St Mary's University Taster Sessions

Paddle Richmond are offering one hour taster paddleboard sessions on the Thames to St Mary's students this Freshers' Week.

You will receive a short safety briefing and then be taught how to launch your board and some basic paddle strokes before setting out on the river with one of our qualified coaches.

You will be paddling on a beautiful stretch of the Thames from The Anglers in Teddington riverside, and will paddle downstream towards Eel Pie Island before turning for home.

You will need to be able to swim and be confident in the water. A certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.

You'll be able to ask for technique advice and tips along the way. Don't be shy!

You do not need to be a proficient swimmer, but should be comfortable with falling into water while wearing a buoyancy aid.

A certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.

We will also need to know of any recent injuries prior to the session.

You will need to shower / wash thoroughly after the session if you have fallen in or been splashed, and need to ensure that any open cuts are covered.

Many thanks for your booking - we look forward to paddling with you!

Please arrive wearing the clothes you intend to paddle in as we have very limited space to get changed. 

We have a safe lockable storage space for your bags and valuables.

No specialist clothing is required, but no jeans or cotton please, as cotton gets very cold when wet. In warm weather, swimwear or ordinary quick drying gym gear will be fine (shorts/leggings/T-shirt/fleece). 

We usually paddle barefoot on these sessions, but you could wear water shoes, flip flops or old sandals / trainers if you'd prefer.

If it’s sunny please bring a hat and sun cream.

In colder weather (November - March), wearing a wetsuit is advisable. We have wetsuits available if requested in advance, or bring your own. Also, please bring extra layers, a towel and a change of clothes just in case you take a dip during the lesson.

You may also want to bring a small dry bag for spare waterproof/warm clothing, money, any medications you may need and your phone in a waterproof pouch. We have these for sale if you don't have one. If you are worried about losing sunglasses please use a sunglasses strap, or buy one from us for £5.

You will be using our paddleboard and paddle. Buoyancy aids are provided and are compulsory on all our sessions.

Your one-hour session will start with a safety briefing and some land-based training on our pontoon. This typically takes 10-15 minutes depending on group size.

We will then head out onto the river towards Eel Pie Island and turning for home.

*How far we go will depend on conditions on the day.