboarding?

There’s no set kit required for stand up paddle boarding. Those who are competent and going in gentle water can often go in shorts and a shirt as the chances of falling in are low. If going in water where the chances of falling in are higher, you may be provided with a wetsuit. As best practice, it’s best to wear swimming shorts or a swimming costume and potentially a tshirt over the top to keep you warm. Some insist you wear a buoyancy aid, whilst others suggest that because the paddle board is attached to your ankle by a flexible cable, a buoyancy aid isn’t needed as you’ll be able to safely get back to your paddle board. Dress appropriately for the weather and it’s always better to over dress and be warm, than to be out there on the water freezing. If it’s sunny, consider taking sun cream and a hat. Your feet can sometimes get wet, so in cold water it’s worth wearing something to keep them warm from neoprene boots or at least a pair of shoes / socks you don’t mind getting wet.
Paddleboarding in London

What should I take to paddleboarding?

As falling in is possible, it's always worth taking a spare change of clothes and a towel. If you’re going for over an hour, consider taking snacks and a drink to keep you hydrated. Most paddle boards have elastic straps that enable you to store personal items in. Consider taking a dry bag if you want to keep anything dry.

What kit do I need to stand up paddleboard?

If you’re not hiring or going as part of a club, and you’re looking to go paddleboarding by yourself, be sure to consider all the kit. Here’s a starter:
  • Stand up paddleboard (and a pump if its inflatable)
  • All parts of your SUP e.g. The Fin and the SUP leash
  • SUP paddle
  • Buoyancy Aid
  • First Aid Kit
  • Rescue whistle / communication device

Where can I paddleboard?

License for paddle boarding canals With over 3000 miles of canal in the UK, these calm waters are prime spots to explore by paddle board. If you’re paddling with a club they should arrange this for you. If you’re paddling by yourself, you’ll need to organise a license to paddle on them by checking the Canal River Trust Website

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