Leave everything on the bank
for a day.
A full day on a quiet stretch of the River Avon at Defford. We start with mindfulness on the bank, spend two hours on the water with SUP yoga and an optional wild swim, then warm up in the hot showers and finish with lunch from Revill's Farm Shop next door. There are ten places, and James and Alex are with the group all day.
You do not need to have paddled or meditated before. Most of our retreat guests are new to one or both. We teach the paddleboarding on the bank first, and the mindfulness practices are short and practical.
James leads the mindfulness. He trained to teach Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, and the practices on the day come from that training, adapted for the river. Alex leads the SUP yoga and the swim, and is famous for making wobbly feel safe.
Lunch on the bank.
The best-reviewed paddleboard school
in Worcestershire.
These reviews mean more to us than we can easily say. We read them on the hard days, and they remind us why we do this.
“The most tranquil Shavasana I’ve ever experienced… peaceful setting made it truly special.”
If your shoulders dropped
reading this, it is probably for you.
How the day
unfolds.
Timings flex a little with the river, the weather and the group.
£165 per person, including lunch and all kit. Book your retreat day →
Worried about
falling in?
Most people are. It is the thing we hear most often in the welcome circle.
The Avon at Defford is calm, wide and clear. The boards are big and stable. You start on your knees and stand when you are ready. If you do go in, you will already know exactly what to do, because we cover it on the bank before anyone gets wet.
Everything on the day is optional. You can skip the yoga or the swim, and if you would rather stay kneeling on your board, that is fine too.
Everything you need
is part of the £165.
Lunch from
Revill's Farm Shop.
Lunch is made for the group by Revill's Farm Shop, right next door to the sailing club, using locally sourced food. It is the same arrangement we use for our group bookings.
About two weeks before the retreat we will email you the menu options so you can choose your lunch. A drink is included.
Let us know about any dietary requirements when you choose, and Revill's will look after you.
In their own words
Wittering
SUP Yoga Instructor · Open Water Swimming Coach
James founded Wittering SUP on this stretch of the Avon and has been coaching here since 2019. He trained to teach Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation and co-developed the Academy of Surfing Instructors' Blue Health Facilitator certification. Calm, clear and quietly encouraging.
Alex is a yoga and SUP yoga instructor and an open water swimming coach. She leads the yoga on the bank and on the boards, and the optional wild dip.
James and Alex run every retreat themselves.
Retreat day or
Blue Health workshop?
- FeelRestorative, sociable
- HostsJames and Alex
- GroupUp to 10
- LunchIncluded, from Revill's
- Price£165
- FeelReflective, skills-based
- HostsJames
- GroupUp to 8
- LunchBring your own
- Take homeRecorded practices
- Price£165
Give the retreat
as a gift.
Our gift vouchers work for the retreat day and every other Wittering SUP experience, and they never expire.
What you need
to know before you book
Things people
usually ask
Saturday 22 May.
Ten places.
Choose your date and select your tickets. If you are coming with a friend, pick the two-person ticket and save £20.
If you have questions before booking, call or email. We are happy to talk it through.