7 Unmissable Paddleboarding Weekends in the UK

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP boarding) is a watersport that’s growing fast and furiously all around the world, including here in the UK.

Perfect for an adventure weekend for couples, singles, families, and groups, it’s easy to learn, affordable, and you don’t have to travel to the coast to try it. In fact, thanks to the UK’s vast number of lakes, rivers and canals there’s bound to be a SUP adventure near you.

Ready to join us for a SUP adventure?

Let’s paddle!

The magnificent River Wye in Gloucestershire is a great spot for SUP beginners. The river itself runs  15 kilometres from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary. Along the way there are plenty of good launch spots for paddleboarding adventures, as well as pubs for supping a G&T after you’ve paddled.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a paddle adventure with Inspire2Adventure a few weekends back. They’re a fabulous, friendly husband and wife team specialising in outdoor activities for adults, families, stag and hen parties, as well as youth groups and corporates. Along with a group of local bloggers, I headed to Monmouth where Inspire2Adventure met us by the river.

Boards pumped, kit on, briefed and ready, we floated out onto the River Wye – four of us on solo sups, six of us on the McConk Mega SUP (called Monty). Our session lasted 2 enjoyable hours, and saw us wobble our way up and down the river, learning what to do with a few simple team-building games thrown in to build our confidence.

All in all, it was mammoth fun, with brilliant instruction, and I heard a couple of bloggers say, ‘how much does a SUP board cost?’. So I thinking SUPing really did float their boat.

Includes: Intro to SUP skills, safety briefing, buoyancy aid, paddle and board

Costs: 2-hour sessions costs from £39pp

Discover more: Inspire2Adventure

If it’s a bigger SUP adventure weekend you’re after, a trip to Lundy Island fits the bill. Lundy, for those who haven’t heard of it, is a 400-foot craggy granite outcrop jutting out of the Bristol Channel, 12 miles off the coast of Devon.

With more sunshine and less rain than the mainland, Lundy is host to a variety of plant and animal life. In fact, the waters around the island were the first marine conservation zone in the UK – so a paddle around Lundy is great for wildlife adventurers who like getting up-close and personal with flora and fauna.

Take a trip with SUPSouthWest and you’ll see Lundy from a different perspective. After sailing across to Lundy, you’ll enjoy a packed lunch before boarding your SUP to explore the east side of the Island, including Gull Rock, Gannets’ Bay and Seal Rock.

Includes: SUP boards, tuition, wetsuit and buoyancy aid.

Costs: £45pp for group SUP session

More details: SUPsouthwest

For those who love the outdoors, both on and off the water, this is a weekend of guided walks, canal paddles and outdoor yoga. You’ll snooze well too – in Gold Award Safari lodge accommodation on a pretty Welsh farm, with a wood-fired hot tub also on your doorstep.

When you’re not starting the day with morning yoga stretches – or still trying to get up from yesterday’s downward dog – you’ll be paddling on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, taking a plunge in the River Usk and walking around the glorious Taybont Reservoir. You’ll definitely head home full hearted, with lunch at the village pub to end your weekend.

Includes: Safari Lodge Accommodation for 2 nights ; 2 self-catered breakfasts ; 1 picnic lunch ; 2 evening meals ; shuttle to all SUP destinations ; board, paddle, leash, wetsuit ; photos ; SUP Guide, yoga Instructor, walk leader

Cost: £395pp

More details: info@paddleboardingadventures.co.uk

Paddleboarding during the day is one thing, doing it at night under the stars with the light of the moon reflecting off the water is another thing entirely! If you fancy this kind of adventure, let LED lights show you the way. No, seriously – submersible LED lights will illuminate the board beneath you and the river ahead as you paddle. Book in with The Paddle Company to get started on your journey along the River Stour in Suffolk.

Their 60 to 90-minute night SUP session begins at The Henry Swan pub in Sudbury, starting just before sunset with one of The Paddle Company team leading the way. A full safety briefing and paddle instructions will be given before you hit the water. The River Stour is a different world at night, so expect to see wildlife appear as you make your way along the serene waters.

Although you get expert tuition from a qualified SUP guide, this is not an adventure for beginners; some prior SUP experience is necessary. Timings will also be confirmed by The Paddle Company before your paddle.

Includes: Paddleboard, safety equipment, guided tour, and wet shoes.

Cost: £40 (4 person minimum booking)

More Details: The Paddle Company 

Bath is great to explore on foot all year round. But when you want a little bit more adrenaline to your time in this beautiful Georgian city, slip on your wetsuit and hook up with Original Wild.

Self-confessed adventure experts, Original Wild host paddle boarding sessions and private tours that take you through the heart of Bath. You’ll see the city from the tranquillity of the River Avon and be given local tips and facts during your tour from experience guides with tonnes of local knowledge.

Includes: Paddleboard, safety equipment, tuition, photos taken during the trip.

Costs: Prices start at £46pp

More details: Original Wild

With more castles than any other part of the UK, Northumberland is exactly the place for a unique weekend adventure. Many of its castles and ruins sit on the county’s rugged coastline – visible from the sea and even more alluring because of it.

To see some of Northumberland’s finest castles by SUP, team up with KA Kitesurfing. Based in the Northumberland village of Beadnell, this professional crew of adventurers were one of the first schools to bring stand up paddle boarding to the North East.

They’re well-placed to teach you the skills of sea SUPing and guide you safely from the shelter of Beadnell ‘s golden sands to Bamburgh, with its sweeping beach and magnificent castle overlooking the beach.

Includes: Paddleboard, safety equipment, wet suit, tuition.

Costs: 2 hour SUP session £45.00

More details: KA Kitesurfing

Gin is my favourite three letter word. So, a paddleboarding weekend ending with a guided tour of the famous Lakes Distillery, with the chance to sample some botanical gins, definitely pricks my ears.

If it’s more of a long-distance tour you’re after, book with Lake District Paddle Boarding for a two day SUP experience in the Lake District. On this tour, you’ll take a journey from the highest points of the river Derwent through the Jaw’s of Borrowdale and past the quaint village of Grange and into Derwentwater Lake.

Resting your head at Keswick overnight, the next day you’ll continue your paddle on the Lower Derwent, ending at the golden gates of the Lakes Distillery.

Although overnight accommodation is not included, the company recommends places to stay in Keswick for the Friday and Saturday night, including hostels and high-end hotels.

Includes: Paddleboard, safety equipment, 2-day fully guided tour, guided tour of Lakes Distillery

Cost From £170pp

More Details: Lake District Paddleboarding