Paddleboarding Lessons in Oxfordshire

If you’re looking to learn how to paddleboard or develop your skills in a fun, relaxed Adults Only environment with the widest choice of lesson options, then you’re in the right place!

Learning to paddle may have been on your ‘to-do’ list for a while & you’re determined to make 2024 the year you learn to SUP! Or you may have ‘had a go’ on holiday with no success. Whatever your reason, we know that your paddling ‘journey’ starts well before you attend your lesson and we fully appreciate that it’s probably taken you great courage & motivation to book.

Our private lessons are perfect if you’re uncomfortable learning a new skill in unfamiliar company or similarly you may have had a previous unsettling experience. These 1hr individually tailored lessons give you the opportunity to explore paddleboarding at your own pace & be rest assured there is never any pressure for you to ‘stand up’!

Our group lessons are ideal for all abilities – whether you’re a complete beginner, a relative ‘novice’ or you’re already a competent paddler looking to hone & develop your skills. We offer an unrivalled choice of group paddleboarding lessons here in Oxfordshire from 1hr Taster lessons through to our Advanced BSUPA L2 ‘Ready to Tour’ course. As always, if you’re not sure which lesson format is best for you, do please get in touch.

Your safety & welfare is our primary concern - please be aware that the weight capacity of our boards is 18st/114kg & we do not wish to disappoint. Please see our full T&Cs.

All our lessons are held here.

Your Lesson Pathway

Private

Suitable for:

Beginner
Novice
Intermediate

This 1hr private coaching session is perfect for beginners looking for a personal, relaxed lesson or for novice/intermediate paddlers who are looking to improve their skills with coaching tips, techniques, analysis and feedback.

Private lesson with Moi

- BSUPA Advanced Coach
- Adults only

1:1	from £80	BOOK NOW
1:2	from £150	BOOK NOW

Private lesson with Helen

- BSUPA L1 Instructor
- Adults only

1:1	from £45	BOOK NOW
1:2	from £80	BOOK NOW

Receive safety briefing & introduction.
Learn about your equipment, how to set your paddle height, how to correctly hold your paddle & where to stand on your board.
Start by paddling on your knees to get a ‘feel’ for the board and how to effectively manoeuvre.
Confidently begin stand up paddling.
Learn basic paddle techniques – paddling in a straight line, stopping, turning, backwards.
Move onto more advanced paddle techniques and turns when ready & comfortable.
Receive continuous encouragement, feedback and our ‘Top Tips’.

Taster

Suitable for:

Beginner
Novice

A fantastic 1hr introduction to paddle boarding for complete beginners, ‘self-taught’ paddlers or those returning to paddling after a break.

1hr, group lesson

- Adults only

1:4

from £35

BOOK NOW

Receive safety briefing & introduction.
Learn about your equipment, how to set & hold your paddle & your position on the board.
Start by paddling on your knees to get a ‘feel’ for the board and how to effectively manoeuvre.
Confidently ‘pop-up’ & start paddling.
Learn basic paddle techniques – paddling in a straight line, going backwards, turning & more importantly stopping!
Receive continuous encouragement, feedback and our ‘Top Tips’.

Improver

Suitable for:

Novice

A 1hr ‘skills & confidence booster’ lesson that is suited to those returning to the water after a break & are looking to refresh their skills & confidence or for those who’ve completed a Taster lesson and would like more ‘water time’.

1hr, group lesson

- Adults only

1:4

from £40

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We’ll review the basics, eg. setting paddle height, correct holding of your paddle, our paddling environment.
Review correct paddling stroke & turn techniques.
Analyse and correct posture, balance, feet positioning and placement.
Give individual feedback, advice & our ‘Top Tips’.

BSUPA Level 1 Course

Suitable for:

Beginner
Novice

A comprehensive, 2hr paddleboarding lesson that will take you from ‘zero to hero’ - ideally suited to both beginners and novice paddlers alike who are keen to gain confidence and broad skills.

2hr, group lesson

- Adults only

1:4

from £60

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Receive a detailed ‘on land’ briefing giving introduction to equipment & correct set-up, safety measures, paddle positioning and placement and overview of our on-water lesson.
Receive advice on self-rescue techniques.
Learn, experience and practice skills, techniques & turns.
Gain confidence moving around the board.
Learn how to analyse weather and environments.
Receive BSUPA Level 1 ‘Ready to Ride’ certificate.

BSUPA Level 2 Course

Suitable for:

Intermediate

Available to those who have completed the BSUPA L1 course, this BSUPA L2 course signifies that you have reached an intermediate level capable of undertaking longer distance tours on the water, including navigating different conditions, planning routes, and using advanced paddling techniques. Held at various locations across Oxfordshire.

6hr, group lesson

- Adults only

1:8

from £80

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Pre ‘on-water’ assessment & practice to review & improve paddling stroke & techniques.
‘On-land’ detailed lesson addressing topics like weather conditions, water currents, appropriate equipment selection for touring, and safety procedures for extended paddles.
Tour Planning: A key aspect is the ability to plan a tour, considering access points, exit strategies, potential hazards, and appropriate gear based on the environment.
Subsequent 2-3hr planned tour with opportunity to act as lead 'guide'.
Receive BSUPA Level 2 ‘Ready to Tour’ stamp on your BSUPA card.

Useful Things to Know:

Please arrive 20 minutes before your lesson time.
Please arrive already wearing swimming attire - you will be given a wetsuit to wear over the top.
Barefoot paddling is best to give you enhanced ‘feel’ and balance – but we suggest that you bring trainers/deck shoes/wet boots along with you to wear to launch points.

Please remember to bring a change of clothes, towel & water bottle.
If you require the use of prescription glasses/sunglasses, we have sports bands/retainers for you to use.
We supply all paddle board equipment and buoyancy aids.
Free parking & amenities on-site

What To Expect From Your Lesson

You’ll be asked to complete & sign a Health Declaration Form. We’ll take note of any important medical concerns and conditions. If you need an inhaler on-water, please advise and we’ll take it with us in a waterproof, sealed bag.
You’ll be offered a wetsuit and presented with a buoyancy aid and paddle.
You’ll be able to leave your car keys, valuables in the locked van.
At the riverside, we’ll conduct our safety briefing and short ‘land-based’ introduction to paddleboarding and what to expect when we’re on the water.
We’ll introduce you to setting the correct height of your paddle and how to hold it correctly.
You’ll be given the opportunity to ask questions before we launch our boards onto the water.
The first 5-10 minutes on the water will see us paddling on our knees, learning how to turn our boards, getting comfortable and getting a little bit wet practicing ‘self-rescue’!
We’ll then make our way upriver for the duration of your lesson where we’ll introduce our proven technique for standing-up, in addition to turning, stopping, reversing and enjoying paddling away with confidence!