St Lawrence School 09.06 and 16.06

Standup Paddleboarding with Ana · Tonbridge

A 2-Hour School SUP Adventure on the River Medway

2 Hours Total Tonbridge, Kent All Abilities

Welcome

Skills + Games + Fun

SESSION GOALS

Water safety awareness &

confidence

Core SUP skills: balance,

paddle, steer

Teamwork, communication

& trust

River ecology &

environmental respect

Loads of laughter & lasting

memories

2-HOUR SESSION PL AN

0:00

15 min PHASE 1 — ARRIVAL & WARM-UP

Meet Ana & Wake Up Those Bodies!

Hit the ground running with an energetic welcome. Get

everyone moving, giggling, and ready for the water.

15 minAna introductions — names, background, hype!

Ice-breaker: "Two truths one lie" about water sports

Dynamic warm-up on land — jumping jacks, arm

circles, squats, lunges, core balance stands

Balance challenge: who can stand on one leg the

longest? (preview of what's to come!)

Ana tip: Get them laughing early — it melts nerves and

gets kids open to trying new things!

0:15

15 min

PHASE 2 — SAFETY BRIEFING

Stay Safe, Stay Smart

Non-negotiable but kept fun, interactive, and memorable. Kids

teach each other back key rules.

15 minBuoyancy aids — fitting correctly, why we wear them

(always!)

Leash demo — ankle leash attaches you to your board

The Golden Rules: fall AWAY from board, curl &

protect head, get back on from the side

Hand signals on water: thumbs up = all good, arm

wave = need help

River awareness: current, other watercraft, stay in

group

Quick quiz game: Ana shouts scenario, kids shout

back correct answer

Make falling in fun: "falling off is a badge of honour —

everyone does it!"

0:30

30 min

30 min

PHASE 3 — CORE SKILLS ON WATER

Kneel → Stand → Paddle → Steer

Progressively build confidence. Start kneeling, earn your stand!

Each skill unlocks the next level.

Level 1 — Kneeling paddle: find your balance,

forward stroke basics

Level 2 — Standing up: feet wide, bend knees,

gaze forward (not down!)

Level 3 — Forward paddling: blade fully

submerged, pull past hip, swap sides

Level 4 — Turning: sweep strokes, back paddle,

pivot turns

Level 5 — Stopping & braking: drag paddle, back

stroke

Practice falling safely & climbing back on board

confidently

Buddy system — each kid has a partner to cheer them on.

Celebrate EVERY stand, however wobbly!

1:00

30 min

PHASE 4 — GAMES & CHALLENGES

Play Time!

Reinforce skills through pure fun. All games designed so less

confident paddlers shine too.

30 minSUP Red Light

Green Light

— Ana calls, paddlers

start/stop/freeze on boards

Paddle

Polo

— Teams pass a ball using paddle ends,

goal through cones (kneeling allowed!)

Wake

Surfing

— Ana creates small waves, kids try

to balance through them

Relay

Race

— Teams paddle to buoy, grab object,

race back; swap and repeat

Tandem

Tow

— One kid paddles while towing a

partner on a board, then swap

Mix ability groups so confident kids mentor wobbly ones

— incredible for confidence on both sides!

1:30

15 min

15 min

PHASE 5 — GRAND CHALLENGE

The Big SUP Obstacle Course!

The grand finale — everyone attempts the full course. Cheering

squad on boards. Every finish is a win!Weave through 5 buoy gates whilst standing

Balance station: stop, turn 360°, continue

Timed sprint to finish buoy

Optional: "Stunt finish" — jump, star pose, or silly

dance at the end!

Whole group medals celebration on the water

Ana awards creative titles: "Most Fearless Faller",

"Smoothest Stroke", "Best Finish Dance" — everyone

wins something!

1:45

10 min

PHASE 6 — COOL DOWN ON BOARDS

Float, Breathe & Explore

A magical wind-down. Boards in a circle, paddles across each

other — everyone connected on the water.

10 min

Gentle guided paddle along the riverbank — spot

wildlife!

Ana shares: river ecology, what lives here, why we

protect it

Boards in a raft circle — guided breathing &

mindfulness moment

Kids share their favourite moment of the session1:55

5 min PHASE 7 — BACK ON LAND: DEBRIEF

Celebrate & Reflect

End on a HIGH. Reinforce confidence, celebrate courage, and

send kids home buzzing.

5 min

Equipment pack-down — kids help rinse and store

boards (responsibility!)

"One word to describe today" circle round

Ana's shout-outs — specific moments of bravery &

effort called out

Group photo on the boards on land

What's next? Info about joining local SUP club or next

session

KIT & SAFETY

Ana supplies

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ SUP boards (one per child) plus river licences

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Paddles (sized for kids)

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Buoyancy aids / PFDs

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Leashes for all boards

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ First aid kit with Ana

children to bring

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Swimwear or quick-dry

clothes or wetsuit

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Towel & change of clothes

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Sunscreen (applied before!)

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Water bottle — stay

hydrated

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Trainers or water shoes

Bring drink and snacks for children

Bring wetsuits if cold weather and change of clothes/towel .

We will head out to river for a gentle paddle , while practicing different techniques then towards the end children will play some games before heading out so they don’t get too cold .