Discover a fun way to hone your paddle boarding skills on the Thames near Hampton Court. Perfect for beginners, this tailored session boosts confidence while soaking in stunning scenery.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels, especially beginners
Wildlife
History
The Thames River has long been a vital waterway for trade and travel, with Hampton Court Palace serving as a historic royal residence since the 16th century.
Conservation
Dittons Paddle Boarding encourages eco-friendly practices and maintains a low-impact presence on the river to help preserve local wildlife and water quality.
Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club
Discover a fun way to hone your paddle boarding skills on the Thames near Hampton Court. Perfect for beginners, this tailored session boosts confidence while soaking in stunning scenery.
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
Get familiar with the equipment and meet your instructor before the session starts.
Wear appropriate clothing
Dress in quick-drying clothes and bring a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.
Check water conditions
Ensure water levels and weather are suitable for safe paddle boarding.
Stay hydrated
Bring water with you to stay energized during the session.
Personal Water Bottle
Stay hydrated during your paddle boarding session.
Swimsuit or quick-drying clothing
Comfortable clothing that can get wet, ideal for water activities.
summer
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Protect yourself from the sun during outdoor water fun.
summer
Waterproof dry bag
Keep valuables dry during your paddle session.