Yorkshire’s waterways are perfect for paddle boarding – take a look at where you can give it a go.
Whether you want to call it stand up paddle boarding or just ‘supping’, this simpler version of surfing has become increasingly popular in Yorkshire. You can give it a try at a growing number of places in Leeds and beyond, with lessons for all levels of ability and confidence. Once you’ve mastered the basics, take to the water, kneeling or standing up on your board as you paddle your way around the county’s lovely aquatic landmarks!
SUP Active Yorkshire
SUP Active Yorkshire specialise in stand up paddle boarding at the gorgeous Ellerton Lake. You’ll get instructor-led lessons to get you up and running – well, up and floating, anyway. They use high-quality equipment and rely on expert tuition to get you on the water and independent as soon as possible.
Introductory sessions take around 2.5 hours and cover safety, paddling kneeling up, paddling standing up and how to launch. Once you feel more confident, you can move on to their river paddle session in Ripon, where you’ll spot waterside wildlife as you pass Newby Hall. Want something completely different? Combine supping with yoga for a watery workout!
Where? SUP Active Yorkshire, Ellerton Park, Ellerton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, DL10 6AP.
How much? Lessons start from £42 per adult, SUP Yoga is from £35 per adult, and the evening river/canal paddle sessions starts from £25 per adult.
Find out more: supactiveyorkshire.com
Scarborough Surf School
One of the great selling points of Scarborough Surf School is its location at Cayton Bay on the North Yorkshire coast. Known for its superb surf, this is an exposed water area, which means you’ll have to be a strong swimmer and, for extra safety, classes will only run when the waters and winds are calm.
Tick those boxes and you’re in for a treat, as you’ll run through a lesson that covers knee-paddling, standing and paddle strokes, so that after two hours, you’re ready to move up – all in shallow waters. You can join group lessons of three to seven people or take one-to-one or one-to-two foundation lessons for a rapid introduction to the world of stand up paddle boarding.
Where? Scarborough Surf School, Killerby Cliff, Cayton Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3NR.
How much? Lessons start from £45 per person for groups, £70 per person for pairs, and £90 per person for one-to-one sessions.
Find out more: scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk
Dexters Surf School
Nestled in the popular North Bay of Scarborough – a fine place to admire the Yorkshire coastline – Dexters Surf Shop and School provides paddle boarding for all abilities and ages. Their price includes board hire, wetsuit, accessories and a life jacket, along with tuition and 90 minutes on the water.
Their expert instructors will take you through the basics and make safety paramount, while building up your confidence and abilities. Group lessons are available for people aged 13 and over, but they also have a kids club for the little ones. If you’ve boarded before, they offer equipment hire with tariffs by the hour or for a full day.
Where? Dexters Surf School, Kepwick House, North Bay Promenade, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7TN.
How much? Lessons start from £35 per person for groups of four or more, £40 per person for groups of three, £55 per person for pairs, and £70 per person for one-to-one sessions.
Find out more: dexterssurfshop.com
DC Outdoors
Credit: DC Outdoors
Ulley Reservoir may be a far cry from Hawaii where paddle boarding originated, but it has a beauty all of its own. It’s the setting for SUP tasters with DC Outdoors, the ideal half-day intro to get you on a board. You’ll be provided with all the equipment you need, as well as a full safety briefing before you hit the water.
They’ll work on getting you from your knees to your feet, then you can progress to their day course, Discover SUP, which focusses on strokes and advanced techniques. If you’d rather do your paddle boarding closer to the city, you can book their Outdoor City SUP Experience, which takes place at the Victoria Quays in Sheffield and lets you journey along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal.
Where? DC Outdoors, 4 Upper Hoyland Road, Hoyland, South Yorkshire, S74 9NF.
How much? Taster sessions start from £50 per person, Discover SUP day course starts from £90 per person, and the Outdoor City SUP Experience starts from £50 per person.
Find out more: dcoutdoors.co.uk
Lost Earth Adventures
Want to learn how to paddle board on a secret lake in a truly beautiful part of Yorkshire? Here’s your chance. Surrounded by magnificent woodland in Nidderdale near Pateley Bridge, this unspoiled stretch of water is home to stand up paddle boarding sessions run by Lost Earth Adventures.
A pro instructor will take you through a taster or work with you to improve your skills if you’ve done it before. If you’re getting really good, you can even move up to the advanced SUP course. The views from the water are unforgettable, surrounded by prehistoric rock formations and ancient woods. Private guided sessions are available, with the price dropping as more people take part.
Where? Lost Earth Adventures, 3 New Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8RA.
How much? Half-day sessions start from £59 per person for groups, £129 per person for pairs, or £238 per person for one-to-one sessions.
Find out more: lostearthadventures.co.uk
North Yorkshire Water Park
The main water sports lake at North Yorkshire Water Park is where you’ll get to take part in their stand up paddle boarding sessions. It’s open to anyone aged six or over, but kids need an adult along to supervise. Beginners are welcome and all boarders are provided with both wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and of course, boards.
The lake is a safe place to learn, with qualified staff, safety trained and on-hand to help. It’s ideal for group activities – they have a giant SUP that holds up to eight people and it makes for an awesome team building exercise. If you have your own paddle board and know the basics, you can purchase half and full-day permits to use the lake.
Where? North Yorkshire Water Park, Long Causeway Road, Wykeham, North Yorkshire, YO13 9QU.
How much? SUP hire without instruction is £17 per hour or £22 per person with instruction. Giant SUP hire is £40 up to four people and £10 extra per person up to a maximum of eight.
Find out more: northyorkshirewaterpark.co.uk
Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre
Yeadon Tarn is a freshwater lake in North Leeds. Not only is it the perfect place to go paddle boarding, but it’s also home to the expert instructors of the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre. Sat inside a lovely park, you can get a splash course in paddle boarding, with their season running between April and October.
The two-hour taster session includes all the equipment and safety gear you need and will help you build up your confidence and skills on the water. Group sessions are available, but if you prefer, there’s also one-to-one and one-to-two sessions. If you want to take the kids, there’s also junior taster sessions, which are suitable for kids around the ages of eight to 15.
Where? Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre, Yeadon Tarn, Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS19 7UR.
How much? Taster sessions start from £35 per person, and junior taster sessions start from £30.
Find out more: active.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-sailing-and-activity-centre
