Stand up Paddleboarding Adventure in Sussex
Full day SUP adventure for £99
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Paddleboarding
Full day guided SUP adventure in Sussex on the River Arun
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Perfect for Experienced Paddlers
Learn new SUP skills and build confidence on the board
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Escape the City
Reconnect with nature in a beautiful tranquil setting!
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Meet New Friends
Over 95% of our guests join solo!
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Enjoy the Wildlife
Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of herons and the blue flash of kingfishers!
Join Gutsy Girls for our River SUP Adventure in West Sussex, a full day of stand up paddleboarding starting at the medieval town of Arundel through the South Downs National park, weaving through beautiful countryside, connecting with nature and adopting the gentle pace of the river.
This is a full day paddleboarding, created for those who’ve paddled a few times before. It’s an excellent opportunity to build your confidence on the board and cover longer distances in a super fun and welcoming environment. If you’ve never paddleboarded before, we ask you to please have a lesson before joining our longer day paddles, once you’ve mastered the basics the paddleboarding adventure opportunities are endless!
Our SUP Day Adventures are a great escape from the busyness of everyday life. We encourage our attendees to join solo for a chance to meet new like-minded women and create new connections and friendships. We’ve chosen locations with easy access from London by train and public transport, getting you out of the city and exploring the beautiful countryside in the company of new friends.
Activities
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The Paddle
We start this paddle in the picturesque medieval market town of Arundel, with its magnificent castle and cathedral set high on the hills overlooking the historic town. Paddling with the tide, we’ll wind through Sussex Downs National Park. With the absence of roads, this is a tranquil paddle with beautiful views of rolling hills and quaint villages.
The wildlife along the river banks, and the flood plain create the perfect wetland for a variety of birds, we’ll keep our fingers crossed of sightings of herons, the blue flash of kingfishers, kestrels and maybe even a friendly seal or two!
We’ll take a break on the river bank at the pretty village of Amberly for a slice of cake and a hot drink prepared by our guide on the Kelly Kettle! Bring a packed lunch for a picnic by the side of the river and maybe if you fancy it, a wild swim.
After our break, we’ll continue our paddle on the river under the bridge carrying the South Downs Way footpath and through Pulborough Brooks Nature reserve to our exit at Swans Bridge.
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SUP Experience Required
We’ll paddle for 5-6 hours, paddling at a comfortable and relaxed pace to take in the beautiful scenery.
Basic paddleboarding skills are required, so please join us after you’ve had a lesson or two, and feel confident paddling around 20 km downstream.
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Come Solo!
Gutsy Girls creates fun, friendly and welcoming spaces for all women to connect in nature!
We know first hand how hard it can be to organise things with friends with busy schedules, or maybe your friends aren’t into the same activities as you!
We encourage everyone join us solo to meet new friends. Over 90 % of our attendees come on their own!
Once you book in, you’ll be invited to a Whatsapp group to meet your fellow Gutsy Girls for this adventure, so you can plan to travel together.
The Paddle
We start this paddle in the picturesque medieval market town of Arundel, with its magnificent castle and cathedral set high on the hills overlooking the historic town. Paddling with the tide, we’ll wind through Sussex Downs National Park. With the absence of roads, this is a tranquil paddle with beautiful views of rolling hills and quaint villages.
The wildlife along the river banks, and the flood plain create the perfect wetland for a variety of birds, we’ll keep our fingers crossed of sightings of herons, the blue flash of kingfishers, kestrels and maybe even a friendly seal or two!
We’ll take a break on the river bank at the pretty village of Amberly for a slice of cake and a hot drink prepared by our guide on the Kelly Kettle! Bring a packed lunch for a picnic by the side of the river and maybe if you fancy it, a wild swim.
After our break, we’ll continue our paddle on the river under the bridge carrying the South Downs Way footpath and through Pulborough Brooks Nature reserve to our exit at Swans Bridge.
SUP Experience Required
We’ll paddle for 5-6 hours, paddling at a comfortable and relaxed pace to take in the beautiful scenery.
Basic paddleboarding skills are required, so please join us after you’ve had a lesson or two, and feel confident paddling around 20 km downstream.
Come Solo!
Gutsy Girls creates fun, friendly and welcoming spaces for all women to connect in nature!
We know first hand how hard it can be to organise things with friends with busy schedules, or maybe your friends aren’t into the same activities as you!
We encourage everyone join us solo to meet new friends. Over 90 % of our attendees come on their own!
Once you book in, you’ll be invited to a Whatsapp group to meet your fellow Gutsy Girls for this adventure, so you can plan to travel together.
Location
This adventure is perfect for those looking to escape the city and immerse themselves in nature. With easy access by train to Arundel from London and other UK cities, our launch site is a 15-minute walk from the station. This is an A to B adventure, you can choose to catch a train from Pulbough or we’ll transport you back to Arundel.
The timings of this adventure change depending on the tide, you may have time to explore Arundel castle before the adventure or walk around Pulborough Nature Reserve. You make a weekend of it and spend a night and day exploring the beautiful area.
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The meeting point is in Arundel, West Sussex, at Mill Road Car Park at the back of the Waterside Tea Rooms.
The nearest post code is BN18 9PA.
It is a 15 minute walk from Arundel train station. There are toilet facilities in the car park.
A taxi is provided to take you back to the launch point at the end of the paddle, or you can catch the train from Pulborough station (6 mins walk from our get out point).
Our meeting and finishing times vary depending on the event date as we need to take account of the tide times.
Please find the timing information for the specific date you have booked below.
2024 Timings:
Sun 23 June: Meet 10:00
Off the water 16:30
Taxi back to the start 30mins
Sun 7 July: Meet 10:30
Off the water 17:00
Taxi back to the start 30mins
Sat 24 August: Meet 12:00
Off the water 18:30
Taxi back to the start 30mins
This is also the weekend of the Arundel festival so it gets very busy. We recommend rail travel only or getting there early if travelling by car.
Sat 7 September: Meet 11:00
Off the water 17:30
Taxi back to the start 30mins
Sun 8 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30mins
Sat 21 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30mins
Please note: If you are driving, please ensure you do not park in the overflow section of the car park as this closes at 6 pm and you will be stuck there. Arrive early if necessary.
Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of our meeting time, as we need to be on the river on time due to the tides and taxi collection at the end of the paddle.
Please make every effort to arrive on time; to be fair to the group we cannot wait for latecomers.
If you do have issues with your journey, please let us know via the WhatsApp group.
You could arrange to enjoy a drink or dinner together before heading home.
Finish Times
We aim to start paddling about half an hour after the designated meeting time, and should finish about 6 hours later.
Please be flexible with return travel plans as our end timings can depend on the group and pace.
The taxi back to the start takes about 30 mins.
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Yes!
You can travel by train to Arundel train station and take a 15 min walk to the launch point.
A taxi is provided to take you back to the launch point in Arundel at the end of the paddle, or you can catch the train back from Pulborough station (6 mins walk from our get out point).
You'll receive a link to join a WhatsApp group with the other Gutsy Girls on your event, and you can use this to arrange travel or share lifts as you please.
See FAQs below for more info.
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You must have previous paddleboarding experience before joining us.
We will be paddling for 5-6 hours, covering about 20km.
• You must have had a formal lesson from a SUP instructor
• Feel confident in your ability to paddleboard all day
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WE PROVIDE:
• Stand up paddleboard, paddle and (PFD) personal floating device.
• Small dry bag
We do not offer discounts if you wish to use your own equipment.
YOU SHOULD BRING:
• Water (we recommend 1.5-2l)
• Packed lunch
• Snacks to keep your energy up
• Suncream
• Card/money for our refreshment stop.
• Change of clothes incase you fall in.
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
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Dress appropriately for the weather for your adventure.
We recommend sportswear that is fast drying.
Swimwear incase you’d like to swim.
A cap or sunhat is recommended.
We will paddle in trainers, wetsuit booties, water shoes or barefoot.
You will need to bring shoes with you on the board for any portages.
Join for £99
Full-day guided stand up paddleboarding
Expert SUP coaching from a qualified instructor
Stand Up Paddleboard and paddle hire included.
Small group experience, created for solo adventurers!
5-6 hours of paddleboarding
Hot drink and cake
Transfer back to start point
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Yes!
For this adventure you must have paddleboarded before. We will be paddling for 5-6 hours, covering around 20km.
You must have had a formal lesson from a SUP instructor
Feel confident in your ability to paddleboard all day
We will offer technique pointers over the course of the day, but we will not be able to accept beginners on this session.
SUP Events Restart June 2025
Our SUP sessions return in June 2025, running every weekend until the end of September. Dates go live in May—sign up for updates as they sell out fast!
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Yes!
For this adventure you must have paddleboarded before. We will be paddling for 5-6 hours, covering around 20km.
You must have had a formal lesson from a SUP instructor
Feel confident in your ability to paddleboard all day
We will offer technique pointers over the course of the day, but we will not be able to accept beginners on this session.
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You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you must be able to swim 100 m. You will be provided with a buoyancy aid.
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You are welcome to bring your own board if you wish, but we do not offer discounts for bringing your own equipment.
If you are bringing your own board, please let us know in advance.
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All Gutsy Girls events are for over 18s only
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There is no upper age limit for our adventures - we have women up to 70 years old join us.
The Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun, friendly and supportive women from 18-70+. We never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!
As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-60 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s.
After a day learning to surf, hiking to peaks for incredible views or exploring remote locations by paddleboard, age doesn't matter and we're all connected by our experiences.
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Please do! The vast majority of guests come along to our events and retreats solo.
Our aim is to connect solo travellers with like-minded new friends! We are a very friendly bunch, come as you are, we can’t wait to meet you!
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Please check your spam folders before contacting us. Hotmail in particular like to put our emails in spam. You'll need to add events@gutsygirls.co.uk to your safe list or to your contacts.
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Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.
Simply due to the ratio of men to women in the outdoors industry, sometimes this means our guides and instructors are male.
We keep a close eye on the feedback our guides receive from our guests as we believe that overall this is more important than their gender.
We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.
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The meeting point is in Arundel, West Sussex, at Mill Road Car Park at the back of the waterside tea rooms. The nearest post code is BN18 9PA.
There are toilet facilities in the car park.
A taxi is provided to take you back to the launch point at the end of the paddle, or you can catch the train from Pulborough station (6 mins walk from our get out point).
2024 Timings:
Sun 23 June: Meet 10:00
Off the water 16:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsSun 7 July: Meet 10:30
Off the water 17:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsSat 24 August: Meet 12:00
Off the water 18:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsThis is also the weekend of the Arundel festival so it gets very busy. We recommend rail travel only or getting there early if travelling by car.
Sat 7 September: Meet 11:00
Off the water 17:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsSun 8 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsSat 21 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsPlease note: If you are driving, please ensure you do not park in the overflow section of the car park as this closes at 6 pm and you will be stuck there. Arrive early if necessary.
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Arundel, West Sussex, at Mill Road Car Park at the back of the waterside tea rooms. The nearest post code is BN18 9PA.
There are toilet facilities in the car park.
A taxi is provided to take you back to the launch point at the end of the paddle, or you can catch the train from Pulborough station (6 mins walk from our get out point).
Our meeting and finishing times vary depending on the event date as we need to take account of the tide times.
2024 Timings:
Sun 23 June: Meet 10:00
Off the water 16:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsSun 7 July: Meet 10:30
Off the water 17:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsSat 24 August: Meet 12:00
Off the water 18:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsThis is also the weekend of the Arundel festival so it gets very busy. We recommend rail travel only or getting there early if travelling by car.
Sat 7 September: Meet 11:00
Off the water 17:30
Taxi back to the start 30minsSun 8 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsSat 21 September: Meet 11:30
Off the water 18:00
Taxi back to the start 30minsPlease note: If you are driving, please ensure you do not park in the overflow section of the car park as this closes at 6 pm and you will be stuck there. Arrive early if necessary.
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Yes!
You can travel by train to Arundel train station and take a 15 min walk to the launch point. (See "Where do we meet?" for the exact location).
A taxi is provided to take you back to the launch point in Arundel at the end of the paddle, or you can catch the train back from Pulborough station (6 mins walk from our get out point). See "What time does it start and finish" for timings.
You'll receive a link to join a WhatsApp group with the other Gutsy Girls on your event, and you can use this to arrange travel or share lifts as you please.
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Yes! The meeting point is at Mill Road Car Park, where you can park. The nearest postcode is BN18 9PA. This is a pay and display car park with a height barrier that closes at 6 pm. (The height barrier is not a problem if you are in a car or small van).
There is an overflow car park which is used at busy times, but this also closes at 6 pm. If you are in the overflow after 6 pm you are stuck there. Please ensure you are not in this section of the car park if the event you're booked on will return to the start point after 6 pm. Arrive early if necessary.
The car park costs £5.00 for parking over 4 hours.
You'll receive a link to join a WhatsApp group with the other Gutsy Girls on your event, and you can use this to arrange to meet up or share lifts as you please.
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Sportswear; fast drying, lightweight t-shirt, shorts or leggings - clothes suitable for the weather conditions (we don't recommend a wetsuit for this trip).
Extra lightweight warm top in case you take an early swim
Swimwear underneath for wild swimming (optional).
Wetsuit booties, water shoes or trainers, it’s your choice!
Change of clothes for your journey in case you get wet.
Packed lunch and snacks
Water for the day, at least 2 litres
Waterproof jacket
Sunhat
Sunglasses with floaty strap.
Suncream
Insect repellent
Towel
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We recommend arriving ready to go. There are public toilets at the launch site.
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We will provide a 10 litre dry bag to bring belongings with you on the board. You can store other items in our guide's van at your own risk, although we recommend only bringing what you need on the board.
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There aren't bathrooms en route, but there are public toilets at the start point and a few minutes walk from the end point at the train station in Pulborough.
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We paddle come rain or shine!
Whilst we hope the weather is kind to us, British weather is unpredictable. We will paddle in the rain, so please pack a rain coat if the forecast is wet.
If the weather conditions are unsafe, we will notify you as soon as possible to re-arrange your adventure.
Make sure your travel tickets are flexible in the rare instances this happens.
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Please leave the weather watching to us!
Our guides will be monitoring the weather conditions in the lead up to your session and we will be in touch if we need to cancel. (Please also see "What if it rains"!)
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Please contact the GG WhatsApp group you'll have been invited to.
We will try to accommodate you but we need to be fair to the group and we cannot guarantee we will be able to wait for you.
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Cancellations by You
You can cancel your day event booking with us at any time.
Your cancellation will be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email.
Cancellation Fees
If you cancel more than 30 days before your day event, we will refund you 50% of your payment.
If you cancel within 30 days of your day event, no refund will be given
How to Cancel
If you want to cancel your booking, send us an email with your name, details about the event that you booked and the date that the event is due to take place on.
We will confirm cancellation of your booking.
If you’re due a refund this will be facilitated and be in your account within 5-10 working days.
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As an alternative to trip cancellation we also offer the option of rescheduling. This can be done at any time on the condition that Gutsy Girls are able to fill your spot. There is a £20 admin fee for rescheduling if your spot is filled.
If we are not able to find a replacement to take your spot, then rescheduling will not be possible. Your payment is non-refundable, but no additional admin fee will be charged.
Just to note:
If you want to reschedule because the weather forecast for your event is looking like it will rain, it is highly unlikely that your spot will fill. We recommend joining us in the rain, bring a raincoat!
The sooner you notify Gutsy Girls that you want to reschedule the more likely it is that your spot will fill. Last minute rescheduling is not advised as we are unlikely to fill your spot at short notice.
How to Reschedule
If you would like to reschedule your booking, email us your name, details of the event that you've booked and the date that the event is due to take place.
Gutsy Girls will cancel your spot on our booking system and open the spot up for others to book. If another person books the spot, you will receive a credit voucher for the amount you paid, minus the £20 administration fee.
You can use your credit voucher to rebook onto any Gutsy Girls Day Event. The voucher is valid for 6 months from issue.
If you would like to use this towards the payment of a Gutsy Girls holiday, you'll need to get in touch via email.
Gutsy Girls will notify you if we are able to fill your spot.
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By booking with us, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, and the Terms and Conditions of our Provider.