12th July 2021
The popularity of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has exploded over the last few years and the Wye Valley is the perfect location for a paddleboard adventure. SUP is a really fun outdoor activity, great for all ages and fitness levels and allows you to explore an amazing part of the world at the same time. Whether it’s your first time and you just want to give it a go, or you’re a group or family wanting to enjoy an experience together on your summer holidays, we’ll help you get up and paddling in no time.
What to expect
No matter your experience, our instructors will first help you get a feel for the paddleboard. You’ll learn to balance on your knees until you’re comfortable enough to pop up to your feet. You might make a splash along the journey, but luckily during the summer the water is nice and warm (ish) and very refreshing on a hot day. In fact jumping in is often the first thing on some kids minds! As you get more confident, we’ll paddle up and down the river and play some games to test your balance. A two-hour session is plenty of time to see what SUP has to offer and allows you to hone those paddleboarding skills and get lots of photos of your adventure.
Starting on the outskirts of Monmouth you’ll see the winding River Wye unveil itself in front of you as you paddle along. Journeying down the river, you won’t know where to look as one breathtaking view leads into another. You may also be lucky enough to spot some of the local wildlife, with kingfishers and cormorants, swans and geese on the water, buzzards circling above and maybe even an otter along the riverbank. The summer is the perfect time to get out on the water with clear skies, warm weather and a cool breeze. Make sure you put on your sunscreen though and take full advantage of the refreshing water by jumping in but leave the flip-flops in the car unless you want to watch them float down the Wye!
Exploring the Wye Valley
The footpaths that line the River Wye make it easy to watch family and friends as they cruise down the river if you don’t want to take part yourself. These paths also make for some amazing walks, a great activity if you have the energy left after your session. We’re sure that you’ll build up an appetite and luckily the banks of the river have ample opportunities to stop and have a picnic surrounded by the stunning landscape. Our launch point has plenty of free parking and is right alongside the Wye so you don’t have to go far for picnic spots and stunning views. Alternatively, nearby Monmouth, a historic Welsh town, is full of great cafés and restaurants and is in walking distance of where we launch our paddleboards. You could even make a day of it and head to the castle, see the ancient 13th century bridge and pop into the museum or explore the many shops. It’s also a great place to pick up groceries if you’re staying locally.
Summer SUP adventures
Stand-up paddleboarding is quickly becoming one of the most popular watersports in the UK, and hopefully you’ll see why once you’ve given it a try. It’s easy to learn, equipment is less cumbersome than canoeing or kayaking, and it can either be relaxing and calming or adventurous and adrenaline-filled depending on how you approach it. Paddling the river will test your stability and endurance, you’ll spend quality time with friends and family and all while allowing you to take in the spectacular scenery of the Wye Valley. Lots of families and groups have already booked with us and are looking forward to joining us out on the River Wye this summer. We have SUP sessions available every day over the summer holidays and can take groups of up to 20. We also have a mega-SUP which can be used by up to 8 people at once, more buoyant and tons of fun to try together. If you’d like to join us on an adventure in the Wye Valley, give paddleboarding a go this summer. You can check the availability of our daily group trips here or get in contact to book a private session.
Looking for more adventure?
We have a range of combination activity days for those who don’t want the fun to stop! A half-day of stand-up paddleboarding on the River Wye is easily combined with a half-day of rock climbing at Symonds Yat or a guided kayaking trip. Both are perfect introductory watersports for those looking to see the valley from the water, take in the scenery and have a splash about with friends.
