If you’re a paddleboarding fan, or have always wanted to try it, there’s good news – you can do it right here in Bath!

With the river Avon ideal for stand up paddleboarding, there are plenty of opportunities to give it a try. It’s ideal if you’re a visitor who has perhaps tired of dry land tours, and fancies seeing Bath from a different point of view – from the river itself. Unlike boat tours on a fixed route, paddleboarding allows you the freedom to explore, especially if you’re more experienced.

Where to paddleboard in Bath

There are a couple of options for keen paddleboarders in Bath. The first is the Bath Paddleboard Centre. This company offers courses and taster sessions that are the ideal option for beginners, in various locations including Bathampton Mill in Bathampton and Saltford, which is in between Bath and Bristol.

If you’re staying at Larchmont Lodge, Herschel Place or another Bath Holiday Rentals property near the city centre, the Bathampton session is likely to be the closest one for you.

During these taster sessions, you’ll get an introduction to the equipment and a short but essential safety briefing. You’ll try out the basic paddling strokes, have a go at launching, paddling on knees and of course, build up to that all-important moment when you stand up on your board for the first time. It’s good fun, great value and the organisers aim to keep it simple and straightforward.

Bath Paddleboard Centre also offer tours and adventures, organising social paddles regularly throughout the year. These take place between March and October (this is peak paddling season) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, finishing up with refreshments at venues such as the Bath Boathouse or Bathampton Mill.

If you’re feeling confident and ready to strike out on your own, you can hire paddling equipment from Bath Paddleboard Centre too.

Original Wild

Another option for keen or keen-to-learn paddleboarders in Bath is Original Wild, a company offering everything from parties and taster sessions to private tours of Bath and Pulteney Bridge. You can organise a fun session for a birthday, stag or hen do or even corporate team building days, with an expert covering the basics before taking you out on the river.

Sessions with Original Wild run right in the centre of Bath, as well as over in Bathampton.

New to paddleboarding? Here’s what it’s all about

Stand up paddleboarding is a great outdoor activity no matter what your experience, ability or age. All you need is a little bit of balance and some instruction from an expert, and you’ll soon be hitting the water. This fast-growing sport combines elements of surfing and paddling, but is easy for beginners to pick up.

Crucially in a beautiful city like Bath, stand up paddleboarding allows you to relax and enjoy the scenery as you take part. Some people see it as a mode of transport, a laid-back way of getting from A to B and seeing cities like Bath from a whole new perspective.