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Learn to stand-up paddleboard on a calm, non-tidal stretch of the River Thames with a private, 1.5-hour group lesson. Perfect for beginners who want guided instruction, riverside views of Hampton Court Palace, and a relaxed way to explore the Thames.
Learn to stand-up paddleboard on a calm, non-tidal stretch of the River Thames with a private, 1.5-hour group lesson. Perfect for beginners who want guided instruction, riverside views of Hampton Court Palace, and a relaxed way to explore the Thames.
Book with Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club · Thames Ditton, England
On a calm, non-tidal bend of the River Thames in Thames Ditton, just upriver from Hampton Court Palace, your first strokes on a paddleboard feel like unlocking a new way to read the river. Dittons Paddle Boarding runs the Private Group Beginner Session (min 2 people), a 1.5-hour taster that fits families, friends, and colleagues into a hands-on introduction to stand-up paddleboarding. Launch from The Albany (Queens Road, Thames Ditton KT7 0QY) and learn core skills—safety briefing, land demonstration, launches, paddling, turning, stopping, and returning to shore—under a Paddle UK qualified coach. The lesson unfolds along a sheltered, slow-moving reach where willow-lined banks, riverside meadows and classic Thames boathouses frame views of Hampton Court Palace and the low-lying islands of Thames Ditton. Because this is a non-tidal stretch, conditions are predictable for beginners: minimal current, shallow edges for wading, and long sightlines that make practicing self-rescue and balance straightforward. Coaches bring top-quality gear—rigid and inflatable boards, paddles, buoyancy aids, quick-release waist leashes, waterproof phone cases and glasses retainers—so you can focus on technique and photos. What sets this session apart is the private-group format and local know-how. With groups capped at six, the instructor tailors progress to the group’s pace: you can choose to practise standing, try self-rescue drills, or simply sit and glide while spotting kingfishers, grey herons and grebes. The compact launch point behind The Albany pub provides free parking, basic changing, and a village-pub atmosphere for debriefing afterward—often with a well-earned drink. Practical details matter: arrive 15 minutes early if using provided boards, earlier to inflate personal equipment. Participants must be at least 12 years old and able to swim 20m; Under-18s require a guardian on the water. Bookings include equipment and qualified instruction; wetsuits and water shoes are not provided. If you need a different time, email [email protected] or call/message 07547917643 to arrange a slot. Members can claim a 10% discount with the DPB Club code. Sessions come with top-quality kit included—paddle, buoyancy aid, quick-release waist leash, waterproof phone case and retainer straps—and the option to bring and use your own board (arrive early to inflate). Free parking is available; toilets and basic changing are accessible during pub opening hours. Refunds and cancellations: please email [email protected] for policies. Whether you’re planning a celebration, corporate bonding, or a quiet afternoon learning a new skill, this private, local-guided paddle session makes the Thames approachable and genuinely fun for beginners.
moderate.
1.5 hours.
Light to moderate fitness: you should be able to stand, balance, and swim 20m; expect short bursts of paddling and moderate core engagement.
Participants must be at least 12 years old. Under-18s must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian.
Yes, participants must be able to swim 20m to join the session for safety reasons.
Top-quality boards, paddles, buoyancy aids, quick-release waist leashes, waterproof phone cases and glasses retainers are included.
Yes. Free parking is available at The Albany. Basic changing and storage are available; toilets are open during pub hours.
Yes—bring your own board but arrive early to inflate it. Contact [email protected] or message 07547917643 if you need instructor help with setup.
For cancellations or to change your booking, please email [email protected]. Specific refund policies are provided on booking confirmation.
Hampton Court Palace sits nearby and dates to the early 16th century; the river here has been a transport and leisure corridor for centuries.
Keep to designated channels, avoid disturbing nesting birds, and carry out rubbish; low-impact, guided sessions help protect fragile riverbanks and private moorings.
Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club runs paddle boarding sessions, socials, hires and multi-day trips across the River Thames, River Medway and local canals. The club offers 1.5-hour Beginner and Improver sessions by Hampton Court designed for newcomers and developing paddlers; the Beginner Session explicitly includes launching, paddling and self-rescue instruction from a qualified coach. Participants may bring their own board or use hire equipment where available. Social paddles meet regularly in Thames Ditton (launching from The Albany Pub), Kingston and Weybridge with two-hour evening routes and a Sunday afternoon peer social for competent paddlers. The club also organises themed and charity events — including the Pink Paddle on the Basingstoke Canal supporting Cancer Research UK, a Halloween Paddle and Party, and a Santa SUP in Guildford. Multi-day and specialist trips include the River Medway Weekend with camping options and several canal and river safaris (for example River Brent & Grand Union Canal, Stort Navigation, and the Limehouse Loop including the Olympic Park). Paddleboard hire is available near Hampton Court Palace with flexible rental durations and opportunities to explore islands, beaches and waterside pubs. Safety and community are central: sessions teach rescue techniques and turning strokes, socials encourage shared routes and group decision-making, and weekend trips combine camping with guided paddling. All descriptions are factual representations of the club’s published sessions, events and hire offerings.
Book with Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club