Everyone Starts
Somewhere
Start Here
Beginner paddleboarding lessons on London’s canals.
No experience, no particular fitness level,
no idea what you’re doing? No problem. Our instructors
have taught hundreds of first-timers. by the end of your
first session you’ll be standing, paddling and wondering
why you didn’t do it sooner.
Up to 8 people
— Why learn on a London canal
Learn to SUP in one session
Canals are a perfect place to learn to paddleboard. The water is calm and sheltered, there are no tides or unpredictable currents, and the depth is forgiving enough that falling in, which does sometimes happen, is completely fine. (Even so, usually only 1 in every 10 paddlers end up taking a dip.) Learning on the sea or a river is a different experience. The canal is kinder and more patient with beginners.
Our Learn 2 SUP sessions are built around getting you confident and competent on the water in a single session. We teach you how to get on the board, how to stand, how to paddle efficiently and how to turn with ease. Most people find their feet within the first half of the session, with the rest of the session to keep building confidence.
Sessions run at our Islington, Hackney and Paddington locations – quieter spots for training your board legs. All equipment is provided and you don’t need to bring anything except perhaps a towel and change of clothes for afterwards.
Everything included
Session price £54
No hidden extras. per person
— WHY IT WORKS
What you’ll cover in 90 minutes
A structured session that takes you from the bank to the canal and back with new skills at every stage.
Getting on board
Finding your feet
Paddling and steering
What happens if I fall in?
— Also available
Other ways to get on board
Want more time on the water? More personalised attention, or a proper paddle along the canal? These sessions build on the Learn 2 SUP foundation.
🧑🎓
Learn 2 SUP for total beginners
This page. Everything covered above. The right place to start if you’ve never been on a paddleboard before.
£54
per person
👥
Private 1:1 or 1:2 sessions
The instructor’s full attention is on you throughout. Progress significantly faster than in a shared session.
£65
per person (two shared)
🗺️
Lesson and Canal Tour
Start with the essentials, then paddle a proper stretch of the canal with your instructor alongside you. The best format for people who have a bit of experience or are confident learners.
£59
per person (discount for booking 2 or more)
Simple Process
Book, show up, paddle
Pick a date, confirm your booking – everything you need to know for the day will be in the confirmation email. Still have questions? No problem, just drop us an email.
Choose your session and book online
Show up on the day
Leave with new skills
— WHERE WE PADDLE
Four easily accessible London locations
All sessions run on calm, sheltered canal water with changing rooms and showers on site.
Camden | Regent's Park
Hackney East London
Islington
Calm and central. Great for beginners
Paddington
— Common Questions
Before you book
Does everyone need to be able to swim?
All participants need to feel comfortable in and around the water and be able to comfortably float.
Will I fall in?
Maybe, but if you want to learn to paddleboard, you need to fall in at some point. Getting back on your board is a key skill to learn so you’re confident paddling in different settings. That said, most people don’t fall in their first time on board with us.
What should I wear and bring?
Sporty clothes are great. In the summer, shorts, leggings or joggers with a T. When it’s a bit chillier, layers are great. Everyone needs shoes – wetshoes are ideal but an old pair of trainers are fine. We have changing rooms and showers at all locations. Secure storage for bags and valuables is available on site.
Am I too old or unfit to try paddleboarding?
Paddleboarding doesn’t require a particular level of fitness. We’ve taught people in their seventies alongside people in their twenties in the same session. If you can stand up, you can paddleboard. The canal is gentle and the pace is yours throughout.
What's the difference between this and a private session?
A Learn 2 SUP session may run alongside a small number of other learners at the same time. A private lesson means the instructor’s attention is entirely on you throughout. Both work well for beginners — private lessons just get you to a confident level faster. You can see private lesson options above.
Can I cancel or rearrange my booking?
All bookings are final but you can reschedule your session with 72 hours (3 days) notice. Full details are in our cancellation policy, which you’ll see at checkout.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We paddle in most weather. A light shower doesn’t stop the session. If conditions are genuinely unsafe (high winds or thunderstorms), we’ll contact you as early as possible to rearrange at no extra cost. We never cancel without a good reason and always work with you to find an alternative date.
How far in advance do we need to book?
For weekend sessions, especially in spring and summer, we recommend booking 3 to 4 weeks in advance as these fill up quickly. Weekday sessions are often available with shorter notice. Get in touch and we’ll tell you exactly what’s available around your birthday date.
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic experience on a beautiful sunny April afternoon. Claire was a superb instructor. She clearly enjoyed what she was doing and made me feel very confident. I would highly recommend Paddleboarding London.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brilliant first lesson. Very calm, no pressure, lovely instructors, in a small group.
You can go at your own pace after the basics and safety instructions.
Buying for someone else?
Give the gift of paddleboarding
If you’re buying a birthday gift rather than organising the session yourself, our gift vouchers are the perfect answer. The recipient chooses their own session, date and location. Vouchers are valid for 13 months so there’s no pressure.
- Beautifully designed, personalised email voucher
- Sent instantly or scheduled for a date of your choice
- Valid for any session across all four locations
- Choose an event type or voucher value
READY TO PADDLE?
Book your Learn 2 SUP session
Pick a date, pick a location and you’re done. No waiting for a reply, no back and forth. Instant confirmation.
— More Solo Sessions
Other ways to paddle with us
Private Lessons
£130 for 2 people
Sunset & Full Moon
SUP Yoga
SUP with PUP
Gift vouchers
Paddleboarding London
Canal & River Trust Partner
Individual bookings
Learn to SUP
Private lessons
Sunset paddles
Dog paddles
Gift vouchers
Locations
Camden
Hackney
Islington
Paddington
Full schedule