1st Lesson & What to Expect

Looking to learn to Stand Up Paddle Board, then you have come to the perfect place to begin your journey. Based in Thorpe Bay in Essex we offer people the opportunity to get started in one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

We provide all the equipment required for your lesson, the life jacket, the safety leash, the paddle and of course the all important board and fin. Now all you have to do is come along, relax and let us teach you how to stand up paddle board.

A SUP experience comes with so many benefits, from a health perspective, physically and psychologically, to calorie burning and toning, to topping up your vitamin-d and getting that all magical Blue Therapy. Sharing that experience and spending time with you on the water, is what we are all about.

You will need to bring your swimwear and beach shoes or flip flops, a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards, you never know, you may just get wet ;) we have changing facilities available for your discretion should you require. Sunglasses, especially expensive ones should be attached with toggles to prevent from losing them.

We highly recommend water as it can be quite thirsty work and if hot prevent you from dehydrating, and don’t forget your sun cream. NOTE; due to hygiene risks we do not supply wetsuits or beach/water shoes. If you are in any doubts regarding undertaking paddle boarding as a lesson, please consult your doctor first.

This is where the fun begins, after changing into our water attire we will provide you with a brief history of Sup along with a run down of all your equipment including fin set up and paddle adjustment. Time now for a pre sup stretch then our short safety briefing before heading to the shoreline, this will include a demo on how to carry your board safely and avoid injury to yourself or others. Before we head out onto the water to teach you how to stop, cover some of the basic turns including the sweep turn, we will demonstrate and explain the importance of leaving and returning to shore safely to avoid damage to yourself or your board.

The lesson then moves on to cover several options of obtaining the standing position from kneeling, we talk about and demonstrate correct posture and it’s importance, and the role it plays in terms of sup before going on to three other board positions. Next step in your progression while standing and practicing the stroke techniques and turns, we will talk a little about tides and current, how to identify and deal with various waves including rolling, white horses, and swell.

Time to get wet now as we introduce board recovery for those inevitable times when should you fall off (which is always welcomed with resounding cheers and applause from fellow paddlers) and the various options and ways available to you. Throughout the duration of your lesson there will be ample beach stops, allowing time to rest those jelly legs and rehydrate. With Q&A and an opportunity to reapply any sun creams before moving on to the final phase of the session.

We conclude the lesson with our infamous fidget spinners game, and time for the more confident paddlers to try the surf stance and step back turn, this is followed with some free practice and time for you to enjoy what you have learnt.

Now we have that group and individual photo opportunities, any Q&A you may have for us, before a post sup cool down stretch to help reduce any muscle soreness. Lesson conclusion and a sincere thank you from us for choosing us to teach you, a discussion on what next, or which board etc to choose, and what options you have going forward from this Sup Experience.

We hope that the above information gives you an overview as to what we will be covering during your initial introduction to this wonderful sport.

We hope it helps to put your mind at ease, should you be feeling a little nervous. Our intention is for you to enjoy yourself, have fun, and like us, leave you hooked.