In 2011 we brought Stand-up-Paddleboarding (SUP) to West London and we introduced thousands of people to the sport and to the Thames.

Active360

We opened the doors in the Arches under Kew Bridge with the dedication to develop stand up paddle boarding (SUP) in London. Our aim was to offer opportunities for locals and visitors alike to take part, purchase equipment and even train to coach the sport. Back then our underlying objective was to become the Go-To People for SUP in London. Within a few years of hard work we had achieved that but the journey wasn’t without difficulties and frustrations along the way.

SUP on the tidal Thames wasn’t allowed back then. We encountered big restrictions imposed on us by the Port of London Authority (PLA) who thought SUP was a high risk sport on the Thames. We worked hard to show that the risks were comparable with other established watersports if not lower. SUP was a new sport and a few misconceptions were to be expected. By contrast, rowing is well established and accepted on the Thames despite rowers moving backwards in unstable crafts that are tricky to turn. We had a few obstacles to overcome and a few battles to win. We stuck with it and worked with the PLA. We developed the Thames Skills and Knowledge (TSK) course aiming to equip people with the knowledge and skills needed to paddle safely on the Thames. Eventually, in 2013 the PLA recognised SUP as a safe way to enjoy the river.

It is a safe sport when the right equipment is used, participants are prepared and take the river seriously. The low number of incidents attributed to SUP since we popularised it in London speaks volumes.

By 2011 when we started Active360, the founder and the key players had been kayaking on the Thames for many years, some15 plus with experience in white water kayaking, surf and sea kayaking. The founder of Active360 set up 3 canoe clubs in West London, all of which are still running strong and growing in numbers. He knew the river well: the risks and hazards, safe places to get on and off the river, when and where it’s best to paddle, best spots to stop for a snack to take in the beauty of the river and appreciate the moment. 

Active 360 has gained to date years of SUP experience on the Thames and the sound base of lead coaches’ paddlesport experience predates the arrival of SUP on the Thames. When you come to us to learn SUP you can be sure you are speaking to people who do not see it as a business or a job only, but people who live the life of the River, understand it and want to share it with you.

We now operate from Kew Bridge, Paddington Basin, Brentford Lock and in Richmond through our partner company Active360 Richmond.

We offer:

• SUP lessons and train people from first timers to intermediate plus enabling them to become independent and competent paddlers on tidal rivers and create their own SUP adventures

• Natural History Tours on the Thames

• Paddle&Pick river and canal clean ups

• equipment hire (SUP and canoes)

• Thames Skills & Knowledge (TSK) training

• SUP holidays and expeditions

• SUP London Club to make regular participation and skills development affordable

Things we’re proud of:

• making SUP part of the Thames Tideway river scene alongside rowing and kayaking and opening up Central London to SUP

• our ethos of not putting profit before safety and quality of experience for our clients by investing in some of the best equipment available on the UK market

• events we originated: Big Ben Challenge and London Crossing, Plastic Ocean Festival and events we helped to develop: Tidefest, Foreshore Festival, Source to Sea Relay, Thames SUP Marathon, Regatta London

• partners we work with and charities we support

• facilitating fundraising for good causes especially 40tude marathon and Waves for Change