Paddle Up - Paddle Board School & Club, Surrey

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Public slipways and jetties along the River Thames

Here’s a simple directory of public slipways, jetties and low river banks, perfect for launching your stand up paddle board along the River Thames. 

Here we’re focused on the non-tidal stretch, from Teddington Lock up to Lechlade. 

We’re based mid Thames in Shepperton, so we’d love it if anyone from upper & lower could add to this directory. Get in touch if you’d like to share any public slipways and jetties that you have found. 

We’re going to continue adding to this directory, so feel free to add this page to your favourites and use it again and again. 

If you’re new to paddle boarding on the River Thames, here are a few things worth knowing:

  • Don’t forget you need a licence to paddle on the River Thames, you can do this through British Canoeing, it costs around £45 for the year and gives you access to 4,500km of waterways.

  • Note that after Teddington, the Thames widens and deepens as it becomes tidal flowing through the heart of London.

  • Please travel on the right hand side of the river.

  • Wear the correct safety equipment, i.e. buoyancy aid and quick release belt. 

  • If you find yourself in trouble, dial 999. It’s essential that you keep a phone on your person at all times when paddling.

  • Use apps such as windy, the met office, and other generic weather apps to help determine if the wind conditions are safe on that day.

  • Always check the river conditions before you paddle, we recommend doing this from the comfort of your own home, before setting off for the day.

  • To check current River Thames (non tidal) conditions, head to the gov.uk website and search River Thames: current river conditions, or click here.

  • The Environment Agency may also display warning boards at locks to inform river users of the conditions, these range from Red to Yellow and we recommend avoiding the river if you see either colour boards displayed. 

Lastly, we highly recommend a lesson if you are new to stand up paddle boarding. There are plenty of SUP Schools along the River Thames (including us) that can help provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to keep yourself safe, and have fun. 


We hope you find this directory useful. See more of our favourite launch spots here.

India and Joshua

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