stand up paddleboard
(SUP) Lessons on the South Coast

Learn to paddleboard from the best

We offer the very best lessons and tours in West Sussex – right from Chichester Harbour to Bracklesham Bay, Hayling Island, and The Witterings. Whether you’re looking to master the basics or level up your SUP skills, our Private & Group SUP Classes and special-package lessons, such as tours and hen parties are tailored for total beginners and more advanced paddlers alike.

paddle board lessons

With lessons from £40.00, read on to learn more and book your lesson!

Mum and daughter join a family paddleboard lesson in west sussex with surfs sup watersports

group paddleboard lessons

Group paddleboarding lessons are a fun, affordable way to learn stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in a relaxed, social setting. You’ll join others at a similar level, following a structured programme designed to help everyone improve — whether you’re new to the sport or building on existing skills.

Our lessons are led by qualified instructors who adapt their coaching to the group. Even in mixed-level sessions, every paddler gets individual tips — whether it’s refining technique, improving balance, or boosting confidence on the board.

We usually run group SUP lessons at Chichester Canal, where we’re guaranteed flat water, clean conditions, and a safe learning environment. This sheltered location allows us to focus on progression without worrying about tides, wind or waves — making it ideal for beginners to advancing paddlers, hen parties and family groups along with nervous first time paddlers.

Private

The Private Lessons are for you and you only, so we can work on whatever you want.

Our private lessons are run to an exceptional standard, especially if you’re after really honing in on techniques. Ian Phillips is a “real waterman” and his paddle boarding experience has left no stone unturned, with a very detailed eye.

This session is blocked out so we paddle together and focus on you only.

You might be looking for a birthday gift for someone or just want to specifically focus on your own skills like step back turns or paddling faster and more skillfully.

private group

A Private Group is a session for you and your friends only.

It may be you’re buying a birthday gift for your partner, or you want a bunch of mates to paddle together without others.

If part way through the session, you want to paddle off together, then you can let us know and we will meet you back at the van when you’re done.

family fun

Family Lessons are perfect for you and the kids to get some quality time together and learn some safe new skills.

The Family Group booking allows upto 2 adults and their hildren, to either relax and play a few sup games or spend the time learning to paddle.

Kids love to splash and play, so we keep the whole session light hearted and fun, and go at your pace.

The session is for your family only, so nobody else can join your family group.

Read more about our family paddleboard lessons

kids lessons

The Kids Paddleboard Lessons are all about fun and learning at the same time.

Kids are totally at home with paddleboarding and it is so good for their fitness and general wellbeing.

The children, learn to enjoy and be safe around the water, whilst gaining the proper skills on a stand up paddle board.

We don’t have an exact age limit as it depends on the type of lesson, but we generally say age 10+ if with a family member.

Read more about our kids paddleboarding lessons

specialist lessons

Join us for great fun and the very best Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) lessons in West Sussex.

You might be looking to start from scratch or developing your paddle technique or even hitting open water. 

Man holding a jimmy lewis surf sup

Downwind paddleboarding

Downwind paddleboarding is the coming together of wind and swell, linking runs and reading the water.

We work this session in different ways depending on the sea state, tide and wind direction, so we may be running the boat alongside or paddling with you.

Either way, you’re going to start learning how to harness the power of the wind and bumps into your paddleboarding.

This session runs for small groups only and paddlers who are comfortable on their boards and on the water.

Learn more about our downwind paddleboard clinics

performance paddling

Our Performance Paddling sessions are focussed on improvement, technique and gains.

You’ve already got to a level of paddling that makes you feel confident, but your lacking that drive and power or ninja footwork to cope with rougher water, so this is where we step in.

  • Footwork
  • Body action
  • Stroke patterns

We’ll video and analyse your movements relative to your body structure and general mobility, working around any issues you may have to improve and build sustainable gains.

Aqua marina paddleboards

helpful information

Find out more about where we teach, useful tips and frequently asked questions about our wing surfing lessons and courses.

why choose our sup school?

  • Beginner to Advanced Coaching: From your first paddle to advanced techniques, we guide you every step.
  • Beautiful & Varied Locations: Learn in calm harbours, scenic bays, or mild surf spots depending on your level and goals.
  • Flexible Formats: We offer personal sessions, social groups, scenic tours, and fun special events like hen party packages .
  • All Ages Welcome: Group lessons and private instruction designed for paddlers of all ages and experience.

Locations & Conditions

Chichester Canal

The perfect flat water environment for our sup lessons, where can deliver beginner to advanced coaching sessions.

Chichester Harbour

Protected, flat-water environments – ideal for tours and more advanced paddling sessions.

Bracklesham Bay

Light chop, occasional waves and open water—great for intermediate paddlers, tours, and downwinders.

What we'll provide

  • Stand-Up Paddleboards: We have the latest inflatable paddle boards, that are stable and easy to use for total beginners.
  • Paddles: The paddles we use are lightweight and float in case you drop them in the water.
  • Buoyancy aids: For safety and peace of mind out on the water.
  • Wetsuits: Can be hired.
  • Professional Instructor: You will have an experienced instructor/s taking you out on the water to  have a fun paddle boarding lesson.

What you should bring

For most of you the requirements of what to wear and bring to a paddleboard lesson are pretty minimal. 

  • Swimwear: In the summer months some comfortable for water activities could be leggings, shorts, t-shirts or your own wetsuit.
  • Towels: To dry off after your session.
  • Sunscreen: To protect yourself from the sun.
  • Waterproof Phone Case: To capture those fun memories without worrying about your phone getting wet (optional).
  • Comfortable Clothing: For after your paddle boarding session, to relax and stay comfortable.

faqs

How long are our lessons?

Around 1.5 hours long for general paddleboard lessons

Get the best stand up paddleboard instruction in West Sussex.

With so many watersports schools to choose from, you need to make sure that your choice is based on the quality of instruction.  With more years than most under out belts, we’re proud to say that our lessons deliver exceptional results every time.

Are our Paddleboard lessons Suitable for all levels of fitness?

Absolutely! The stand up paddle board lessons we run are always set at a pace to suit those on the lesson and their level and skills.For a beginner, it is all about technique and not about going hard and fast, whilst our advancing and improver lessons, push on a bit more, but still at a pace that suits everyone.

Do we teach SUP all year round?

Spring to Autumn are our busiest times for teaching paddleboarding, but everything relates to the weather.  We run sessions in the winter, when you get those amazing days, that re chilly but just perfect to be outside.  Obviously it is important to have the right kit, be it wetsuits, boots, gloves and hood in the winter, but in the warmer months it is pretty relaxed.

If we can’t paddleboard due to weather, is it  possible to do something else?

We’ve often had to reschedule or even change the lessons to something like windsurfing or even winging, if the conditions have changed and the candidates are up for trying something new.  Whatever we do, it is worth it and the outcome is the same, great tuition and new skills for the customers.

Is it possible to go from beginner to capable paddler in a few lessons?

We’ve got no problem in stringing a few lessons together, for those who want to really progress, with some decent foundations.  We call this our Progression Sessions and we’ll oush harder each time you come, to make sure those skills are developing, but it really comes down to you and how hard you try.

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kids paddleboard lessons and family lessons
group paddleboard lessons in chichester and bracklesham bay
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