Wales boasts almost a thousand miles of stunning coastline. Though it shares a land border with England, this just makes up a fraction of the frontiers of the country. Rivers run from mountain lakes to meet the sea, mountains fall abruptly to the shoreline and cliffs rise up above the breaking waves around this stunning part of the British Isles. Offshore, there are islands, reefs and lighthouses, as well as natural habitats for marine wildlife. All of this makes Wales a breathtaking destination for SUP, or Stand UP Paddleboarding.

If you haven’t heard of it before, don’t worry - neither had we until a few years ago! It’s the fastest growing watersport around, attracting newcomers because it’s easy to learn and enjoy, adaptable to all kinds of people and places, and a great way of getting around on the water. This is a wonderful place to learn how to use a paddleboard, enjoy the stunning scenery, or go on a real aquatic adventure. Keep reading to find out why!

Where are the best places to go paddleboarding in Wales?

• South: This is the most populous part of the country, and you don’t need to go far to find some fantastic SUP spots. We’ll start with what separates Wales from England, literally, the Wye Valley. The River Wye cuts a winding gorge towards the Severn Estuary and is famous in both countries for its beauty. Further into is the Llandegfedd Reservoir, with calm waters and vibrant green surroundings, and a little to the North are the rugged peaks of the Brecon Beacons, where lakes sit in the folds of the mountainous terrain. You can even paddleboard in the capital city, in Cardiff Bay, or at nearby Barry Island. Swansea, Wales’ second city, also offers great locations for SUP, especially around Oxwich on the beautiful Gower Peninsula, or inland along the Neath Canal. And South coast surf capital Porthcawl has paddleboards as well as surfboards.

• Southwest: The counties of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire have coastlines to the North and South, and inland waterways too. Around the towns of Saundersfoot and Tenby you can discover some fantastic coastal secrets on a SUP voyage, including Barafundle Bay and the Monkstone headland. Leaving the shore behind, you can go paddleboarding down the River Cresswell or Teifi, or the channels of the Milford Haven Waterway. The North Pembrokeshire coast around the towns of St David’s and Fishguard is a true beauty spot, where the rugged cliffs and rocks inspired the sport of coasteering. A popular place for it is the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, a flooded quarry at the water’s edge. Travelling North, you find the wide expanse of Cardigan Bay, where there are opportunities at Aberystwyth and Borth.

• Northwest: This is a far flung and wild corner of the country, where Snowdonia National Park boasts the highest mountains in the UK outside Scotland. Cool, clear lakes lie below the peaks, with Bala Lake and Llyn Padarn being particularly good for SUP. On the coast, Barnham sits at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary where great views - and the possibility of a boost from the tide - make for excellent paddleboarding. So does the Llyn Peninsula, jutting out into the ocean further up the coast in a series of bays and headlands. Around the North coast, Rhyl and Colwyn bay are popular locations for a paddle.

• Anglesey: Rising out of the waters off the tip of North Wales, Anglesey is an island that boasts 360º of stunning coastline. Some of the best places to explore on a paddleboard are the beaches and coves of Rhosneigr, the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn, and the Menai Strait which separate Anglesey from the rest of Wales.

• Central: There are numerous SUP experiences in Wales that don’t depend on the sea. The River Dee is an old favourite for kayakers and canoers, and is gaining popularity among enthusiasts of this activity too. There are calm stretches for a pleasant paddle, and some rougher stretches where you can try your luck at white water. There’s also the strange sight of the Llangollen Canal crossing the river by bridge. This canal is also a reliable place, and the views, including those down to the Dee, are spectacular. Right in the middle of the country is the Llyn Clywedog Reservoir, a haven for water birds, and a guaranteed treat.

Options for organising an experience

- Part of the popularity of paddleboarding is thanks to the intuitive way that you control them. From a standing position you use a long paddle to make broad strokes through the water to go forward and change direction. We recommend that you take a lesson to get some expert instruction, as well as some tips on how to get the most out of the experience and how to deal with more challenging conditions. A typical length for a lesson would be between 1 and 2 hours. It's also a great idea to go on an organised tour. With so much to see here you can’t just rely on luck to find the best views; a local guide will be able to take you straight to them and you might see more than you expected on a 2 to 3 hour tour. But you can always find places to hire a SUP as well and do things at your own pace, especially if you’re already confident on the activity. Rentals are usually arranged by the hour.

- In spite of their name, paddleboards don’t just have to be for paddling - there are other activities that you can use them for. Finding a peaceful point in the middle of a lake and taking part in a yoga session is a wellness experience like no other, which lets your troubles float away. At the other end of the scale, you can take a white knuckle, white water ride on a SUP on a river. And this sport is only in its infancy - watch this space for more innovative experiences!

Requirements to do this activity

Some water sports like surfing or sailing can be pretty intimidating - it seems like you need to be experienced and in great shape to get involved. That’s not the case with this sport! You can learn the basics in no time, and use the equipment to travel around the coasts and on the lakes and rivers of Wales without breaking a sweat (depending on the weather). With the right equipment, even children as young as 6 can get involved, but, as most equipment is quite large, a more common minimum age is 8 or 10 years old, and it can be higher in certain locations or for certain tours that might involve travelling longer distances. Adults of all shapes, sizes and abilities will find that this sport is a breath of fresh air when it comes to water activities, and we’re sure that your first experience won’t be the last.

So what are you waiting for? Reserve a walk-on-water experience with us today!