When I moved back to my hometown in Kent last year, I remember spending AGES researching places on the water to call home. To be honest, I had to really dig around to find my paddle crew and places to paddleboard. 18 months later, and 350kms paddling our local waterways, and wow, we have some real gems on our doorstep.
Counting down to my favourite, here are my top 5 spots to help you create your best adventures paddleboarding in Kent…
1. River Stour - Canterbury Paddle right through the centre of Kent’s only city and see the beautiful sites, including paddling right past Canterbury Cathedralto see it in a whole new perspective from the water. Parking in St Radigund’s Car Park, launch at the easy access point opposite, before ducking under the City’s bridges and buildings until you’re paddling through the meadows of the beautiful countryside. Just be respectful of the punters on the water ferrying tourists around and make sure you stop off for a drink in The Millers Arms for post-paddle refreshments!
The Kent Coast - And what a coastline we have here to paddleboard in Kent! We have so many sea spots, launching from our beautiful beaches. Top places include Viking Bay in Broadstairs, home to our friends at Kent Surf School, or Hythe beach where our very own India calls home. You just can’t beat a sunrise or sunset paddle on the sea! Just make sure you understand how to read the wind and tides before heading out on the sea to keep you safe and ask someone local to help.
3. St Andrews Lakes - When the Kent North Downs gets mistaken for Canada! Never did I think I’d be saying that sentence, but it’s true. Instagram blocked one of my reels because someone thought I’d stolen content from across the seas as the water is so blue! But no, this natural water has a unique azure blue colour that is absolutely stunning. Pre-book your slot with St Andrews Watersports for some laps of this small, but perfectly formed corner of Canadian paradise, right on our doorstep.
4. Bewlwater - A big fave of mine for paddleboarding in Kent, as many of you know! Set in an Area of Outstanding Beauty, Bewlwater is a stunning reservoir straddling the boundary between Kent and East Sussex. It’s a real haven for paddleboarding with so many little bays across the huge lake to explore, if you’re happy to pay the cost of becoming a member.
With its own little climate there, it’s a great place to test your skills in wind. That being said, those days I wake up and see it’s Force 1 wind at Bewlwater, my word does it get my ass out of bed! You just can’t miss out on those opportunities – life is for the living, and Force 1 on a sunny day at Bewl makes you feel totally alive.
5. River Medway - The home to our very own Paddle Cabin. Paddle underneath the shadows of beautiful woodland and feel totally immersed in nature – there really is no better feeling. Goodness knows how many hours I’ve spent on those waters and yet I notice something new every single time. The wellbeing benefits of being in green-blue space really are true, I know that for a fact because I experience it every single time. There’s a variety of self-launch points from Tonbridge Lower Castle Field car park, Hartlake Road (limited parking) or Teston Country Park.
For members of the Paddle Cabin, you’re so welcome to self-launch from our access point to the river and grab a bite from our pals at the café opposite the cabin, or join us for a post-paddle drink and campfire and join us to live the paddle life.
Until then, I hope you have some fab adventures here in Kent and find those golden nuggets, right on our doorstep here in the Garden of England. I’d love to hear your fave paddle spots too – tag us @paddlecabin and we’ll share the Kent paddle love with the rest of our awesome community. Sharing is caring 😊 Happy paddling!
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