Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-112.jpg" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding Newbury" class="wp-image-66126" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-112.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-112-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-112-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-112-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.blpaddleboards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Lemon</a> are an experienced BSUPA (British Stand Up Paddleboarding Association) affiliated paddleboarding school taking life in the slow lane around beautiful West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. Offering bespoke group bookings, lessons, and tours for all ages, you&#8217;re in safe hands with Colin and Nicole. Why? Well, the 200 five star reviews they have under their belt says it all. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s a range of activities you can get stuck into. Join their <a href="https://www.blpaddleboards.com/paddleboard-tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guided Paddleboard Tours</a> from Newbury, Wallingford, Abingdon and Oxford every weekend (May – Oct), plus Sunset Tours will run on alternative Wednesday evenings from Woolhampton and Hungerford (Apr – Sep). Numbers are kept purposely small (a max of 12) so no scrapping over your patch, equipment is provided, and the tours are a totally unique and peaceful way to see the local area as you float along.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-1-12.jpg" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding Newbury" class="wp-image-66125" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-1-12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-1-12-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-1-12-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/blue-lemon-paddleboarding-1-12-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tours are suitable for all abilities. However, you may prefer to hop on a 1-1 individually tailored <a href="https://www.blpaddleboards.com/lessons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lesson</a> before you hit the water solo. Yep, they can do that too. Get BSUPA qualified on their brilliant two-hour courses. It’s the perfect way to feel confident on the water and learn all the insider techniques for setting up your equipment correctly, plus learning how to stop, turn, and accelerate without nose diving in a blur of flailing limbs.</p>



<p>Tailored tours and experiences from other locations&nbsp;including Reading, Marlow and Windsor can be arranged, as well as board hire too. Just get in touch and they will be all too happy to help.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-paddleboarding-experience">THE PADDLEBOARDING EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-1.jpg" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding" class="wp-image-67676" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-1-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-1-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Up the Kennet and Avon&nbsp;Canal we gooooo! Meeting on a summer&#8217;s Sunday morning beside Newbury Library, Colin and Nicole gave our group of six a warm welcome as they briefed us on what to expect from the tour, safety precautions, and how to use the equipment. Coming along with me for the ride was my friend Chris. Round of applause please. He was taking one for the team being the only one in the group who&#8217;d never paddleboarded before. No need to fret though. Colin assured he&#8217;d be given extra attention throughout the 90 minute tour which helped put him at ease.</p>



<p>Then, it was go time. Setting sail from near the Teashop by the Canal, each person was helped onto their board. We began getting acclimated by starting the tour on our knees. It was good to get a feel for the water and there was zero pressure from Colin and Nicole to stand up straight away. After a while, my legs were beginning to cramp. So at that point, I knew it was time. Never did I expect to be the first one up on two legs, but with a little wobble, I propped myself up, and off I went. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="856" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-1.png" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding Newbury" class="wp-image-67428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-1-800x685.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-1-400x342.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-1-768x657.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The tour was incredibly peaceful as we slowly meandered our way up the canal. Passing by the town, countless boats, and one or two swans (hm, hm, hundreds), everyone was in good spirits as we floated and nattered along. At one point, we did have to exit the water and walk our boards a little up stream, but it wasn&#8217;t an issue. The boards aren&#8217;t <em>that</em> heavy and are certainly manageable for anyone with a reasonable amount of fitness.</p>



<p>The most challenging bit for me however, was the limbo moment under the bridge. As one bridge was so low, we did have to get on our tummies, keep our heads down, and use our hands to propel ourselves through. Sligggghtly claustrophobic. But if this is something you know you&#8217;d struggle with, there&#8217;s no reason you couldn&#8217;t get out the water and walk your way around it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="856" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review.png" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding Newbury" class="wp-image-67427" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-800x685.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-400x342.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-review-768x657.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As we paddled along, I overheard so many onlookers saying how much they&#8217;d love to give it a go. One man even asked me what the tour group was called. Trust me, it was as fun as it looked. If a canal boat came by, we simply made our way to the side to let it pass. Eventually, even Chris built up the courage to stand up and he absolutely smashed it. And as someone who has self-confessed &#8220;no balance&#8221;, it just goes to show how much you can surprise yourself. By the end of the tour, everyone was on their feet.</p>



<p>The 90 minutes went by in a flash, but it was the perfect amount of time. And seeing a family of baby signets and their mum near the end was the cherry on top. It was such a unique perspective to see Newbury from the canal, and was THE perfect Sunday morning activity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon.jpg" alt="Blue Lemon Paddleboarding Newbury" class="wp-image-67423" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/blue-lemon-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hallelujah! I managed to stay dry throughout. Only two out of six took a tumble into the waters which is pretty good going if you ask me. The tour was incredibly peaceful, and afterwards I got that real feel good feeling. Colin and Nicole were lovely and very easy going which only added to the chilled experience of it all. Sunday morning fresh air and feel good exercise that&#8217;s fun? Yes it exists. And the fact I burnt 500 calories in the process? Bonus. I think paddleboarding might just be my new obsession. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>The 90-minute guided <a href="https://www.blpaddleboards.com/paddleboard-tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paddleboard Experience Tour</a> is just £39 per person. Tours run from Newbury, Wallingford, Abingdon and Oxford every weekend (May – Oct), plus Sunset Tours are on alternative Wednesday evenings from Woolhampton and Hungerford.</p>



<p><em>Words by Ellie Ball</em></p>



<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.blpaddleboards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Lemon Paddleboarding</a>. Phone: 07399 588489</strong></em></p>


Review: Newbury paddleboard tour with Blue Lemon Paddleboarding

You may also like