Paddle boarding has become one of Yorkshire’s most popular watersports, and there are plenty of places across the county where you can give it a go.
From city-centre paddles in Leeds and Sheffield to coastal SUP sessions in Scarborough, Yorkshire offers some of the best paddle boarding opportunities in the North of England. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking for your next adventure on the water, these are some of the best places to go paddle boarding across Yorkshire.
Quick picks: Where to go paddle boarding in Yorkshire
- Best for beginners – Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre
- Best for scenic surroundings – Lost Earth Adventures
- Best for families and groups – North Yorkshire Water Park
- Best for coastal paddling – Dexters Surf School
- Best for experienced paddlers – Allerthorpe Lakeland Park
West Yorkshire
Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre
Credit: Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre
Set on the shores of Yeadon Tarn, Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre is one of Yorkshire’s leading watersports venues. An approved Paddle UK provider, the centre offers a range of sessions designed to help beginners build confidence on the water, alongside more advanced courses for anyone looking to improve their skills.
The two-hour taster session includes all the equipment and safety gear you’ll need, while regular classes, junior sessions and family-friendly facilities make it a popular choice for paddlers of all ages. Away from the water, visitors can enjoy the tarn’s nature reserve, playground and waterside café, making it easy to turn a paddle boarding session into a full day out.
Where? Leeds Sailing & Activity Centre, Yeadon Tarn, Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS19 7UR.
How much? Taster sessions start from £35 per person, and junior taster sessions start from £30.
Best for: Beginners and families.
Find out more: active.leeds.gov.uk
Leeds Dock SUP School
Credit: Gary Butterfield
You don’t have to leave the city behind to try your hand at paddle boarding in Yorkshire. Leeds Dock SUP School offers regular sessions on the water beside the Royal Armouries, giving paddlers the chance to see Leeds from a whole new angle.
Run by qualified British Canoeing instructors, the sessions cater for everyone from complete beginners to more experienced paddlers looking to improve their technique. Alongside coach-led paddles and family sessions, the team also organises community clean-up events to help care for Leeds’ waterways, making this one of the county’s most unique paddle boarding experiences.
Where? Leeds Dock, Armouries Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LT.
How much? Introductory and coach-led sessions start from £20 per person (£10 if bringing your own board). Family sessions start from £10 per board.
Best for: City-centre paddling.
Find out more: facebook.com/groups/leedsdockpaddleboardingsup
North Yorkshire
Lost Earth Adventures
Credit: Lost Earth Adventures
Hidden away in Nidderdale near Pateley Bridge, Eavestone Lake is one of Yorkshire’s most scenic places to try paddle boarding. Surrounded by woodland, striking rock formations and peaceful waters, the lake offers a real sense of escape while providing a safe and sheltered environment for paddlers of all abilities.
Lost Earth Adventures runs instructor-led sessions for beginners, families, couples and groups, with all equipment provided and plenty of encouragement for first-timers. The experience can also be combined with canoeing, raft building or a stay at the nearby Yurtshire glamping site, making it perfect if you’re looking to turn your paddle boarding session into a unique Yorkshire getaway.
Where? Paddle boarding takes place at Eavestone Lake, Ripon, North Yorkshire.
How much? Half-day sessions start from £65 per person.
Best for: Scenic surroundings.
Find out more: lostearthadventures.co.uk
SUP Active Yorkshire
Based at Ellerton Lake in North Yorkshire, SUP Active Yorkshire offers the chance to explore paddle boarding in many different forms. Alongside beginner-friendly lessons, the team runs SUP Yoga, river trips, expeditions, fitness sessions and even SUP Polo, making it one of the county’s most varied paddle boarding providers.
Introductory sessions take around two and a half hours, covering everything from safety and launching to paddling while kneeling and standing. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can progress to guided river adventures along the River Ure, passing Newby Hall and spotting wildlife along the way. SUP Active Yorkshire also offers adaptive paddle boarding sessions and has been awarded an AALA licence, allowing it to host under-18 groups in a safe and supportive environment.
Where? SUP Active Yorkshire, Ellerton Park, Ellerton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, DL10 6AP.
How much? Introductory sessions start from £42 per adult, SUP Yoga starts from £35 per adult, and evening river and canal paddles start from £25 per adult.
Best for: Variety and progression.
Find out more: supactiveyorkshire.com
North Yorkshire Water Park
With a huge watersports lake, giant paddle boards and activities for all ages, North Yorkshire Water Park is one of the most versatile places to SUP in Yorkshire. Beginners are welcome, with boards, paddles, life jackets and helmets all provided, while qualified instructors are on hand to help build confidence on the board.
Alongside standard SUP hire and instructor-led sessions, the park offers giant paddle boards that can fit up to eight people – ideal for families, friends and team-building. More experienced paddlers can bring their own board with a day permit, while anyone looking to develop their skills can take part in the BSUPA Level 1 Ready to Ride course, which covers paddling techniques, self-rescue and water safety.
Where? North Yorkshire Water Park, Long Causeway Road, Wykeham, North Yorkshire, YO13 9QU.
How much? SUP hire starts from £17 per person, or £22 per person with instruction. Giant SUP hire starts from £40 for up to four people.
Best for: Families and groups.
Find out more: northyorkshirewaterpark.co.uk
Dexters Surf School
Want to try paddle boarding in the sea? Head to Scarborough’s popular North Bay, where you’ll find Dexters Surf School, whose beginner-friendly SUP lessons are taught in small groups, allowing instructors to focus on each paddler’s individual needs and help build confidence on the water.
Lessons last 90 minutes and cover everything from board control and paddling techniques to self-rescue skills and water safety. All equipment is provided, including boards, wetsuits and safety gear, and there are family sessions and private lessons if you’re after a more personalised experience. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can hire out a SUP and explore the bay at your own pace.
Where? Dexters Surf School, Kepwick House, North Bay Promenade, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO12 7TN.
How much? Lessons start from £40 per person, with private and family sessions also available.
Best for: Coastal paddling.
Find out more: dexterssurfshop.com
East Yorkshire
Allerthorpe Lakeland Park
Credit: Shout Marketing
If you’re already comfortable on a paddle board and fancy getting out on the water without booking a lesson, Allerthorpe Lakeland Park is a great option. Set within 53 acres of lakes and woodland near Pocklington, the park offers paddle board hire on its main lake, so you can jump on and get going without having to go through the basics.
Both standard and giant SUPs are available to hire, with life jackets and helmets included. Sessions last 55 minutes, making them easy to fit into a wider day out, whether you’re combining your visit with a lakeside walk, other watersports activities or simply relaxing in the great outdoors.
Where? Allerthorpe Lakeland Park, Melbourne Road, Pocklington, York, North Yorkshire, YO42 4RL.
How much? £18 for a 55-minute session or £10 for a session with a large SUP.
Best for: Confident paddlers and outdoor days out.
Find out more: allerthorpelakelandpark.co.uk
South Yorkshire
DC Outdoors
Credit: DC Outdoors
If you’re looking to build your confidence on a paddle board, DC Outdoors offers a range of SUP experiences at locations across South Yorkshire and the Peak District. Their beginner-friendly taster sessions at Ulley Reservoir provide a relaxed introduction to the sport, covering everything from board control and balance to standing up and paddling independently.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can progress to the Discover SUP day course, which explores more advanced techniques, stroke efficiency and self-rescue skills, with the option to earn a British Canoeing Discover Award. The team also runs special events at locations including Sheffield’s Victoria Quays and Ladybower Reservoir, offering the chance to paddle in some truly memorable settings.
Where? Ulley Reservoir, Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
How much? Taster sessions start from £50 per person.
Best for: Developing your skills.
Find out more: dcoutdoors.co.uk
