Paddleboarding or stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) has had a huge surge in popularity over the last few years. So much so that there’s now loads of places for paddleboarding in the North West where you can hire a board and a wetsuit or take your own.
People get into it for loads of reasons (and not least because it’s a lot of fun). It’s great for fitness; balancing and paddling are both excellent for building core strength. And it’s good for your mental health; paddleboarding is like yoga or boxing in that it completely consumes your attention while you’re doing it. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself forgetting about pretty much everything else while you’re out on the water.
Some paddleboarders like to float solo, while others prefer to go as a group in a mini flotilla. Here we’ve listed six places in the North West where you can try it, including easy-to-get-to city spots, and beautiful lakes out in the Cheshire countryside.
#grown_up_summer
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WhitchurchAlderford Lake
More detailsAlderford Lake is the perfect day out all year round. It’s an idyllic location but you won’t be able to sit still and enjoy the birdsong or take in the view; there’s far too much going on.
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WaterfrontLiverpool Watersports Centre
More detailsNothing shakes up the senses quite like a winter dip in the docks. Head to Mariners Wharf for all-year-round aquatic activities at Liverpool Watersports Centre including open water swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, powerboating, and giant swan pedalo-ing. Go in the warmer months and there’s an Aqua Park too – basically a big inflatable playground in the water.
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FrodshamManley Mere
More detailsThis man-made lake used to be a field full of cows until the owners diversified their business model from dairy farming into water sports. Manley Mere is now home to an adventure trail, open water swimming, an aqua park, a sailing centre and a cafe. Sounds like they made the right decision.
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Salford QuaysSalford Watersports Centre
More detailsSituated at Dock 8, Salford Quays, Salford Watersports Centre aims to make its activities accessible to everyone who wants to dip their toes in the world of watersports. It offers open water swimming (winter and summer), paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and powerboating.
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SaleTrafford Watersports Centre
More detailsTrafford Watersports Centre is the organisation that runs most of the lake-based and land-based activities you’ll see happening at Sale Waterpark.
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DelamereWild Shore Delamere
More detailsIf you’ve never known the joy of flying over a lake on a rope swing and daring yourself to let go, get it on your bucket list, and then get yourself over to Wild Shore Delamere to tick it off.
