Try SUP - Stand Up Paddleboarding in Cork, Ireland
SUP Class
Have you tried SUP?!
Take to the water on one of our stand up paddleboards. Our experienced and professional instructors will guide you through your first SUP experience. Fully experience the coastline in a way you’ve never seen before.
SUP Yoga
A unique way to explore your focus and balance. Unplug from the world. Take a deep breath of fresh ocean air, and connect with nature while the ocean gently laps at your board…
…and try not to fall in!
What is SUP?
SUP is short for Stand Up Paddleboard, a watersport which combines the sport of surfing with a paddlesport such as kayaking. A truly unique way to experience the tranquility of the water.
The best thing about SUP is anybody can do it. If you’re nervous, start on your knees! As you build confidence you can stand up and develop your technique and balance. If it’s your thing then eventually you can take to the waves. If not, then there is no better spot than the Courtmacsherry coastline to explore the beauty of West Cork.
Join the community
The Stand Up Paddleboard community is growing in Cork and Ireland. SUP is a relatively new sport but has become very popular, and you’ll find many paddleboarders on the oceans and rivers of Cork. If you’re in the city, then the River Lee is a great place to start, parking up at the lee fields and accessing the river via the slipway. Paddle upstream on the gently flowing river, away from Cork city as there is a weir a couple hundred metres downstream.
If you’re in West Cork and want to hit some waves, then Inchydoney or Garretstown are popular spots.
FAQ
Is SUP safe?
Yes, stand up paddleboarding is safe if you take the necessary precautions. First and foremost, check the conditions, and understand how they will affect the particular area you wish to go out on. Wear a leash so you can't become separated from your board. Learn the basic skills with a qualified instructor.
Should I buy an inflateable sup or a hard board?
There are many benefits to the inflatables. Modern designs mean they perform better than you would imagine, and they are more durable and hard wearing than hard boards. A small knock against a hard surface such as a stone or a roof rack will do serious damage to a hard board, but not an inflatable. Inflatable SUPs are also much lighter, and easier to transport as they can be deflated and put in a small car.
however if you get into wave paddleboarding, then we would recommend the higher performance hard boards.
How can I try out stand up paddleboarding?
At Gecko you can try a beginner class, or go straight for a rental. If you would like to rent a SUP, our instructors will go through all of the basics with you as well as assess the conditions and tell you where it's safe to go.