1.5 Hours • Ages 12+ • Up to 6 people! • For people new to Paddle Boarding!
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.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Light to moderate fitness: you should be able to stand, balance, and swim 20m; expect short bursts of paddling and moderate core engagement.
Wildlife
History
Hampton Court Palace sits nearby and dates to the early 16th century; the river here has been a transport and leisure corridor for centuries.
Conservation
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
1.5 Hours • Ages 12+ • Up to 6 people! • For people new to Paddle Boarding!
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.
Rivers Covered
Thames & Medway
Paddles across local waterways
Session Types
Beginner & Improver
1.5‑hour coached sessions
Social Paddles
4 regular socials
Evening and Sunday meetups
Special Events
Pink, Halloween, Santa
Charity and festive paddles
Reserve beginner coaching, improver training, paddleboard hire or a spot on a weekend trip — spaces fill fast for themed and seasonal events.
Arrive Early to Prep
If you’re bringing an inflatable board arrive early to inflate and rig your kit so the session can start on time.
Bring a Dry Bag
Keep phones and keys secure—waterproof cases are provided but a dry bag for spare clothes is useful after the session.
Wear Secure Footwear
Water shoes with good grip protect feet when entering and exiting shallow river edges.
Respect Private Moorings
Stay in the designated practice area and avoid private boathouses and moorings along the bank.
Wetsuit or Drysuit
Keeps you warm during cooler months and after unexpected swims.
spring
Water Shoes
Protects feet on slippery riverbanks and provides grip when launching and landing.
summer
Change of Clothes & Towel
Quickly get dry and comfortable after the session, especially if you plan to visit the pub.
Suncream & Hat
Protects from sun exposure on open stretches of the river during warmer months.
summer