Loch Ken – Learn to Stand-Up Paddleboard in a Sheltered Bay
A few hours.
The route
Loch Ken's sheltered bay at the Galloway Activity Centre is a calm place to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time.
An instructor fits your paddle, shows you how to balance, turn and climb back on, and then takes you for a short paddle round the bay. It suits beginners from about eight.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Paddleboard lesson at the Galloway Activity Centre
Book the half-day paddleboard lesson at the Galloway Activity Centre online or on 01556 502011 before you go, 9am to noon or 1pm to 4pm, £65 a head at the time of writing, paid when booking and not refundable; lessons run most of the year, so in winter ask whether yours is on.
The day
Loch Ken
Three hours learning to stand, steer and fall off gracefully in a quiet bay, finishing with a short paddle on the loch.
About three and a half hours
Galloway Activity Centre
The Galloway Activity Centre is on Loch Ken at Parton, 10 miles north of Castle Douglas on the A713 (DG7 3NQ). From Monday to Saturday the 520 bus from outside Castle Douglas swimming pool drops you at the top of the drive. The half-day paddleboard lesson runs from 9am to noon or from 1pm to 4pm, kitting up included, and costs £65 a head at the time of writing with the board, paddle, wetsuit and buoyancy aid. Your instructor measures you for a paddle, shows you round the board and teaches you to get on and off, the strokes and your balance, then takes you on a short trip round the bay. Bring swimwear, a towel and old trainers or wetshoes that fasten round the heel. As a guide it's for ages 8 and over, and children under 10 will likely want an adult with them; ring 01556 502011 if you're unsure. Lessons run most of the year, out in all weathers, and must be booked and paid ahead, with no refunds. Afterwards, the Waterfront Café in the glass-fronted clubhouse does breakfasts, refreshments and home-made brownies.
If it rains
Lessons go out in all weathers in a wetsuit; wind makes it harder, and if the booked activity can't run the centre offers another. The clubhouse café is indoors.
Make it a weekend
More days out in Dumfries and Galloway.
Photograph by Laura Nickel via Google