Whether you’re a complete newbie or you’ve got your own board, paddle boarding is one of the most fun and accessible watersports.
Stand up paddle boarding is having a real moment – and it’s easy to see why. Once you’ve mastered the basics and you’re navigating your very own board, you’ll feel as if you’re on top of the world. From industrial settings to countryside lakes, here are the best places to go paddle boarding in and around Manchester.
Looking for more ways to get out on the water? Check out our guide to open water swimming in Manchester.
Salford Watersports Centre
Fancy cruising around some of Salford’s most scenic waterways? Visit Salford Watersports Centre and you can do just that. With calm, sheltered waters and city skyline views, it’s the perfect spot for urban paddlers and a way to completely wind down after a day in the office.
If you’re totally new to the sport, you can join a Learn to SUP class, picking up all the essential skills in a 75-minute session. Once you’ve learnt the ropes, you can take the more advanced SUP Skills class or hire a board and explore at your own pace. There’s even a paddlesports club if you really find your passion!
Where? 15 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SQ.
When? Every Saturday & Sunday, Wednesday & Friday evenings, every day during the school holidays, plus extra midweek sessions added each week when there’s availability.
Find out more: salfordwatersports.com
Debdale Outdoor Centre
Credit: GLL
You’ll find Debdale Outdoor Centre in the heart of Debdale Park, offering watersports in a laidback setting that’s less than half an hour from central Manchester. There are loads of watersports on offer, from windsurfing to powerboating, alongside pay-as-you-go SUP hire.
Paddle board sessions last 60 minutes and include a safety brief and equipment hire. There’s no experience required prior to the session, and you’ll receive a wetsuit and helmet to wear throughout. These sessions are for paddlers aged 16 and over, but their popular multi-activity holiday clubs give kids the chance to get out on the water.
Where? 1073 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester, M18 7LJ.
When? 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm daily.
Find out more: better.org.uk
Wild Shore Delamere
© Copyright Jonty Storey
Situated just under an hour’s drive away from Manchester, Wild Shore Delamere is a watersports centre on a beautiful Cheshire lake. Alongside paddle boarding and kayaking, there’s wakeboarding and water-based obstacle courses, so you can fully make a day of it.
There’s something for all abilities, from 90-minute Learn 2 SUP classes, led by ASI-qualified instructors, to Hire & Paddle sessions where you can do your own thing. You can even bring your own board and explore the entire lake! With lush forest all around you, it feels like a mini getaway.
Where? Lake Holiday & Sailing Park, Chester Road, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2JL.
When? Between April to November, Learn to SUP sessions run daily during opening hours at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm and 5pm, while Hire & Paddle sessions start every two hours from 10am.
Find out more: wildshoredelamere.co.uk
Hollingworth Lake
This historic reservoir near Rochdale has long been a favourite for watersports, and SUP is no exception. With sweeping Pennine views and a laidback atmosphere, it’s a scenic destination for paddlers old and young – you can even enjoy a well-earned pub lunch afterwards.
You can take part in a one-hour taster session from as little as £16.20, learning how to jump on, stand up and get to grips with your paddle. Once you’re feeling more confident, you can rent a board and a wetsuit for a 45-minute self-guided session, while if you’ve got your own board, you can buy a day permit for lake access.
Where? Lake Bank, Littleborough, OL15 0DQ.
When? You can hire a paddle board during the lake’s opening hours, which are 9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday through summer (March to October).
Find out more: yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
Manley Mere
A hidden gem in the Cheshire countryside, Manley Mere offers a peaceful setting for paddle boarding – and it’s just an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre. It’s a hub of outdoor activities, home to watersports, an aqua park and an on-land adventure trail.
You can get to grips with the basis of SUP with a one-hour taster lesson, with personal coaching available on request. Once you’ve mastered it (and maybe fallen off a few times), you can rent a board for an hour, while affordable self-launch passes are as little as £18 for the day or a tenner for an evening session.
Where?Manley Lane, Frodsham, WA6 0PE.
When? You can hire a paddle board for an hour daily at 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm and 3:45pm. Contact the venue for information about lesson availability.
Find out more: manleymere.co.uk
