Level 1 Intro to Stand Up Paddleboard Course (SUP) 3 Week Coached Block

This Level 1 coached 3-week SUP (stand up paddle board) course gives participants the opportunity to learn about the fastest growing watersport in the UK and the world.

Level: Grade 0 - This means it is a flat paddle and should be within most people’s abilities.

8th, 15th, 22nd September 2026, 18.30-20.00
Contact Us for your Group or to make a private tailored booking
£99 (with a free Half Day Hire session on completion)

8th September, 15th September, 22nd September plus the additional half day hire session at a time to suit you
18:30pm Tuesdays
Duration: 90 mins

Get Into Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) with this 3 week course. One of the simplest ways to take to the water with family or friends on paddle boards.

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Bank Based Briefing
Dry Bag
Paddles
Professional Coaches
Certification Fee
Activity Equipment

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Hire of Drysuits

Over three weeks make friends, get fit and master the Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) sport learning skills and drills, confidence and the ability to paddle independently. It Includes the Paddle UK (British Canoeing) Start Personal Paddling Award. Stand up paddle board lessons from professional instructors are the quickest way to learn how to paddle board and SUP safely on rivers, lakes and the sea.

Dates

Coaching sessions on 8th September, 15th September, 22nd September 2026.

Requirements

Suitable for ages 12+. Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 years and over.

Timings

It runs from 18:30pm to 20.00pm and each session is 1.5 hours

Included

Stand Up Paddleboard
SUP Paddle
Buoyancy Aid
Dry Bag (if needed)
Instructor

What you will need to bring

Bring comfortable clothing such as gym wear, shorts, a t-shirt or wetsuit, along with a pair of water shoes, or old trainers. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. No special equipment or clothing is required.

Location:

We have the perfect river location for paddlesports such as canoeing, kayaking and SUPs on the River Great Ouse, at Kempston Outdoor Centre near Bedford. It is well situated just 30 minutes from Milton Keynes, an hour north of London and halfway between Cambridge and Oxford.

3-Week Stand Up Paddle Board Course Format

Life is busy! So we have specifically designed this course to better fit into your busy lives.

The 3 sessions are designed to fit perfectly together to improve and progress your SUP skills here on the river in Bedfordshire.

This is followed by the free final session being a credit for our most popular trip, our half-day paddle from Kempston. You can book in the final session at your leisure (via the website), anytime this season, allowing you to choose when it best suits you.

Level 1 - Intro to Stand Up Paddleboarding (Includes the Paddle UK Start Award)

Week 1 SUP Skills Coaching

Equipment and craft choice
Getting onto the water
Standing up and balance on SUP's
Effective forward paddling on SUP's
Turning and moving your SUP
Correction strokes and SUP steering
Moving and manoeuvring your SUP sideways

Week 2 SUP (stand up paddle board ) Skills Coaching

Steering on the move
Moving on the board, stances and trim control
Intro to support strokes
Simple river journeys

Week 3 SUP Skills Coaching

Tricks and skills on SUP's
Leashes and safety
Self rescue skills on SUP's
An intro to peer rescue techniques

What's Covered in the Course?

Theory – General elements of SUP paddling
Safety – Staying safe and understanding the conditions
Access – Where you can paddle
Equipment – Knowing how to use and look after your equipment
Skills - From basic paddling to high performance turns, up and downwind paddling

Progess Onto Level 2

Level 2 - Develop and Progress Intermediate Stand Up Paddle Board Skills (includes the Paddle UK Discover Award)

Week 1 SUP Skills Coaching

Dynamic steering strokes
River leading skills, eddies and hazards
Moving around rivers with flows
Simple breaking in and out of flows on SUP's

Week 2 SUP Skills Coaching

New strokes to move sideways
Linking skills and strokes
Ferry gliding
Journeying

Week 3 SUP Skills Coaching

More safety and rescue skills including prone paddling on SUP's
More journeying with a look at towing
Power and speed forward paddling
Personal action plan

Progress onto Level 3

Level 3 - Develop and Progress SUP Skills with the SUP Safety Award

The Paddle UK SUP Safer Award will be included on the final element of the course

Reviews

Just spent a great evening learning to stand up paddleboard with Rich and Jay. With their help, finally got to my feet and stayed up. Absolutely loved it, what a lovely way to spend an evening. Thanks, guys

-- Sue

The course is suitable for beginners. Recommend for fun evening sessions on a board.

-- Jon

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.