Ready to ride

Whether you love to stand-up paddleboard (SUP) on calm summer days or you’re a year-round wave-hungry SUPer, it’s crucial that you know how to keep yourself safe on your SUP. At Surfing England, we’re proud to partner with BSUPA to ensure our SUP members are informed, responsible and careful water users.

New to SUP? Check out BSUPA’s Ready to Ride scheme if you fancy giving SUP a go.

The course is designed to help you get on the water safely, have fun and learn the technique of paddlesurfing, and you’ll come away with your Ready to Ride card!

Things to remember

It’s really important to be aware of the conditions you’re choosing to SUP in, and to consider:

– Fixed objects in your path

– Other water users and water craft

– Strong currents

– Water flow

– Depth, especially on inland waterways

– Rips

– Tides

– Wave height and power

– Water temperature

– Suitability of equipment

– Wind direction and strength

Safe at sea, and inland

Water safety is a complex issue, and conditions on the water can change super quickly. Conditions are also highly variable depending on whether you SUP on an inland waterway, or on the sea. BSUPA's 'BSUPA safe' campaign is designed to raise awareness about the possible dangers of SUP, and how to keep yourself safe when you're out on the water.

Always wear a buoyancy aid

A lifejacket could save your life! Remember, conditions on the water may change while you're out on your SUP. Wearing a buoyancy aid may seem like a hassle, but if you fall in the water wearing a lifejacket then you'll stay afloat much more easily. This gives you time to assess the situation, and get back on your SUP safely.

Always wear a leash

On flat and moving water, such as a river or canal, coiled leashes stop leash drag and reduce the chance of snags. A quick release belt will allow you to separate yourself from your board, if you get tangled with a buoy or another type of obstruction. If you’re taking your SUP into the surf, you’ll need a straight leash with an ankle or calf strap. This will keep the leash clear in the surf, and allow the SUP board to fall further from you in a wipeout.

beware of offshore winds

Offshore winds are winds that blow away from the land, and will quickly blow your SUP out to sea, making a paddle back to shore extremely tiring and difficult. To avoid being blown away, always: avoid offshore winds, check the forecast before you SUP, and wear a buoyancy aid!

Canal & River Trust - Waterways Licence

As a Surfing England SUP member, part of your membership fees go towards a Waterways Licence with the Canal & River Trust. This licence grants you access to paddleboard on any Waterways managed by the Trust. When paddling on these waterways, you must carry proof of your licence with you at all times – your digital SE SUP membership card is proof of your Waterways licence.

Please also take a few minutes to read through the following information from the Trust:

Waterway code for anglers and boaters – Canal & River Trust

Safety on our Waterways

It’s also a good idea to make sure there are no works or closures affecting a route you want to paddle on:

Notices and stoppages