Our SUP Locations:
The SHAC Lagoon at Buckland
Taking central position at Buckland Park near Reigate is the SHAC lagoon, a shallow stretch of water that is ideal for beginners and perfect for watersports training. This idyllic spot is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle, only 15 miles from London with a pretty beach formed from the natural, local sandy banks. Whether you bring your own board or hire from us, we know you’ll love your Buckland Adventures. For more info on what types of sessions we do, please Click here.
Dapdune Wharf at Guildford
In 2021 we are opening The SHACs new SUP Centre at Dapdune Wharf in the Heart of Guildford. Come and learn how to paddle board at our new riverside venue on the River Wey, this year we will be running SUP Intro sessions, guided river trips and events. For more info on what types of sessions we do, please Click here. Group bookings for schools and other youth organisations are all possible in this historic location.
SHAC River Safaris
The River Wey Navigations are under the management and protection of the National Trust. In partnership with the Trust, the SHAC are the official SUP providers on the Navigations, The SHAC are fully insured with qualified and experienced instructors and coaches to help you start your journey into the amazing and versatile world of Stand Up Paddleboarding.
Our SUP sessions explained
- SUP Intro
- SUP Freeride
- SUP Taster session
- Family and Friends Intro Session
- SUP Progression Session
- SUP 1 to 1 Sessions
Our Introduction to SUP session is the gateway to SUP with The SHAC and is a pre-requisite for taking part in our Freeride sessions & River Safaris. The session, for aged 16 and over, is designed for complete novices and for those who have been on a SUP before but have had no or minimal instruction. An Introduction to SUP is a sixty minute session in which you will learn how to fall off and get back onto a paddleboard safely (yes you will get wet!) and be given instruction and guidance in a relaxed and fun environment. Our friendly team of SUP instructors will give you the core skills needed to get you started on a SUP. We are confident that by the end of the session you will be able to manoeuvre the board to a standard where SUP can be a lot of fun. For those who have been on a SUP before we will challenge your skills to improve your technique. On completion of an Introduction to SUP session you are then eligible to come & hire a SUP during our Freeride sessions or try a River Safari. Introduction to SUP sessions are scheduled regularly at weekends and throughout school holidays at The SHAC Lagoon at Buckland and at Dapdune Wharf (the canal side National Trust site in central Guildford)
A Freeride session is a session for those that have completed an Introduction to SUP session with The SHAC, have their own board to launch, or can present a BSUPA Ready to Ride certificate or equivalent. During a Freeride you can hire a board by the hour for a leisurely paddle, hone your skills, or lazily float about and take in the beautiful scenery of the Buckland Park Lake that surrounds you. Freeride sessions are not instructed but our team are on hand to keep you safe & answer any questions you might have. Our regular Freeride sessions at Buckland are on Sunday afternoons & Thursday evenings from April – November, when our Winter schedule takes over. Please note:
- Every freeride paddler must be checked in with a band
- Every SUPer Must attend SUP intro/friends and family session and complete self rescue before getting access to the big lake at Buckland (or demonstrate to us that you have gained the skills by attending a similar equivalent course). Even those with own boards.
- Personal Floating Devicess/buoyancy aids must be used on ALL under 16’s
- Any under 16’s going onto the big lake at Buckland must be accompanied by an adult both of which must have done intro and self rescue.
- Only one person per board at all times
If you fancy trying Stand up Paddle boarding or want to do something as a family during the school holidays then our 45 minute SUP Taster sessions are perfect for you. We offer taster sessions at Dapdune Wharf (canal-side National Trust site in central Guildford) and at the SHAC Lagoon in Buckland. Our instructors are there to get you started, help you set sail & give the opportunity to see if you enjoy SUP. The SUP Taster session is suitable for age 12 and above. Taster sessions are available at Dapdune wharf regularly at weekends from May – September and at both venues on Bank Holidays & during school holidays.
For family and friend groups, you can book private sessions with an instructor to yourself. These sessions can be run as an introduction session so you can move onto booking Freeride sessions or can be set up to meet your specific requirements, if you have paddled before we can work on more advanced skills or just have some fun and play some games, the choice is yours, simply tell us what you want when you arrive for your session with the SHAC. Our default course outine is as per the popular Introduction to SUP session. No age limit as long as all participants are water-confident and can comfortably swim a minimum of 25m.
This course has been developed for paddlers that have completed the SHACs SUP introduction session or equivalent but would like to revisit the fundamentals and increase their skill level further.
For those who prefer to learn outside of a group session The SHAC team are happy to offer private Introduction to SUP sessions in the form of 1:2:1 sessions, couples sessions or family sessions, which can include children as long as all participants are water-confident and can comfortably swim a minimum of 25m. Private sessions are available at Buckland and Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. Please contact us for more details or to book your private session.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) with the SHAC
SUP has quickly become one of the most popular water sports in the UK. In recent years it has grown into several disciplines which means there is a form of SUP for everyone: touring, racing events, River Safaris, SUP Yoga and fishing; to name a few. At The SHAC we have SUP enthusiasts in all disciplines from the peaceful yoga students to the SUP race team. We strongly believe that SUP can be enjoyed by anyone. Our SUP locations in the Surrey Hills provide the opportunity to engage with nature on the water, enjoy spotting wildlife, have fun splashing around with friends and improving fitness.
To find out more about the health benefits click here. For more information on what to wear on a paddleboard, click here. Our instructors and coaches have a wealth of experience in Stand Up Paddle boarding and can work with absolute beginners through to seasoned paddleboarders looking to gain further skills and advantages. Come and join us to see how you will enjoy SUP.
Our Smallprint:
- Our SUP sessions are suitable for adults and children aged 16 & above (except in Family and Friends sessions where there is no minimum age limit, and Taster sessions where the age limit is 12 years, so long as they are water confident and can swim 25m)
- Children must be accompanied on the water at all times by a responsible adult
- Wetsuits aren’t essential during the warmer months but are available to hire on the day
- Every freeride paddler must be checked in with a band
- Every SUPer Must attend SUP intro/friends and family session and complete self rescue before getting access to the big lake at Buckland (or demonstrate to us that you have gained the skills by attending a similar equivalent course). Even those with own boards.
- Personal Floating Devicess/buoyancy aids must be used on ALL under 16’s
- Any under 16’s going onto the big lake at Buckland must be accompanied by an adult both of which must have done intro and self rescue.
- Only one person per board at all times
The SHAC can offer a wealth of advice on buying SUP Boards & Equipment – contact us
The Health Benefits of SUP
SUP is a low impact exercise and can therefore benefit those who are recovering from an injury as it offers a great cardiovascular and muscular workout whilst relieving joint pressure. SUP will also help to build up your balance. Not only will this mean you can apply this new skill to other sports and activities, you will strengthen your core helping you to maintain a better posture in general.
SUP is cross training as you are using almost every muscle in the body, simultaneously strengthening your muscles as well as aerobic training. The great thing about SUP is that it can be as intense or as relaxing as you want it to be, but for those looking to push themselves to the limit, that can absolutely be achieved. The cardio workout from SUP helps to burn calories, encourage weight loss and reduces your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But the even better news is that the benefits of SUP are not limited to the body. The relaxation associated with SUP is a great form of stress release. AS we are aware stress can have many negative effects on the body but when you are out on the water, paddling in a calm environment, all of your troubles may disappear.
