Our Story
SUP Bristol is the award winning home of stand up paddleboarding in Bristol. Between the team we've paddled on four continents, from the raging whitewater of the White Nile to New Zealand's tranquil fjords. We're highly qualified and passionate about sharing our love for the water; both on Bristol's historic Floating Harbour and beyond.
In 2025 we joined the Mendip Adventure family of brands – including Mendip Activity Centre, Outdoor Instructor Training, Mendip Basecamp and YHA Cheddar. This incredibly exciting partnership will help us grow the business and enable thousands more to get on the water for the first time. Find out more.
Our story dates back to 2008 when Tim and Kate met in Bristol fresh from uni. On the weekends they explored the city, often from the water, loving the vibrancy of the harbour. They’d take friends out on the harbour in canoes, and people always asked how they could get on the water themselves.
It didn’t seem easy to get into paddling. Joining a club would involve commitment and there didn’t seem to be many intro courses around.
There must be an easier way – an idea was born.
They first discovered SUP in 2010 whilst travelling in New Zealand, falling in love with the ease and accessibility of the sport, the new perspective it gave them, and the sheer joy and simplicity of paddling standing up. They came home and excitedly wrote SUP Bristol’s first business plan on A1 paper in felt tip pen.
They went to meet with Red Paddle Co, then still a small business themselves. It turned out they shared a frustration with the many challenges of getting people on the water, and the excitement that SUP was the future…
Incredible experiences
Join us for a truly unique way to experience Bristol. You’ll float in the shadow of Brunel’s ss Great Britain, paddle alongside the famous Matthew, and wave at passing hot air balloonists. Our love for paddlesport shows in every session we run, from supporting your first strokes to enabling adventures further afield.
We’re a leading provider of stand up paddleboarding coach education and in the winter season you’ll find us all over the UK training the next generation of SUP instructors.
We are fully qualified AALA approved, licensed and insured (£5m public liability). Copies of our insurance certificates, operating procedures and risk assessments are available on our website here.
Find out more about our team or get started and join us on the water.
