Hi! These DIY 'Winter Paddle Practise' and Mince Pie Challenge sessions (for adults) at the beautiful Trifarm swimming lake in Boreham are designed to give you access to lake paddling for winter relaxation, exercise and/or training, using your own SUP board and all your own kit. The lake is water tested and has a life guard.

Please note that these sessions are not for beginners. To participate, you must be a competent stand up paddler, who can get back onto their SUP board unaided and have your BSUPA Level 1 'Ready to Ride' certificate, or equivalent. If you don't have this BSUPA Level 1 'Ready to Ride' certificate, but do have your own SUP board, and consider yourself competent to stand up paddle in these sessions, then please email us info@frangipanisup.com to discuss it before making your booking, thanks.

On the day our BSUPA qualified Instructors (in gold tops) will be on hand on and off the water to keep a safety eye on you as you use the lake. Safety information will be provided before you launch and Instructors will be happy to give you advice on paddling technique and kit etc., please just ask for it!

Free parking on the site included. Soup/hot/cold drinks and delicious home made cakes are usually available for purchase before/after the session at the Trifarm office cabin/cafe.

Cost for a Paddle Practise session is £18pp (or £16pp for HUB Members, please select your discount at checkout.)

Join our 2022 Mince Pie Challenge if you fancy, just record the number of kilometres you paddle at each Winter Paddle Practise session (26 Nov, 4 Dec and 10 Dec) and show us the evidence at the end of each paddle. We will keep a tally and on 10 Dec we will dish out mince pie prizes and other goodies to those with the most km paddled!

From a safety perspective there are quite a few important things to consider:

Please complete the waiver form and very important set of safety questions as part of this booking process.

Before you leave home, please cover any cuts & grazes with strong waterproof plasters.

The entire session will be conducted outdoors, so please dress warmly for activities both on and off the water.

There is a changing cabin and a port-a-loo.

Please watch out for uneven slippery ground and look out for vehicles/horses on the farm track. Please do not launch anywhere else other than at the flag. Please launch from and return to the flag on your knees and also paddle on your knees when you are within 2 board's length from the lake edges, which are shallow. Please do not leave kit lying around at the launch flag. Thank you.

You must have third party insurance for your own SUP board (you could join BSUPA to obtain insurance.)

You may bring spectators with you to watch you paddle and they can walk around the lake using the gravel footpath. Any spectator aged 17 years or younger must be supervised at all times by their parent or legal guardian whilst on the site and must be kept away from the lake edges. Sorry but a parent/legal guardian can not paddle themselves and leave their child unsupervised in the van/car or at the side of the lake. Dogs are welcome but must kept on their leads at all times.

Please read the safety page on our website for more information.

Over 18 years old. Able to swim 25m clothed. BUSPA Ready to Ride certificate or equivalent. Own SUP board with 3rd party insurance.

Please bring your SUP board, paddle, fin, coiled leash and all related SUP kit.

Please wear water sports clothing appropriate for the weather and air/water temperature conditions (such a winter wetsuit/drysuit), plus a well fitting Personal Buoyancy Aid* (PBA) and paddling shoes/boots.*

*These are mandatory, thanks.

Arrive on site from 9am. Park at the top level (not lakeside). Sign in by Portacabin office. Get kit and self ready. On water from 9:30am.