Paddleboarding on Chichester Canal – A great way to learn paddleboarding in a safe environment
Chichester Canal offers a serene, sheltered stretch of water, ideal for newcomers to paddleboarding and families seeking a peaceful outdoor experience. With bath-smooth, wind-protected conditions, it’s the perfect setting for mastering SUP basics before heading out to busier open water or coastal areas such as Chichester Harbour.
Why Chichester Canal Works Beautifully for SUP Lessons
- Calm, sheltered environment: Framed by leafy banks and shady trees, the canal delivers a tranquil, wind-free surface that’s perfect for learning balance and technique.
- Expert coaching available: Surfs SUP Watersports’ head coach Ian Phillips brings over a decade of experience teaching on the canal. His philosophy focuses on helping paddlers “slow things down,” build core skills, and gain confidence before transitioning to more dynamic settings like the harbour or open sea.
Lessons, Clinics & Guided Adventures
Surfs SUP offers a range of paddleboard lessons, from beginner courses to guided tours around Chichester Harbour and beyond. These are designed to fit all ability levels, whether you’re trying SUP for the first time or sharpening your existing technique.
A Rich Slice of Canal Heritage
What is known today as the Chichester Canal is in fact part of the former Portsmouth & Arundel Canal. This was opened in 1823 and consisted of a 12-mile canal from Ford on the River Arun to Salterns and a shorter cut from Langstone Harbour to Portsmouth Harbour, connected together by a 13-mile dredged ‘bargeway’ through the natural harbours and channels between them. Intended as a key link in a through route to London via the River Arun Navigation, Wey & Arun Junction Canal, River Wey and River Thames, it was not a success. By the time it was built, there was no real need for an inland route as larger and better ships, coupled with an end to hostilities with France, meant that the coastal route was an easier and cheaper option. One of the few regular through cargoes carried was gold bullion from Portsmouth to the Bank of England, with armed guards on the barges. This would come in from Chichester Harbour and be drawn along the canal by barge.Wildlife & Visitor Etiquette
Navigating the natural surroundings of Chichester Canal comes with responsibilities:
- Respect wildlife: The tranquil banks host swans and other nesting birds — keep a respectful distance and avoid paddling too close to them.
- Protect habitat: Dogs should remain on wakes and be discouraged from entering the water to reduce disturbance to wildlife.
Safety First: Rules and Best Practices
Chichester Ship Canal Trust permits canoeing and SUP, but strictly forbids swimming — no formal monitoring, signage, or risk management is in place. Canoeists and SUP users participate entirely at their own risk.
Recent guidance from SUP enthusiasts reinforces best practices:
- Buoyancy aids.
- Public liability insurance is recommended.
- Boards must be cleaned before and after use to prevent introduction of non-native aquatic species.
- Give way to canal boats by moving to the side and kneeling down.
Seasonality & Access
While paddleboarding on Chichester Canal is open all year, the peak season is between April and October, when conditions tend to be warmer and more inviting.
