I’d booked a 2-hour learn to stand up paddle board session which I can say hand on heart I would highly recommend for anyone interested in getting started with SUP.
From the idyllic setting to the highly quality coaching I cannot fault the experience.
The session started with a brief introduction to the instructor Sam and a run through of the prerequisite safety briefing and run through the equipment. This was well paced, informative and delivered with efficiency and clarity that avoided this feeling overwhelming.
We were quickly on the water and riding the boards whilst kneeling. Despite it being a group session there was plenty of scope to progress at our own pace which was comforting. Sam moved seamlessly between group and individual coaching and provided useful prompts and tips that struck a good balance between ensuring you understood the theory and had space to turn this into practice. I think everyone managed to stand up at some point and most of us managed to fall in too which was met with good humour and encouragement.
The water was a lovely colour and clean when I fell in and the astro turf banking made it easy to get out without clambering up a muddy bank.
When we were all done there was time for a group stretch and then we headed to the wooden changing shacks. These were clean and well kept.
I stopped for some cake and a drink which I was able to pay with on card - always useful. The cake was lovely and a drink was lovely on a particularly hot day.
All in all, I would highly recommend SUP at Ocean Walker and will certainly be returning.