Paddle boarding is an exciting water sport activity that has been surging in popularity in recent years, and the West Midlands has numerous stunning locations that offer some of the best paddleboarding experiences available for people of all ages, whether beginners or experienced.
Also known as ‘stand up paddle boarding’ (SUP), paddle boarding is a popular water sport activity that involves standing on a board and using a paddle to navigate through the water. You can stand or kneel on the board and use your arms to propel yourself forward with a paddle.
The popularity of paddle boarding is down to its ease of learning, safety, and inclusivity, as well as being an exciting and adventurous activity offering a full-body workout.
The sport has been around since ancient times, but it’s since the early 2000s that the popularity of the sport skyrocketed, and since has seen millions of people take up the sport all over the world.
So if you’re wondering where are the best places in the West Midlands to paddle board near me, this post covers the 8 most epic spots.
Scroll on to read: 8 Epic Places to Go Paddle Boarding Near Me in the West Midlands, UK
Table of Contents
Map: Places to Paddle Board Near Me
What to Wear Paddleboarding Checklist:
Here’s a checklist of what to wear paddleboarding in the West Midlands:
- A pair of water shoes (you’ll be getting your feet wet)
- A suitable wet suit (keeps you warm and dry as well as protects from grazes or sunburn)
- A microfiber towel (lightweight and dries super fast)
- A dry bag (to keep your belongings dry)
8 Epic Places to Go Paddle Boarding Near Me in the West Midlands, UK
The best locations for paddle boarding near me
1. Paddle Boarding in Staffordshire: Pier 52 at Chasewater Country Park
Pier 52 Chasewater is a friendly watersports venue located at the 270-acre Chasewater Reservoir in Burntwood, that offers stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to the public.
Constructed in the late 18th Century, Chasewater Reservoir supplies and maintains the water levels of the important trading routes that forms the Birmingham Canal Network.
Pier 52 has both experienced and novice paddlers covered, and their expert instructors will help you progress at a pace that is suitable for you.
The cost of stand-up paddleboarding at Pier 52 Chasewater is £10 for 2 hours, though if you wish to share the board with others during the 2 hours, each additional person will cost £5.
It is worth noting that due to the SSSI status of Chasewater, every SUP board must be cleaned with fresh water and dried before being launched at Pier 52.
Aside from stand-up paddleboarding, Pier 52 Chasewater is also a great place to enjoy other water sports in an inclusive and relaxed atmosphere. What’s more, Chasewater is a lovely place for a walk, with a park, a large pond with swans and ducks, an information center, a cafe, and a railway.
2. Paddle Boarding on the River Severn: Hire a Canoe, Shrewsbury
The River Severn is a superb place for experienced paddlers, offering a challenging and scenic journey along one of the longest rivers in the UK.
Paddle boarding at Hire a Canoe Shrewsbury is an exciting and fun-filled activity providing an opportunity for visitors to admire the beautiful countryside and explore the picturesque River Severn in Shropshire.
At Hire a Canoe, visitors can hire a stand-up paddle board for £24 per person, including all necessary equipment. You can also take instructor-led paddle board lessons at £36 per person.
Want something longer? opt for the 12-mile trip instead – you’ll be picked up from Frankwell in Shrewsbury and driven to Montford Bridge. From there you’ll paddle downstream back into Shrewsbury town. For £96, you can combine a 12-mile paddleboarding session with an overnight camping stay at a riverbank campsite.
The company also provides three different sizes of paddle boards to suit people of all ages as well as wetsuits free of charge. Participants must bring their own waterproof footwear, or a pair of shoes they don’t mind getting wet.
Hire A Canoe has rave reviews with previous visitors describing the experience as “nothing was too much trouble and everything was well organized and prepared”. The review also highly recommends paddle boarding and states that “there’s no feeling quite like paddle boarding”.
3. Paddle Boarding at Sutton Park: Sutton Sailing Club
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is offered at Sutton Sailing Club, located at Powells Pool in the sprawling 2,400 acre Sutton Park National Nature Reserve, on the edge of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.
The club specializes in stand-up paddleboarding and dinghying and has a friendly atmosphere. If you’re interested in trying stand up paddleboarding, you can bring your own board, or hire one from the club for a small fee.
SUP and sailing membership prices can be found on the club’s website as well as on this membership fees PDF.
4. Paddleboarding in Whitchurch: Alderford Lake
One of the most stunning places to go paddleboarding in the Midlands is at the 14-acre Alderford Lake near the historic town of Whitchurch, close to the border with Wales.
Paddleboarding at Alderford Lake is perfect for water adventurers, whether you’re a wild-water swimming fanatic, boating enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun day out with your family. SUP, Kayak, and Canoe hire are available at Alderford Lake, the perfect spot for both complete novices and experienced pros.
Visitors can bring their own paddle boarding equipment onto the lake or hire out equipment, which is available for hire every weekend between April-September, and during the week throughout the school term holidays.
The All-Day Self Launch pass costs just £8 per adult and £6.15 for children aged 13-17 years. Paddleboard rental prices start from £20 per person. All paddle boarding passes come with full-day lake admission, allowing you to explore the lake’s surroundings after your paddle-boarding session is complete.
5. Paddle boarding in Birmingham: Edgbaston Watersports
A beautiful, 70-acre site of open water surrounded by wood and grasslands, Edgbaston Reservoir is home to Edgbaston Watersports, Birmingham’s premier water sports venue offering a broad range of activities including boat-touring, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, and of course paddle boarding. The center is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
In addition, Edgbaston Watersports stands out for its specialist courses that cater to all levels of ability and works with schools, colleges, universities, youth organizations, and adult and junior groups. The company values quality, safety, learning, fun, and adventure, with a focus on individual needs and developing self-esteem, confidence, teamwork, and social awareness, as well as an appreciation for the natural environment.
Equipment is available for hire on an hourly basis and includes wetsuits, spray tops, and buoyancy aids, however they advise visitors to bring their own towels, swimsuits and suitable footwear.
Sail Birmingham runs programs like the ‘Monday Night Paddle Club’ between 5-6pm on Mondays, which anyone over 16 can book a paddle boarding session for a reduced rate of £10, though if you turn up with your own equipment you can just pay a reduced access charge of £5.
6. Paddle boarding in Ironbridge: Shropshire Raft Tours
One of the unique aspects of Shropshire Raft Tours in Shropshire is that they offer Mega Paddle Boards that can 5 to 8 people, making it the perfect choice for families, groups of friends, or school day trips.
The route for the paddle boarding is 8.5 miles long and is along the River Severn, which is one of the longest and most scenic rivers in England. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery and explore the beauty of the River Severn.
The route starts upriver and finishes in Ironbridge, offering participants between 3-4 hours of paddle surfing.
7. Paddle Boarding in Walsall: Aldridge SUP School
Aldridge SUP School provides numerous water activities on a scenic, 14-acre lake known by the locals as ’The Swag’ and is a wonderful place for those keen to learn paddle boarding or join a friendly paddle boarding club. The school offers a wide range of services to choose from, whether it’s taking lessons, renting paddle boards, or joining the club.
They have flexible opening hours, with sessions available on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays. The school is located next to the Aldridge Sailing Club.
If you’re a newbie to standup paddle boarding, Aldridge SUP is a great choice as it offers both individual and group lessons, and runs an active paddle boarding club. All equipment is provided, including the board, inflatable paddle, and buoyancy aid.
If you’re more experienced and just want to get out onto the water, you can pay a £15 launch fee for the day or become a member for the year for £90 with unlimited visits. Becoming. a member has its benefits as you also get a 20% discount off every paddleboard hire and you can enjoy paddle boarding whenever you like.
8. Paddle Boarding in Dudley: Dudley Water Ski Wakeboard & SUP Club
Dudley Water Ski, Wakeboard & SUP Club is a friendly and approachable place for water sports enthusiasts, including those who are just starting out in paddle boarding.
The club is located at the 14-acre Netherton Reservoir, also known as Lodge Farm Reservoir or simply the ‘Rezza’, in Dudley. It was originally opened in 1838, and the reservoir has now become a haven for watersports activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, inflatable rides, and of course paddleboarding in the West Midlands – all of which are on offer at Dudley Water Ski, Wakeboard & SUP Club.
Other Places to go Paddleboarding Near Me
- Tame Valley Canal, Walsall:
The Tame Valley Canal offers a picturesque setting that provides a peaceful and serene environment for paddlers to enjoy the beauty of nature and wildlife while exploring the canal on their boards.
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal: The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is a peaceful and scenic place to go paddle boarding, with a variety of wildlife to observe along the way.
Worcester Birmingham Canal: With its basin in the center of Birmingham, is said to be a great spot for paddleboarding with many shops and restaurants to explore when you’re off the water.
Local Paddle Boarding Near Me:
The following are links to useful resources and organizations providing a range of paddle boarding services, tours, SUP lessons, rentals and more, in the West Midlands region:
Wrap up: Best Places to go Paddle Boarding West Midlands
So that’s it – the most epic places to go paddle boarding in the West Midlands. Paddle boarding is a fun, exciting, and exhilarating water sport that many people enjoy and offers many health benefits.
Where to Stay in the West Midlands:
- Birmingham: Stylish City Centre Apartment (one bed apartment) – Exceptional 9.7
- Birmingham: Wansley Manor BnB (5-star hotel with terrace & garden) – Exceptional 10
- Coventry: Middle House (double room with en-suite) – Superb 9.3
- Coventry: Stonebury Lodge (studio) – Superb 9.4
- Wolverhampton: Boutique Garden Lodge (Studio with garden view ) – Superb 9.2
- Dudley: Mike & Carolyn Ball B&B (One bed apartment) – Superb 9.2
- Solihull: Avery Mews (Entire apartment) – Superb 9.1
- Walsall: Blenheim Way (2-bed apartment) – Exceptional 9.6
General Information about the West Midlands
- Area: 902km squared
- Weather: 6C (winter), 21C (summer)
- Population: 2.9 million (2nd in UK)
- Founded: 1974 (as a metropolitan county)
- International Airport: Birmingham International Airport (BHX)
- Famous Residents: Lenny Henry, Harry Styles, Ozzy Osbourne, Felicity Jones, J.R.R Tolkien
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Paddleboarding Near Me FAQs:
Here are the 8 best places you can go paddle boarding in the midlands:
- Paddle boarding in Staffordshire: Pier 52 at Chasewater Country Park
- Paddle Boarding on the River Severn: Hire A Canoe, Shrewsbury
- Paddleboarding in Sutton Coldfield: Sutton Sailing Club
- Paddle boarding in Whitchurch: Alderford Lake
- Paddle boarding in Birmingham: Edgbaston Watersports
- Paddle boarding in Ironbridge: Shropshire Raft Tours
- Paddle Boarding in Walsall: Aldridge SUP School
- Paddle Boarding in Dudley: Dudley Water Ski Wakeboard & SUP Club
Yes, you are allowed to paddle board anywhere, provided you have the proper permissions and licenses where required. Paddle boarding can be done on any body of water, including rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, canals, and more. Although weather conditions can affect your trip, paddle boards are also used in whitewater locations, icy ravines, and indoor pools. It is important to keep safety, etiquette, and the environment in mind when paddle boarding.
There are several great places for paddleboarding in Birmingham. One recommended location is the Worcester Birmingham Canal and its basin in the center of Birmingham, which is said to be a great spot for paddleboarding with many shops and restaurants to explore when you’re off the water. Other great recommendations include Sutton Park, Edgbaston Watersports, and the Chelmarsh Reservoir in the Midlands.
Yes, you do need a license to use a paddleboard on a river. The use of a paddleboard or any other portable, unpowered craft on the majority of inland waterways requires a license that can be obtained from the relevant authority. If you would like to go stand-up paddleboarding on your own, you can look into short-term licenses offered by the Canal and River Trust. Their 30-day license can be used on 30 different days throughout the year.
Yes, you will need a permit to paddle board on rivers and canals in England and Wales. A waterway licence is required to paddle board on the majority of managed rivers and canals in England and Wales. Not all waterways in the UK require a licence, but if you are paddleboarding in England or Wales, you are likely to cross waters that require a permit. When you purchase an On The Water British Canoeing membership, you receive a waterways licence, which covers stand-up paddleboards and allows you to paddle on almost all of the waterways covered by the licence, apart from a few exceptions like the Cromford Canal and Bridgewater Canal, which do not allow stand up paddleboards on their section.
Tidal rivers do not require a licence. Almost all waterways in England and Wales require a waterway licence.
Paddle boarding shoes are not a requirement but they can provide comfort and protection for your feet. There are different types of shoes that can be worn for paddle boarding, including water shoes, neoprene boots or sandals, wetsuit boots, and aqua water shoes. Water shoes or neoprene boots or sandals are recommended for warm weather and warm water (70°F).
Whether you need insurance for paddleboarding depends on several factors such as the type of activity you’ll be doing, where you’ll be doing it, and the equipment you’ll be using. Some activities, like recreational paddleboarding, may not require insurance, while others, such as commercial paddleboarding or paddleboarding in a rental capacity, may require liability insurance to protect against damages or injury to others.
Yes, you can paddle board without a wetsuit. If you’re paddle boarding in warm weather, you can wear a comfortable, water-resistant layer of clothing, such as a bathing suit and a short-sleeve rash guard, instead of a wetsuit. Additionally, if you’re not paddle boarding in water below 10°C (50°F), you don’t necessarily need to wear a wetsuit, as long as you don’t plan on getting wet.
There are several places you can go paddleboarding in the East Midlands. Some of the more popular spots include:
- Gaia Stand-up Paddleboarding
- Matthew Ball Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Northampton Sailing Club Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Adventure 4 You Adrenaline Extreme Tours
- The basin in Birmingham
- Chelmarsh Reservoir
West Midlands Travel Guides
For more in-depth reading about the West Midlands region, you can get your hands on a copy of these bestsellers below:
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Further Reading: West Midlands posts
