Paddleboarding and kayaking at Paddle Richmond
Paddle Richmond runs paddleboarding and kayaking lessons, guided river tours and Doggy Paddle sessions from the arches beside Richmond Bridge, on a safe and beautiful stretch of the River Thames. Just a short trip from Twickenham, Kingston, Kew and central London, the team welcomes complete beginners, improvers and experienced paddlers, with a second launch site at Teddington Lock. Away from the water, guided bike tours take in Richmond Park and the Thames towpath. It suits couples, friends, families with teenagers and corporate groups.
Richmond, Greater London
Ideal for groups
Beginner sessions available
Gift vouchers available
Paddleboarding with your dog
Doggy Paddle is a chance to enjoy the Thames with your four-legged friend. The team uses big, stable boards and paddles at half-tide from Richmond Bridge, upstream towards Eel Pie Island and Teddington, with the option to launch from a beach so everyone gets on safely. Your board, paddle and buoyancy aid are provided; just bring your own dog lifejacket.
Paddle Richmond
Richmond Bridge Arch,
1 Richmond Bridge Boathouses, Riverside,
Richmond-upon-Thames,
Greater London,
TW9 1TH
Paddle Richmond runs paddleboarding, kayaking and bike tours from Richmond Bridge in Richmond-upon-Thames, a short trip from Twickenham, Kingston and central London.
FAQs
Where is Paddle Richmond?
Paddle Richmond is based at Richmond Bridge Arch, 1 Richmond Bridge Boathouses, Riverside, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW9 1TH, in the arches under Richmond Bridge next to the boathouses. Richmond train station is about a 10-minute walk away, and Richmond is about 8 miles south-west of central London. Some paddleboarding sessions start from The Anglers pub at Teddington Lock instead.
Where can I go paddleboarding near Twickenham?
Paddle Richmond's base at Richmond Bridge is about 1 mile from Twickenham, and its lessons paddle upstream past Eel Pie Island towards Teddington. The Richmond 2hr Group SUP Experience suits complete beginners, and the Teddington 2hr Group SUP Experience launches from The Anglers at Teddington Lock.
Where can I go paddleboarding near Kingston upon Thames?
Paddle Richmond is about 3 miles from Kingston upon Thames. The Teddington 2hr Group SUP Experience starts from The Anglers at Teddington Lock and paddles either upstream towards Kingston or downstream towards Eel Pie Island and Richmond, with a fully qualified instructor on the water at all times.
Where can I go kayaking near London?
About 8 miles south-west of central London and a short walk from Richmond station, Paddle Richmond runs kayaking lessons on the Thames from Richmond Bridge. The Richmond Group Kayak Experience uses stable sit-on-top single and double kayaks and is open to complete beginners. For more ideas, see where to go kayaking and canoeing near London.
Do I need any experience to paddleboard or kayak with Paddle Richmond?
No. The group paddleboarding and kayaking lessons are open to complete beginners, improvers and experienced paddlers, and every session starts with a safety briefing and land-based training. A few sessions, such as Richmond Dawn Patrol, the board demo sessions and the Paddle Skills and River Safety Class, need previous paddling experience, and kayak hire is only for experienced kayakers.
Is it safe to paddle on the Thames at Richmond?
Yes. A fully qualified instructor is with you on the water at all times, and lessons run at half-tide, when there is almost no river flow at Richmond. Book a lesson with Paddle Richmond.
Are there age limits?
Children over 14 can join group paddleboarding lessons if a parent or legal guardian is on the water with them. On the Richmond Group Kayak Experience, children over 12 are welcome with a parent, but under 14s need to be in a double kayak. Younger children over 10 can usually be booked on a private lesson, and Doggy Paddle welcomes children over 10 with a parent. Bike tours and courses are for over 14s with a parent or guardian.
Can I paddleboard with my dog in Richmond?
Yes. Doggy Paddle sessions from Richmond Bridge use big, stable boards, and your board, paddle and buoyancy aid are provided. Please bring your own dog lifejacket, as Paddle Richmond doesn't have them. Experienced paddlers can also bring a dog on Richmond Dawn Patrol as a booking add-on.
What should I bring for a paddleboarding or kayaking session?
Boards, kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids are provided, and there's a safe storage area for your belongings. It's a good idea to bring:
- Quick-drying clothes or swimwear
- Old trainers or water shoes
- A change of clothes and a towel
- Suncream and a water bottle on warm days
Can I hire a bike in Richmond?
Yes. Pedal Richmond cycle hire offers mountain bikes and e-bikes from Richmond Bridge, so you can ride through Richmond Park, see the deer and follow the Thames towpath past Ham House at your own pace.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Booking online in advance is the easiest way to secure a place, especially at weekends and in school holidays. Session times are set around the tide, and some sessions need a minimum number of people to run.
Does Paddle Richmond offer team building events?
Yes. Corporate team building events include paddleboarding or kayaking on the Thames from Richmond Bridge or Teddington Lock, or a guided cycle around Richmond Park and the river, with options such as river games, an eco plastic pick or a drinks stop.