2-Hour Group SUP Experience – Teddington

• Train: Teddington train station is a 15-minute walk away.
• Bike: There is ample room to lock bikes on the railings outside the pub where we meet.
• Bus: Bus routes 33, 281, 285, 481, R68 and X26 all go through the Kingston Road/Manor Road/Ferry Road crossroads, which is just a 2-minute walk down Broom Road to the pub we meet at.​
• Parking: There is a small car park at the pub, but this fills very quickly, however you can usually park free of charge on Ferry Road on Teddington village side of the crossroads.

Our SUP classes are designed for all skill levels, guaranteeing that each participant will acquire new knowledge and leave feeling a sense of achievement.

Those aged 14 and above can join if they’re supervised by a parent or guardian on the water.

For those 10 and older, private lessons are usually possible, but group sessions are not advised. You can view our private sessions at the bottom of the page.

Absolutely! All sessions are supervised by a certified instructor and are timed to occur at ‘half-tide’ for minimal river flow at Richmond, maximising safety.

From Teddington, if we are staying on the tidal Thames we usually paddle down to Eel Pie Island and back. If we head upstream onto the non-tidal river we will paddle round the beautiful and hidden Trowlock Island, and may even get to Kingston town centre before heading back.

You’ll begin with a safety overview and some land-based instruction. Then, we head to the water for a guided lesson that covers everything from paddleboarding gear, river safety, tidal understanding, to maneuvering techniques. We aim to have you standing and paddling confidently quickly!

Sorry, this experience is for people only. However, you can book our special Doggy Paddle sessions at the bottom of the page!

Come dressed in the attire you plan to paddle in, as our changing space is quite basic.

Your bags and valuables can be safely stored in our lockable storage area.

You don’t need specialised attire, but please avoid jeans and cotton, as they become uncomfortably cold when wet. Quick-drying gym clothes or swimwear work well in warm weather (shorts, leggings, T-shirts, fleeces).

Footwear is optional; most people prefer to paddle barefoot, but water shoes, flip-flops, or older trainers are fine if you prefer.

For sunny conditions, pack a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle.

During colder months (November to March), we recommend wearing a wetsuit. These are available upon request, or you can bring your own. Also, pack extra layers, a towel, and a change of clothes in case you end up in the water.

Consider bringing a small dry bag to hold spare clothes, money, essential medications, and your phone in a waterproof case. If you don’t have a dry bag, we sell them on-site. If you’re concerned about losing sunglasses, sunglasses straps are available for purchase for £5.

Our sessions include the use of our paddleboards, paddles, and mandatory buoyancy aids.

Nearly everyone is standing up within 10 minutes of getting on the water.  We use really stable boards that make it easy for everyone to get started, and tried and tested techniques to help you feel comfortable standing on the boards.  It’s a brilliant all-body workout, and you’ll certainly feel it the day after (in a good way).  And don’t worry about your core muscles – if you paddle enough they will become super-strong!

The Thames is currently one of the cleanest rivers running through a major city in the world, and is recognised as a massive environmental success story. It currently boasts about 325 wildlife species in its tidal stretches, including; cormorants, herons, seals, and perch, some of which you’ll be sure to see on your trip. You’ll also be sharing the river with lots of people who also use the water, especially rowers, kayakers, motorboats, and the occasional open-water swimmer!

As a precaution for paddling in any inland water, open cuts should be covered with plasters and tape, and you should wash your hands with soap / antibacterial gel before eating any food. Take a shower if you fall in.

Not very likely – but there’s a small chance. We will teach you techniques to help you feel stable on your board, and how to get down onto your knees if you need a break from standing. We will also make sure you know how to get back on your board in the unlikely event that you do take a dip.

We occasionally cancel group trips if we do not have the minimum number of participants to run the session (this is rare between Spring-Autumn). We also very occasionally cancel if we deem conditions on the day to be unsafe (e.g. very strong winds, nearby thunderstorms, fast river flow, etc.), but we are not put off by wet weather. In fact, it’s lovely on the river in the rain! If your session is cancelled by us, you will have an option to reschedule.