Paddle SUP Company

Canal Unpowered Boat Navigation Update
*Please read if you are planning on paddling without us on the canal anytime soon…..*

Unpowered Boating Update - Mytchett Pound

Due to the exceptionally dry weather and prolonged lack of rainfall over recent months, water levels on the Mytchett Pound of the canal have fallen significantly. To help protect both visitors and the canal environment, a temporary suspension of all unpowered boating activities is now in place between Lock 28 (Deepcut) and Lock 29 (Ash Lock, Aldershot). This includes:

• Rowing boats
• Pedalos
• Kayaks
• Canoes – sit in and sit on top
• Stand up paddle boards
• All types of inflatable craft

As part of this suspension, all forms of boat hire from the Canal Centre (pedalos, rowing boats, kayaks, canoes) and trips on Rosebud are currently temporarily unavailable.

While we understand this may be disappointing for regular paddlers and boaters, this precautionary measure has been taken to ensure the safety of canal users and to safeguard the wildlife that depends on this stretch of water during these challenging conditions.

Low water levels can create a number of hazards, including:
• Reduced oxygen levels in the water when mud and sediment are disturbed, which can impact fish and other aquatic wildlife.
• Objects normally hidden beneath the surface becoming much closer to, or breaking through, the water.
• Water appearing deeper than it actually is, increasing the risk of injury.
• Warmer conditions encouraging the growth of algae, which can be harmful to both people and dogs.

Alternative Places to Paddle
The good news is that there are still opportunities to enjoy unpowered boating elsewhere on the canal. Water levels remain suitable for paddling on:
• The Hampshire Pound (Greywell to Ash Lock, Aldershot – approx. 15 miles)
• The Hermitage Pound (Locks 11 – 12 - approx. 3 miles)
• The Woking Pound (Locks 6 – 7 - approx. 5 miles)

How You Can Help
We kindly ask all visitors to:
• Stay on the towpath and avoid newly formed beaches and canal margins, which can be unexpectedly muddy and provide important habitat for wildlife.
• Keep dogs under close control, or on a lead where appropriate, to minimise disturbance to wildfowl and reduce the risk of dogs becoming trapped in mud.
• Keep both yourself and your dogs out of the water while these conditions persist.

We are continuing to monitor conditions closely and will review the situation as water levels recover.

Thank you for your understanding, patience and support during these unusual circumstances.

POV: You are about to become a safe, independent stand up paddle boarder. 🏄‍♀️🌊

It starts with carrying your board to the water…

Then kneeling.

Controlling your equipment

Finding your balance.

Taking that first wobbly attempt at standing. 😅

And before you know it, you’re standing, paddling, turning, stopping and even practising your own self-rescue with confidence.

That’s what our 2-hour & 90 minute Beginner Paddleboarding Lessons are all about.

Not just getting you standing on a board — but giving you the skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy paddleboarding safely and independently.

And we LOVE hearing how our beginners feel after their sessions… 💙

⭐️ Swipe through to see some of our recent customer reviews.

If you’ve been thinking “I’d love to try paddleboarding, but I’m not sure I’d be any good at it”. Or you’ve already got the board, had a try and it’s more complicated than you first expected….

You know where to come. We’ll take you from confusion to clarity and cautious to confident!! 🏄

📍 Paddleboarding on the Basingstoke Canal
🏄‍♀️ 2-hour beginner lessons or 90 minute 1-1s & groups
💙 Small, supportive groups
🛟 Safety skills & self-rescue included
🌱 Suitable for complete or relative beginners, theres always something to learn!

Ready to become a confident, independent paddler?

👉 Check the link in bio for upcoming beginner lesson dates on our website, both weekday and weekend sessions available.

Your first paddle starts here. 💙

PaddleboardLessonshampshire

Who fancies trying to squeeze in a little visit to Floaters on a Hamble tour before they close for the season??

The season is drawing to a close for us, although we hear rumours that the lovely weather may continue while Paul and I are away on holiday.

If you're wanting to visit us this year, you have until the 6th September 🌊🧡

👏🏼

😆 We had exactly the same conversation on Friday morning…..

"Are there crocodiles in the canal?"

It's a question we're asked surprisingly often aboard Kitty by many a child and the odd adult.

After yesterdays cruise, we're no longer answering that question with complete confidence... 🐊🤣

Tell us what you think.

Crocodile or very convincing log? 👀

Still ok down our end at Odiham and Winchfield, but levels are getting lower each day.

Seventeen locks on the Basingstoke Canal have been closed after drought conditions and prolonged dry weather caused low water levels.

More here: https://bbc.in/4bMjBOV

August is officially in FULL SWING ☀️🌊
And if paddleboarding is on your summer bucket list… this is your sign to stop thinking about it and get booked! 😉

We’ve got a selection of paddleboard lessons, coaching sessions and adventures available for the rest of August — from getting started with your very first paddle, to building your confidence and skills, or heading out on one of our guided tours to explore somewhere new.

But a little heads-up… 👀
It’s peak season, and spaces are regularly selling out quickly.

Our smaller sessions are designed to give you a great experience on the water, so we deliberately keep numbers limited — which means availability can disappear fast, especially when the weather is looking good and we simply don’t have capacity to add any more dates after this (We’ve already moved mountains & juggled life to free these up for you all)

Whether you’re:
🏄‍♀️ A complete beginner
💪 Looking to improve your skills
🌿 Ready for a paddleboarding adventure
👯‍♀️ Planning something fun with friends or family
🌊 Or simply want to make the most of the last weeks of summer…

Check out the available dates in this post and get your August paddle booked!

Don’t leave it until the forecast is perfect — those are usually the dates that disappear first! 😉

📲 Swipe through to see what’s available and book your space via the link in our bio.

See you on the water! 🏄