Adaptive Paddle Ability Sessions

SUP should be available to as many as possible and this has always been at the core of what SUP Active Yorkshire has been trying to achieve. It is a relatively accessible sport that can be enjoyed by all ages, and we are now expanding our offer to anyone that might require more adaptive equipment and support to get them on the water.

Come and have a go on our paddle boards at the lovely Ellerton Lake where we have sheltered bays and an abundance of wildlife. Paddling is a great way to get exercise in the outdoors on some of our beautiful waterways and into a great way of socialising and making new friends. Always time for a brew and biscuit at the end.

Paddle Board Options:

We have a range of options including bespoke paddle seats that can go on single boards with outrigger to keep you upright and stable, The seats are pretty familiar to wheelchair users as they are designed by Davinci mobility and are a comfortable supported seat on skids not wheels. The whole concept has been developed and put together by our friend Ben at WhatSUPUK in conjunction with their Embrace board and also Andy Mconks who has developed similar updated version both supported with outriggers. Other options that work with seats are Tandem, Large and XL Boards and it is also possible to take on sports wheelchairs strapped on the XL board using one of our ramps from the slipway. We have other seats such as bean bags and foam kneeling saddles, seats designed by Will Behenna from Inclusive Paddleboarding . We also have some paddleboard race seats that have been developed  and used by the Czech and Danish Para Paddleboard teams and we hope to collaborate and develop the sport with our European friends.

Everyone has different requirements and support so drop us a message or give us a call and we can discuss what works for you.

There are development options to help coach you how to paddle the boards effectively solo or as a team and even have a go at one of our off-site river and canal adventures. 

We aim to make the boards and equipment as available as much as possible when we are open, so once you are happy and safe, there are options to hire boards on site and join some of our social sessions with support paddlers if needed.

Paddle boards can be used solo, as tandems or by groups of up to 6 people.

Who adaptive sessions for ?

Anyone over the age of 8 and who can transfer to a flat surface with support.

(We will get in touch and chat with you on any additional information and support that you might need)

What to bring?

We provide helmets if needed, buoyancy aids, wetsuits, paddles, boards, and some basic transfer aids. Bring clothing swimwear (already worn underneath), wellies/ water shoes, a towel and a full set of spare clothes. You can paddle in your own clothes, it is so good to bring spares. We endeavour to keep you dry on the larger boards but smaller boards you may get wet(or if you are intending to go for a swim and depending on the weather /water temp a wetsuit is advised)

Please give us a bell again if you are unsure of anything 

Sunglasses, Hats, Sun cream and any personal medication.

What’s on site?

We have a disabled toilet that has room to change in and there are also a separate shower and changing facility but they are not wheelchair accessible without portable ramp/threshold which we can provide. We do keep dry most of the time but if you would like to enter the water, we have wetsuits and buoyancy aids available and also waterproof over trousers.

There is large gravel car park and a slipway down to the waters edge that can be accessed by wheelchair and a Café 400m down the road that is wheelchair friendly, and also serves great food.

Only assistance dogs are allowed by the lake.

Training: We are always looking at keeping our knowledge up to date and we have worked with specialist providers to help us to provide a safe and enjoyable learning environment for our paddlers. I would like to thank Anyone Can, WhatsApp, Davinci Mobility, Bendrigg Trust , Inclusive Paddle Boarding, McConks Paddle Boarding ,Enable You, Open Country, Sport ability, North Yorkshire Sport and many more people along the way for helping to support to access to the disabled sports community.