What is stand up paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle boarding involves standing up on a board that floats on water and using a paddle to move around. The paddle board looks similar to a surf board and is made from glass-reinforced plastic around a polyurethane or expanded polystyrene foam core.

Guy Fisher, Director of SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK explains, “Stand-up paddling has become one of the fastest growing sports all over the world. The water based activity can be enjoyed on any pool of water, be it a river, lake or sea at any time. In addition to the fun that can be had, it is a great sport that provides full body and low impact exercise which improves body balance and overall strength.

How was stand up paddle boarding invented?

Stand up paddle boarding was said to have originated on the African coast where people stood up in their dugout canoes to get a better view of what was around them, especially looking out for danger. This is the reason that lifeguards also use stand up paddle boards to look out for anyone who might need help and to be able to quickly get to them.

Another reason that stand up paddle boarding came into favour as a sport was in Hawaii where it was adopted as a different way to go surfing when there weren’t many big waves. SUP enables you to practice your surfing technique and balance in the sea when there isn’t much swell.

Due to the stability of stand up paddle boards, they have become increasingly popular as a recreational activity, allowing you to get unique views of nature from the water.

What do you wear for stand up paddle boarding?

You can wear whatever you want for stand up paddle boarding, however you might want to think about the temperature and getting wet if you fall in.

In warmer weather, T shirt and shorts will be just fine, but if the water is a bit cold for you, a wetsuit may be required. You can buy wetsuits or rent them from the place you rent your board from.

Where Can I Try Stand up Paddle Boarding in the UK?

Being an island, the UK is a great place to try stand up paddle boarding. There are an enormous range of places where you can go to hire one. But if you fancy trying stand up paddle boarding on a patch of water near you and there isn’t a board hire shop nearby, you can now get a paddle board delivered to your door!

SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK – Stand up Paddle Boards for Hire and Delivered to Your Door

SUP Rentals Ltd is an Oxfordshire based stand up paddle board hire business offering inflatable paddle boards to rent in the UK.

SUP boards are larger boards and the desire to travel with them has led to the development of an inflatable system where the board and pump can be carried in a back pack.

SUP Rentals Ltd offers the rent of stand up paddleboards from one day, up to two weeks with prices starting at £15 per day per paddle board.

Each stand up paddleboard – the Zray Tourer Elite 330 cm / 10’6” – is perfect for adults or families and comes with its own pump, ensuring quick and easy inflation.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards are lightweight and pack down in to a rucksack and the company will deliver to the customer via courier to their doorstep – or customers can collect from their base in Oxfordshire.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards can be rolled up and packed in a lightweight pack for easy transportation. The boards are safe and durable, with a more rigid construction technology than other inflatable boards currently on the market. SUP Rentals have a long history in renting equipment for water based activities and the quality of their equipment and safety of their customers is second to none. It is awesome to be able to rent a stand up paddle board that is delivered right to your door. In addition, when hiring the SUP boards, life jackets and dry bags can be reserved through the online booking process.

If you want to buy your own inflatable stand up paddle board in the UK, it will set you back around £500. You can buy them from stores such as Decathlon, Surf Boutique or Amazon.

The Great Social Stand Up Paddle Boarding Trip

Stand up paddle boarding is pretty straightforward and easy to learn. The boards are very stable and make for a great way to spend your recreational time at the weekends with friends. You can go online and rent a couple of inflatable boards, get them delivered to your door and then have some fun at the weekend.

If you are still wondering if it is easy to learn how to stand up paddle board, this Youtube video explains everything for you.

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It’s not all about the nature watching. The experience of paddling across the waves under your own power is quite soothing to the soul. One of the great things about a sea kayak is that they are wider than normal kayaks, and designed to be much more stable in the waves. Within ten minutes, a complete beginner can work out how to move about in a sea kayak, so it is good for newcomers and experts alike.

Sea kayaking for beginners

Sea kayaking is readily accessible for beginners, however depending on your fitness and coordination it will be easier for some. Talking to a sea kayak instructor I was told that more and more people struggle with sea kayaks because adults and children are so unfit these days. Paddling can be a bit tiring on the arms if you are not used to doing any form of physical activity.

What to Expect When Sea Kayaking

I have been longing to go sea kayaking for a while. Walking the cliff top coastal paths around the UK, I often sea small groups of people in sea kayaks exploring the cliffs and caves. Whilst on holiday in North Devon, I took the opportunity to try it out.

We went sea kayaking with H2Outdoors in Ilfracombe, Devon. We met at the harbour, where we were given wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and a paddle. The wetsuits were nice clean and dry, which is a rarity for doing watersports. Most times I have been on water adventures, the instructor has only a limited supply of wetsuits which will have been used for the previous session and so you have to put on a damp smelly one. Not at H2Outdoors. The instructors make a point of having enough wetsuits for everyone that are in good condition and looked after. A good start to the kayaking experience.

Safety is a priority, and you are given top class sit on sea kayaks and safety equipment. All of the Instructors are British Canoe Union qualified and first aid trained. Each instructor is equipped with all the necessary safety gear including tow lines, flares, first aid kits, VHF radio, mobile phones and other such equipment required for the conditions and the group.

We were given a safety brief, and shown how to use a paddle efficiently. Then we carried our kayaks from the boathouse down to the harbour’s edge. Some families had opted for tandem kayaks for younger children. Due to the group mainly being families with younger children, the 2 hour session remained within the protection of the inner and outer harbour at Ilfracombe. For stag and hen party groups, able teenagers and adults, sea kayaking sessions go out exploring the coast around North Devon.

Getting into a Sea Kayak

It was quite easy to get into the sea kayaks, mainly because they were sit on top style. From the shore, you just put the front end of the sea kayak in the water so that the front floats and the back still rests on the shore. You then sit on it, and either shuffle the sea kayak forwards into the water, or get a helpful push.

Fun on the Water in a Sea Kayak

We paddled around the harbour and played a few games such as throwing sponges at each other and British Bulldog/Seadog. This helped us practice our paddling and steering skills and improved confidence. The bit I enjoyed most was kayaking in the channels between the rocks and the cliff. The waves were coming around the rocks which made things a bit more challenging but a lot more fun.

We will certainly go sea kayaking again, but aim to go on a half day trip so that we get to go out along the coast.

Sea Kayaking with H2Outdoors

Regardless of your paddling experience, H2Outdoors offers fun filled tailored sessions. H2Outdoors Sea Kayaking sessions are perfect for small or large groups with varied paddling experience as we use sit-on kayaks which are incredibly stable and easy to paddle and all sessions include an introduction to kayaking before taking to the water for some fun. No experience is necessary and all equipment is provided.

If you have some experience and would like to journey a little further along the coast, they have kayaking options for you to choose from ranging from short journeys using sit-on kayaks to half and full day packages using enclosed cockpit sea kayaks. Multi day sea kayaking in North Devon trips are available on request.

H2Outdoor can arrange one-to-one kayaking sessions for you to have our qualified instructor focus solely on you and provide the opportunity to practice rescues and rolls or develop other skills within the kayaking sport.
They also provide other outdoor adventurous activities such as coasteering, high ropes and mountain biking.

Sea kayaking tips

The book Sea Kayak Handling: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers by Doug Cooper is a great compilation of tips on getting started in sea kayaking.
These are a few things I have learned from experience or observation.

1. It is less tiring if you are more efficient with your paddling. If you can paddle in a straight line, you use up less energy than trying to correct a zigzag course. Aim to put the paddle into the water as close to the side of the sea kayak as possible.
2. If approaching a wave, face your kayak into the wave rather than being side on as it is less likely to tip your sea kayak over.
3. Sea kayaks are not intended for use with surf. If you want to try that sort of thing you need to go wave surfing.
4. Wear a buoyancy aid. If you fall out of your sea kayak, it is one less thing to think about if you don’t have to put in the effort to keep your head above water.
5. Plan ahead and know what the sea and weather conditions are going to be like.
6. Tell someone where you are going
7. Carry a waterproof dry bag with a mobile phone or radio in it so you can call for help if needed.
8. Depending in the weather and time of year, a full body wetsuit will keep you warmer than a short wetsuit.
9. Use a paddle leash so that if you let go of your paddle it doesn’t float away.

Sea kayaking equipment

To go sea kayaking you will need:

• Sea Kayak
• Paddle
• Paddle Leash
• Wetsuit
• Buoyancy aid
• Neoprene Wetsuit boots
• Waterproof dry bag
• Helmet

Places to go Sea Kayaking

The best time to go sea kayaking in Europe is between May and October. In the US, October to May is better for sea kayaking as it is not too hot. August to September is hurricane season and must be avoided.

Sea kayaking in the UK

The UK coastline supports an abundance of wildlife that makes sea kayaking a great experience. The best places to go sea kayaking in the UK are around the Isle of Wight, off the North coast of Cornwall, Devon, and in Scotland.

Alaska sea kayaking

The Kenai Fjords in Alaska offer views of glaciers sliding into the sea. You paddle amongst ice, and can get to see glaciers calving and crashing into the sea. You will definitely need a guide for this trip. The fishing port of Seward is the national park headquarters, and where most sea kayakers go from. You will get to see wildlife such as Sea Eagles, Orca Whales and sea otters. Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking offer trips in Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords.

Greenland sea kayaking

Sea kayaking in the Arctic fjords of Greenland in the summer months gives access to perpetual daylight and passageways through channels in and around the fjords. See glaciers and icebergs in the lands of the Inuit, who invented kayaks. In case you are wondering, kayaks are the watercraft that you usually sit inside and are covered. Canoes are open boats more commonly used in warmer waters.

Sea kayaking in Iceland

Sea kayaking in Iceland is ice free all year round because of the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. You can take this tour as part of a trip to see the volcanoes, geysers and ice of this amazing place.

Sea kayaking in the Ionian Sea, Greece.

The Ionian Sea is the calmest sea around Greece and perfect for sea kayaking. The deep blue Mediterranean waters off the southern tip of Italy and Greece provide wonderful coastlines to explore like those around Crete or Corfu. Whilst exploring the coast and sea caves you might get to see turtles, seals or dolphins.

Sea Kayaking in the Sea of Cortez

Just south of San Diego off the coast of Baja California lies the Sea of Cortez. There are hundreds of unexplored coves, uninhabited islands and estuary mouths to discover. You can see wildlife including sea lions, turtles and plenty of birdlife. One popular route offered by Baja Outdoor Activities is to kayak all the way around the Isla Espiritu Santo near La Paz. You can go on a trip where you and your sea kayak are taken to the island by motorboat. Tours provide camping spots on the island so you can paddle your way around the island camping overnight at stops along the way. After a hard day paddling, turning up to a delicious cooked meal that awaits you is wonderful. Sea kayaking all the way around Isla Espiritu Santo takes between five and seven days.

Sea Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

If you are lucky enough to travel to Thailand, make an effort to try sea kayaking in Phang Nga Bay. Explore hidden sea caves that only a sea kayak can get into. The bay has been used for films such as The Beach, and James Bond movies. Using inflatable sea kayaks, you get to paddle through caves and narrow passageways into the hidden interior of the islands. The water inside the middle is called a hong (room). You are surrounded on all sides by lush forest vegetation hanging from the limestone cliffs. Access to the caves is tidal, so you should use an experienced guide who knows the area.

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Skills – Strength: 4, Balance: 5, Flexibility: 3, Agility: 1, Coordination: 5
Time needed: 2 hours, Cost to try: £50.

Whitewater rafting is a very thrilling way to go down a river. There are three types of river that you can go rafting on. These are:

1. a man-made whitewater river, like the London 2012 Olympic whitewater river at Lee Valley. This river is controlled and is used for canoeing competitions. A man-made river is ideal for spectators to see the entire stretch of water.
2. Dam release rivers such as Canolfan Tryweryn – The National Whitewater Centre in Bala, Wales. Dam release rivers use the periodical release from dams to create the whitewater. The advantage of this type of river is that you can use it for whitewater rafting when other rivers have dried up during hot weather.
3. A natural river such as the River Dee or Colorado. This whitewater river is not dependant on Dam releases as other Welsh venues are, which makes us truly the only year round White Water Rafting in Wales.

The rafts used are not the old fashioned set of logs tied together as made when you are in Scouts. They are inflatable boats that are resistant to the buffeting that is experienced when whitewater rafting down a wild river. Whitewater rafting can be a dangerous sport, so there are various safety precautions that must be taken. Depending on the area
, legislated safety measures now exist for rafting operators. These range from certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, to more stringent regulations about equipment and procedures. It is generally advisable to discuss safety measures with a rafting operator before signing on for a trip. The equipment used and the qualifications of the company and raft guides are essential information to be considered.

With paddle in one hand and helping to carry the raft in the other hand, you set off onto a calm piece of water at the head of the river. Then you all head off over the first weir. The advantage of the manmade river is that the instructor will guide the team in the raft to the calm eddies at the side of each weir to brief them on how to tackle the next weir. The instructor explains what to do and then you experience how the raft behaves as you cross from one side of the water to the other. If you should happen to fall out, all you do is just lay back and float. The remainder of your team in the raft have to paddle to reach you and then pull you into the raft. The downside of the manmade river is that it is shoprt compared with a natural river, and when you reach the bottom you all have to get out and carry the raft back to the head of the river for another whitewater run. If you are on a natural river, you just go down once, but the distance is much further.

Find Out More About Whitewater Rafting

There are several great places to go whitewater rafting in the UK.

• Holme Pierrepoint at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham
• Canolfan Tryweryn, the National Whitewater based near Bala, North Wales
• Whitewater Active. JJ Canoeing and Rafting is one of the Uk’s leading White Water Rafting and Canoeing Centre based in Llangollen, in North Wales.
• Lee Valley, near London. This is the London 2012 Olympic whitewater rafting venue. One of the cool things about this venue is that it has a lift to take your raft back up to the top. No carrying it all the way back up the river!

Some of the best places to go white water rafting are all in the Americas. Canada, Idaho and Ecuador feature, with other locations including Australia, Italy, Nepal and the Zambezi. I want to try whitewater rafting on the wild waters of the Noce River in Italy. The Noce flows through the Val di Sole in the Dolomites of northern Italy. It has some of the most exciting whitewater rafting in Europe, with an amazing set of Class V rapids as it roars through the gorges of Mostizzolo. You have got to try whitewater rafting in the Dolomites.
If you prefer something a bit more sedate, you could always try raft building.

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This summer, there is endless free fun to be had by having water fights with your friends. But in what ways can you have fun with water?

When the day is hot, you can cool down with your friends in the most fantastic way by having a water fight. There are endless different ways to have a water fight, from buckets of water to super soakers. In case you don’t know what the possibilities are, here are a few starters.

Free Water Fighting

Water Fights With Sponges

You can expand on the free water fighting with washing up liquid bottles by using sponges. Fill up the sponge with water and then throw it at your opponents. The only problem is that you then have to get past your friends to get your missile back! This is done at the risk of getting a jet of water squirted at you.

Water Bombs, Water Bomb Launchers and Catapults

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If you want to begin throwing water bombs at each other in a water fight, you can buy water bombs or water balloons. These are like normal balloons but the rubber is thinner so that it bursts on impact. You fill them up from a tap, tie a knot in the neck and then try to store them safely before you throw them.

Water bombs from Amazon

You can now get water mortars which are spring loaded tubes. You put your water bomb into the water mortar, aim and fire. This launches the water bomb a long way. The Wildsling Water Bomb Launcher is a catapult that can fire a water bomb up to 300 feet!

Water bomb launchers from Amazon

Targets and Water Bombs

You can show off your mastery of launching water bombs by having a target to aim at. It is more fun if the target is a moving friend. See how far you can launch your water bombs, or maybe see how accurate you can be.

Water Pistols and Super Soakers

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Water pistols used to be a small hollow plastic pistol that held a minimal amount of water and squirted a few metres before it ran out. Nowadays, the super soaker pump action water pistols can squirt a jet of water over ten metres.

When choosing your super soaker, there are a few things to think about. Firstly, how much water can it hold in its reservoir? This will give an idea how long you can last in your water fight before having to refill. Secondly, how far can the super soaker water pistol squirt water? You will also need to know how the reservoir can be refilled with water. Often, the reservoir can be filled either by unscrewing a cap or the cap features a push down valve that allows you to fill it up with a hose with minimum of fuss.

Water pistols and super soakers from Amazon

Hose Pipes and Lawn Sprinklers

There are a range of water sprinklers on the market that are used for watering grass. There are also specially designed water squirters and sprinklers such as Crazy Daisy which is a flower that you attach to the hose pipe which then flops about and sprays water all over the place. Crazy Daisy also comes under the name Dizzy Daisy. You can get a Fisher Price Dizzy Daisy from Amazon or Argos. These are great fun to run in and out of, or try to push your friends into the water spray.

Water sprinkler games from Amazon like Crazy Daisy

Water Fights in the Rain

You don’t have to wait for a hot sunny day to have a water fight. You can have just as much fun in the rain, although it does help if it is a warm summer shower.

You could also have a water fight in the sea or a lake.

I hope that you have lots of fun with your water fights. We know that they are bound to end with you all running around hurling water directly from the buckets at each other.

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What Does Raft Building Involve?

Raft building involves using a selection of materials provided to build a floating raft or platform on which you can stand or sit. The aim can be just to successfully build something that floats, get to the other side of a lake or river, or to race against another group.

The construction of a raft involves tying or lashing wooden poles, barrels and other materials together with rope. The knots you use will ensure that everything stays together, or perhaps not.

Raft Building Designs

The design of your raft will depend on the materials you have been given. You will usually get some wooden poles for the frame. Barrels are used to provide containers of air that float. These provide the buoyancy you need to keep afloat.

When you are arguing, I mean discussing your raft design, stability is key. Just because it floats doesn’t necessarily mean that you can all stay on top of it. The higher the raft is above the water compared with how wide it is will affect stability.

Rafts come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s up to your imagination and creativity to explore what can be built.

Raft Building Games

The most common raft building game is to race other teams across a lake or river. You can place a buoy in the water so that the teams have to paddle their rafts out to the buoy, go around it and come back to shore. Sometimes you can get the teams to carry an object, or collect something.
Water fights are always a great game to play on rafts.
You can make the construction into a game by limiting the amount of time the teams have to build their raft.

How to Use Raft Building for Team Building or Activity Days

Raft building can be used for team building to develop team work and leadership, or just for having fun. You can have a half day session, or combine it with other activities to form a full day session.
Most outdoor activity centres provide raft building. You can go raft building at Center Parcs with your friends or family on the lake.

Raft Building Tips

My top tips for raft building are:

1. Build a sturdy frame for the raft first, but position barrels in each corner so you know where they will fit.
2. Use a barrel in each corner for stability
3. More barrels make it float better, but doesn’t make it more stable
4. Make the frame as wide and long as possible for stability
5. Don’t use too many planks or poles for the frame, because it makes the raft heavier
6. Make sure you have somewhere to sit on your raft
7. Remember to have something to paddle with or use to push yourself along
8. Always wear buoyancy aids
9. Make sure your barrels are tied on very tightly. I have seen barrels come loose and everyone get dumped into the water
10. Wear something on your feet to avoid standing on sharp objects in the water when you have to get off the raft

You can buy barrels for raft building from Amazon.

If you think raft building is a bit too sedate for you, how about getting wet and wild by going white water rafting?

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