With over hundreds of miles of glorious coastline, long beaches and hidden coves, Devon has fast become one of the nation’s hotspots for stand-up paddle boarding! Rarely can you visit a beach without spotting small crowds of water enthusiasts pumping up their boards and heading for the waves. So, if you’re planning a staycation holiday in Devon this summer and you’re on the hunt for SUP schools or equipment hire, look no further… After chatting with our community online, we’ve gathered ten of the best SUP schools and equipment hire in Devon!
Croyde Surf Academy, Croyde
Directly overlooking the large sandy beach in Croyde, this academy will assist you in progressing to the next level of surfing and paddle boarding, from beginners to advanced levels. Offering lessons to anyone between the ages of 5 to 85, Croyde Surf Academy guarantee to have you standing up and riding in your first lesson, and if not, you get your second lesson for free! Introduction lessons cost £40 per person and are available on Wednesday and Sunday mornings at 10am, this is the ideal way to introduce you to the basic SUP technique and skills!
https://croydesurfacademy.com/courses/sup/
Bantham Surfing Academy, Bantham
Endorsed by Surfing GP, this centre of excellence in Bantham offers surf and SUP lessons and courses for all skill levels, from absolute beginner through to improvement and coaching for experienced surfers. Choose from group sessions, private lessons, and paddle board lessons for those looking for something a bit more tranquil. With ten years of experience, their surf coaches are the only ISA qualified coaches in South Devon and are sure to have you standing up and riding waves in no time!
Ninety minute lessons start at £45 per person, with money to be saved if you book more than one lesson, whilst private lessons start at £99 for one person, with extra people joining at reduced rates.
https://banthamsurfingacademy.co.uk/paddle-board/
Discovery Surf School, Bigbury on Sea
Teaching in South Devon since 2002, Discovery Surf School in Bigbury on Sea provide professional, quality coaching to small groups of all experiences. Praised as one of the best surf schools in the UK by Coast Magazine, this family run business is dedicated to delivering top quality surfing and paddleboard coaching. With an emphasis on having fun whilst staying safe, visitors here are guaranteed a brilliant experience with one on one lessons starting at £99 for ninety minutes, with the option to add another person for just £11. Lessons for families or groups of four start at £144 for two hours.
If you’re confident you don’t need a lesson, then no worries, just hire the kit and go paddling! Prices start at £20 for one hour, and lead up to £45 for the whole day.
https://discoverysurf.com/pages/paddle-board-hire
The North Devon Surf School, Westward Ho!
The North Devon Surf School is the highest rated surf school in the UK and have been teaching locals and visitors to ride the waves since 1988. With a purpose-built surfing centre just fifty metres from Westward Ho beach and the highest standard of coaching, equipment, and facilities, this family run school is a MUST for anyone looking to learn to surf or paddle board. For a full experience, visitors have access to winter wetsuits, heated changing rooms, toilets, hot showers, and a wood fired pizza café!
For SUP lessons, simply hit the link below to make an enquiry, you’ll be standing up and cruising in no time!
https://www.northdevonsurfschool.co.uk/booking-lessons.php
Walking On Waves, Saunton and Croyde
Walking on Waves offers surf and paddle board lessons to people of all ages and abilities, from first timers in a wetsuit, to all-seasons riders. Learn the basics, improve your riding or rebuild your foundational skills. With single lessons, extensive courses and SUP lessons available, it’s time to sign up before everything is booked this summer!
SUP lessons start from £100 per person with extra students only costing £30 each – this is the perfect chance to learn with an instructor by your side! Learn the basics and start your paddle board adventure.
https://walking-on-waves.com/saunton-sands/
Surf SUP Academy, Westward Ho!
Regardless of ability, age, shape or size, Surf SUP Academy in Westward Ho! will have the perfect package for you. Learn the basics of surfing and paddle boarding, or fine tune your technique on one of the best and most consistent surf beaches in the UK. Founders James and Rob have travelled the world surfing, picking up skills and ideas as they go, so students here are in for a whole world of experienced teaching!
Two hour SUP tours start at £85 for one person, with the price dropping with every person who chooses to join! So book your lesson, decide on a meeting spot with the team, and hit the water!
https://www.surfsupacademy.co.uk/stand-up-paddle-lessons/
Hunter Surf School, Woolacombe
The Surfing England qualified coaches at Hunter Surf will take students through the fundamentals of surfing whilst teaching you how to stay safe in the water. Based right on Woolacombe Beach, visitors have access to showers and changing facilities, with lockers and storage provided. SUP hire starts at £26 for one hour, running up to £60 for eight hours, any extra days cost £50 per day. For further enquiries, just pop in to their shop, the team will be happy to help!
https://www.huntersurf.com/surf-hire
Woolacombe Surf Centre, Woolacombe
Woolacombe Surf Centre is the highest rated and qualified surf school in the area and is accredited as a Centre of Excellence by Surfing England. Made up of qualified instructors and beach lifeguards, the team at Woolacombe Surf Centre have years of experience from all over the world and our bound to have you riding the waves in no time! SUP equipment hire starts at £30 for three hours, with the option to double up on your time and pay £55 for six hours.
https://www.woolacombesurfcentre.com/surf-sup-kayak-hire/
Adventure South, Salcombe
The team at Adventure South in Salcombe are proud to offer the best equipment hire and SUP tours in the region, with the opportunity to explore some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline and countryside with their River Avon and Salcombe tours. Choose to hire SUP equipment and take yourself off for a peaceful day of independent adventure on the water, with equipment hire starting at £60 per day. Or choose to join a group and head off on a group tour across different locations based on your experience and confidence, with prices starting at £40 per person, £140 for families, and £60 for tuition.
https://www.adventuresouth.co.uk/paddleboard-tour/
Wesup Torquay Marina, Torquay
SUP and coffee enthusiasts can find Wesup venues all over the Devon and Cornwall coastlines, with the brand expanding quickly over the last few years. And as one of their newer locations, the SUP school and café in Torquay is proving just as popular as expected, with families, tourists and individuals flocking to marina to try their hand at the fast-growing water sport.
The team at Wesup offer SUP lessons for beginners, to advanced paddlers, and offer the option of group lessons and private sessions. Private sessions start at £70 per person, whilst introductory group sessions start at £45 per person. If you’re confident enough to go without a lesson, then simply head down and hire their SUP equipment, with prices starting at £15 per person!
