The Dawn Paddle Experience
A unique dawn paddleboard experience on the beautiful River Avon with Wittering SUP; an ASI accredited SUP school and a British Canoeing Delivery Partner. .
COVID19 LATEST: All our sessions will be socially distanced, hygienic and will adhere to government guidelines and advice from British Canoeing, the ASI and the Avon Navigation Trust as these evolve over time as well as meeting our own internal COVID19 risk assessment standards. We are also COVID19 Secure Audited by the ASI.
Just before the dawn on the river is a magical time; the last few bats and owls are putting themselves to bed, the otters are making a last dash for tasty trout before the hubbub of the day encroaches, and the deer are taking the opportunity to drink their fill at the bank. Then the sun's rays start to shine on the water, low on the horizon, through the trees that line the banks of the river. In Japanese there's a word for this dappled light as it leaks through branches of the trees, komorebi (木漏れ日). It doesn't have a direct translation into English; it's a compound of 'ko' meaning tree, 'more' meaning leaking through, and 'bi' meaning sunlight and it's a distinctively meditative experience on a paddleboard. Join us a for a few hours of still, tranquil morning bliss before the world wakes up :)
This is a private, Wittering SUP Tribe invitation only event for competent paddlers who have been out with us before. Limited to 5 paddlers (so book early to avoid missing out on this one!) It's an early start, meeting at the sailing club at 5.20am ready to set off and paddle into the sunrise at 5.40am. The sun will rise at 5.54am and provide a stunning backdrop to our paddle. We will aim to return to base by about 8am where we will treat you to Coffee and Croissants. What a way to start a Sunday!
Activity duration: approximately 2.5hrs.
Location: Arden Sailing Club, Defford
Time/Date: Sunday 16th August 2020 @ 5.30am
Ages 18+
All participants must be able to swim 50m.
Cost: £65 (inc Eventbrite booking fee) per person
What you'll be doing
- Meet and greet at the Sailing Club, lots of smiles and high-fives 😃
- We kit you out with paddles, boards and buoyancy aids
- Safety and self-rescue techniques refresher
- Head out onto the water, paddling towards Eckington Bridge and beyond into the countryside to watch the sun come up and enjoy whatever treats nature has in store for us
- Head back to base around 8am for some coffee and croissants - yum!
Additional Information
1COVID19 Secure Audited
All our sessions will be socially distanced, hygienic and will adhere to government guidelines and advice from British Canoeing, the ASI and the Avon Navigation Trust as these evolve over time as well as meeting our own internal COVID19 risk assessment standards. We are ASI COVID19 Secure Audited.
2On-site facilities
Wittering SUP HQ is based at Arden Sailing Club where we have toilets, changing rooms, light refreshments, picnic tables and secure parking onsite. It is not a public venue and as such is very secure.
You are welcome to stay on site during the activity time (picnic tables and a toilet are currently available) or you can leave them with us and head off for some 'you' time (Revell's Farm Shop do some lovely cakes and lunches) :)
3What is included?
Our 3hr paddle camp sessions include all the gear they need to get on the water, we’ll kit them out with:
An adjustable paddle. they’ll be learning on a beautiful 10’6” Sandbanks SUP Style Art Board. Safety leash on every board and buoyancy aid.
4What should they wear?
We just ask that they dress for the weather; board shorts and tee shirts are a favourite in the Summer, or perhaps their favourite sports or swimming outfit. Quick-drying and sun-safe are a good choice (don't forget their suncream on a warm day).
On our feet we prefer a physical connection with the board so tend to go barefoot, but any water-shoe is fine or even a pair of old trainers that you don’t mind getting wet.
A towel and a change of clothes are a good idea, just in case.
5Feeling a little unsure?
New skills outside of our comfort zone can always seem a little daunting, but we are always SO much more capable than we think we are. We are passionate about making sure everybody feels safe, confident and happy with their experience; our approach is gentle, supportive and compassionate and you have nothing to worry about; we’ll look after them.
6Refund & Cancellation Policy
We have to plan ahead and session spaces are limited so we offer a full refund if you notify us of your cancellation 2 weeks before your session or a 50% refund a week before your booked session (gift voucher sessions are non-refundable).
We only operate under the safest conditions, as such if the weather (wind), or water (flow/flood) conditions are not appropriate for beginner’s lessons we will notify you and arrange a more suitable date for your experience.
For anyone struggling with anxiety during these strange times we're now living in, I can also highly recommend Wittering SUP. Mindfulness isn't something that comes naturally to me, it's definitely a work in progress, but after paddling I felt better than I have done in a long time. That horrible anxious feeling had gone and I honestly felt like a weight had been lifted