The British seaside is mythical: sandcastles, donkey rides, fish and chips, rubber rings, the list of classic attractions goes on and on. That’s why it’s such a shame that most coastal towns in the UK that used to team with tourists every summer have lost out to Mediterranean resorts with the growth of the package holiday industry. But there’s one part of the country which is bucking that trend - Essex. Southend-on-Sea in particular, far from struggling, is thriving with record numbers of tourists coming to enjoy the pier, beaches and other landmarks and other places in the county are doing well too. Part of this wave of popularity could be down to SUP, or Stand Up Paddleboarding, the fastest growing watersport in the country which thousands of people like you are enjoying in Essex every year.

Paddleboarding has the perfect tradeoff ease of use, value for money and the enjoyment factor. The board is like a big surfboard, designed for buoyancy and stability, which you can easily stand up on while using a paddle to get around. They’re best used on calm water and the beaches of this area, as well as rivers, estuaries and lakes, have just that.

Where are the best places to do SUP in Essex?

• Southend-on-Sea: The world’s longest pier is this city’s trademark, and you can see it from a different angle by paddling the 1.3 mile length from the beach. Neighbouring Leigh-on-Sea is also a great place to do it, setting off from Chalkwell Beach you can explore the coast of Two Tree Island on the edge of the Thames estuary. On the other side of the city, Thorpe Bay is another popular location, while further inland, the River Crouch offers this activity with the current.

• Chelmsford: The River Chelmley flows through the county town of Essex, giving it its name. You can enjoy paddling on this waterway, especially a couple of miles out of town at Paper Mill Lock, where narrow boats come and go, and trees along the shore lean over the water to give you shade on a summer’s day.

• Maldon: This town is on the estuary of the River Blackwater, a protected nature reserve which is a haven for wildlife. You’ll see several different species of water birds enjoying the water so this is a perfect destination for this sport enthusiasts with a passion for nature. At the mouth of the estuary is Mersea Island where you can paddle peacefully with views out to the North Sea.

• Dedham: Not far from Colchester, Dedham village sits on the River Stour, which is the border with Suffolk. This is a favourite spot among local SUP enthusiasts, because you can easily reach a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Harwich: The famous Mayflower left from Harwich on its voyage to North America carrying the Pilgrim Fathers. You can start your own voyage of discovery here too, but the best place is on a lake, separated from the sea by the beach. With no waves or currents, this is the perfect place to take your first paddles.

• Clacton-on-Sea: There’s another lake that’s ideal for paddleboarding in St Osyth, a short distance from Clacton-on-Sea. Set in a rolling green landscape, this is a tranquil spot to build up some confidence on a paddleboard before exploring rougher coastal waters.

• Frinton-on-Sea: The beach huts which line the promenade of Frinton-on-Sea give it a nostalgic feel, while out to sea you can glimpse the remains of Gunfleet Lighthouse. The town’s beach is a mile long, about the right length for a trip.

Options for organising an experience

- When you get bored of lying on the beach trying to get a suntan, there’s nothing like a SUP experience to change up the rhythm. You can find SUP lessons, lasting between 1 and 3 hours, around Essex, where a passionate instructor will show you how to get the most out of this sport. Lakes are a great place to have your paddleboarding baptism because they have calm waters, but you can also have your first taste in the sea or on a river. If you get the bug for paddleboarding, and you wouldn’t be the first person to fall in love with it, you can also take courses to master it's art. You’ll learn the skills that are necessary to take a paddleboard onto the water in all kinds of conditions, and you can even become an instructor yourself.

- Once you know what you’re doing, it can be the best way to have fun with your friends, or go exploring. There are places to rent SUP equipment around Essex - rivers, lakes, beaches and estuaries - and you get your hands on one for anything from an hour to full day to enjoy the local area.

- For something a bit different, go on a super adventure with your friends - on a Super SUP. This is a jumbo-sized paddleboard that 4 or more people can climb aboard and, each armed with a paddle, have a wild ride off Southend Beach. Or if you’re looking for something more tranquil, try a SUP yoga class to develop your fitness and find inner calm.

Requirements to do this activity

All kinds of people can enjoy paddleboarding, otherwise it wouldn't be so popular! You don’t need any experience to make it work, as the equipment is tolerant and the technique is intuitive. You don’t even need to be a great swimmer - being confident in the water is a bonus, but it’s easy to get back on the board if you fall (or jump) into the water. On top of that, you have a lead that connects you to the board so there’s no danger of losing it. The age at which you can be baptised into this lifestyle varies around this region. It depends on the equipment that’s available because standard paddleboards and their paddles can be too big for children to handle. About 11 years old is a typical age that SUP becomes an option.

If you want to stand out from the crowds of beach goers in Southend, you can’t do better than getting your mates onto a super SUP. They can hold up to 10 people, and are the perfect way to enjoy the water, doing some cool dives and splashing around in the waves.

The only way is this sport! Try it for yourself by making a booking today.