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Paddle 10km along the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, then refuel with a booked pub lunch at The Malt Shovel. This half-day SUP safari from Cowley combines calm flatwater, wildlife watching, and practical paddle practice for confident paddlers.
Paddle 10km along the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, then refuel with a booked pub lunch at The Malt Shovel. This half-day SUP safari from Cowley combines calm flatwater, wildlife watching, and practical paddle practice for confident paddlers.
Book with Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club · Thames Ditton, England
Gliding along the quieter shoulder of the Grand Union Canal, the Uxbridge Safari launches from The Malt Shovel at Cowley for a 10‑kilometre stand-up paddleboarding loop that pairs calm water with a proper English pub lunch. This is the Slough Arm — a five‑mile, largely lock‑free branch that threads through pockets of countryside and light industry and functions as a surprisingly rich wildlife corridor just west of London. Hosted by Dittons Paddle Boarding, the trip begins at The Malt Shovel car park (Iver Lane, Cowley, Uxbridge, UB8 2JE — W3W: lonely.salt.smart). After a brief kit-up and safety chat, paddlers pump boards and portage Cowley Lock before heading south. The group covers roughly 45 minutes each way, the exact distance set by the party’s pace; the advertised plan is a roundtrip of about 10km. This outing is built for confident paddlers: participants should be able to self‑rescue and sustain a steady pace for the distance, and under‑18s must attend with a guardian. The scene alternates between straightwater canal views, reedlined margins, and occasional industrial backdrops—an honest slice of the Thames Valley’s working waterways. Expect to spot kingfishers flitting along sheltered channels, herons standing motionless at the bank, and dabbling ducks and coots making the canal a lively ribbon of birdlife. The Slough Arm’s lock‑free stretches mean long, uninterrupted lines for practicing turns and reading currents, while Cowley Lock offers a simple portage that’s a good teaching moment for balance and board handling. After paddling, the club regroup at a reserved table in The Malt Shovel (booked for 13:30) to swap stories over a pub lunch— a social finish that makes this more than a workout. Equipment hire (board, paddle, QR leash & buoyancy aid) is available but must be booked in advance by emailing [email protected]. Participants are responsible for assessing their own competence and safety; Dittons Paddle Boarding sets the meeting logistics only. This trip is an ideal half‑day escape for paddlers based in nearby towns or Londoners after a morning on the water. It’s special here because the canal feels unexpectedly rural and wildlife‑rich so close to urban edges, offering calm flatwater, accessible technique practice, and a genuine local pub culture to round the day. Practical details: arrive by 10:00 to pump and prep; launch around 10:30; expect 2.5+ hours on the schedule; bring weather‑appropriate layers, water, and a readiness to self‑rescue if conditions demand. The group is capped at 16 paddlers, and while launch access is straightforward, wear grippy shoes for the short portages and secure valuables in dry bags. Parking at The Malt Shovel car park is available; check with the host for current arrangements. For cancellations or questions, email [email protected] before your trip. Pack sunscreen and a spare top.
moderate.
2.5+ hours.
Able to paddle 10km with good balance; moderate endurance and core stability required
Minimum age is 14; under‑18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Equipment hire is available but must be booked in advance by emailing [email protected].
Meet at The Malt Shovel car park, Iver Lane, Cowley, Uxbridge, UB8 2JE (W3W: lonely.salt.smart) at 10:00.
You should be able to paddle 10km and perform a self‑rescue; moderate fitness and balance are required.
Parking is available at The Malt Shovel car park; confirm current arrangements with the host if needed.
Please email [email protected] for cancellations or questions about the session.
This stretch is part of the Grand Union Canal network, a long-established inland waterway linking London with regional trade routes.
The Slough Arm acts as a wildlife corridor; keep noise low, avoid disturbing bankside vegetation, and pack out all waste.
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