To stand out on the streets, you need a skateboard. To impress on the slopes, get on a snowboard. And to ride the waves, only a surfboard will do. But what about still waters? How can you enjoy rivers, lakes and canals in style? The answer, of course, is on a paddleboard. Also known as SUP, for Stand Up Paddleboarding, this sport started as an offshoot of surfing on the waves in Hawaii, but it’s since found enormous popularity in all parts of the globe. This includes areas that don’t border the sea, like the county of Surrey in southeast England, because SUPs don’t need a wave to get them going. They’re propelled, as you might have guessed, by a paddle.

We’re using the borders of the historic county of Surrey as a guide here, which takes us from green countryside surroundings into Great London. In this way, our guide to paddleboarding combines urban SUP on the River Thames with fantastic sightseeing opportunities with peaceful paddling in nature. And we hope that it will allow us to get the word out to even more people, because this is one of the most accessible watersports out there. It doesn’t matter if you're afraid of getting your feet wet, if you’ve never held a paddle before, or simply if you don’t want to spend too much money, paddleboarding is your way to have a great time here.

Where are the best places to go paddleboarding in Surrey?

• Godalming: Our journey starts on the River Wey in the charming market town. The old buildings slip by as you paddle downstream and in just 10 minutes you’re out in nature, surrounded on all sides by fields, trees and birdsong, and in a couple of hours you can travel up to 5 miles along the river.

• Egham: For a historical SUP route, the Runnymede water meadows along the River Thames are perfect. It was here that the Magna Carta, the founding document of English parliamentary democracy, was signed in 1215. We don’t know King John chose this location for such a momentous occasion, but we can recommend that you choose it for a trip.

• Chertsey: The area of Thames Valley around Chertsey is a watery landscape, where lakes, canals and two tributaries - the Rivers Wey and Mole - form an amphibious maze around the town. Discovering these waterways on a SUP is the perfect way to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and focus on the journey, the surroundings, and the wildlife.

• Hampton Court Palace: This fantastic Tudor Palace, the favoured residence of Henry VIII, sits on the north bank of the Thames, facing the village of Thames Ditton. You can peek into the palace or its large park as you paddle along the river up to Mosely Loch, where you get the best views of the court. Or go and explore some of the islands that break up the river’s flow in this area.

• Kingston upon Thames: As the Thames winds its way into London, it passes another historical site. Even before the signing of the Magna Carter, Kingston was the location where Saxon Kings held their coronation ceremonies. You can feel the history in this part of the capital, as ancient buildings alternate with leafy banks along the length of the river.

• Richmond: This neighbourhood is surrounded on three sides by the Thames, and by Richmond Park on the fourth. This means that, although we’re well into London by now, you never feel too far from the open Surrey countryside when you go paddleboarding here.

Options for organising an experience

- Whether you’re looking for rest and relaxation, guided excursions or fun and games, you’ll find it on a paddleboard in Surrey. Is much more forgiving than a surfboard, which are hard to stand up on and harder to control. During your first experience with this sport, you can expect to stand up and get moving, using the long paddle to control the board. The best way to get into SUP is by taking a lesson. The school will give you all the equipment that you need and show you how to use it safely and efficiently so that you can get as much enjoyment out of the sport as possible from day one - and all of that in a session that usually lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours.

- Once you know what you’re doing on a SUP, you can find rental services throughout Surrey and take the board away for a couple of hours or a day to explore the places that interest you. But they are certain things that you’ll find difficult to do on your own. For things like this, there are tours. The route down the Thames from Hampton Court Palace to Richmond is beautiful and rewarding, but in order to complete it without battling against the tide, you should book onto a SUP tour. This route and other tours can last up to 3 or 4 hours.

- This activity isn’t always about the journey, it’s also about what the equipment allows you to do. There are some unique sessions, including yoga sessions on paddleboards, sunrise and sunset sessions, and even a litter picking river clean up activity where you can enjoy the sport and help the environment.

Requirements to do this activity

You’re never too young or too old to get into SUP! You can have your first experience right here whether you’re 9 or 90 years old. Simply sign up for a lesson and the instructor will make sure that everyone is using they’re equipment in a safe way, as well as having a good time. There are some activities that are reserved for experienced paddleboarders, such as longer tours along the River Thames, but when it comes to SUP; you can be considered experienced if you’ve tried once or twice before. But even if you know what you’re doing, you can always improve your technique, and real enthusiasts can find intermediate or improver’s coaching at various locations around the county.

Is that enough to convince you to try? If so, go for that booking button now!