THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Paddle 15KM along England’s historic River Stort on this guided SUP safari from Harlow to Sawbridgeworth. Navigate ten lock portages and enjoy a riverside coffee break at The Shed Coffee House amid old malting houses.
Paddle 15KM along England’s historic River Stort on this guided SUP safari from Harlow to Sawbridgeworth. Navigate ten lock portages and enjoy a riverside coffee break at The Shed Coffee House amid old malting houses.
Book with Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club · Thames Ditton, England
Discover the charm of southern England’s River Stort on the Stort Navigation Safari, a 15-kilometer paddleboarding adventure that weaves history, nature, and a rewarding physical challenge into one unforgettable excursion. Launched as a round-trip journey between Harlow and Sawbridgeworth, this safari offers paddlers the rare opportunity to explore a canalised waterway lined by heritage malting houses and tranquil landscapes. Located just north of London in Essex, this stretch is an unexpected haven for stand-up paddleboarders seeking a balance between peaceful paddling and engaging obstacles like ten lock portages. These locks offer a hands-on chance to interact with the region’s waterway history while testing your portability skills between stretches of smooth water.
The journey begins at Burnt Mill Lock in Harlow, a town known for its post-war urban design and proximity to green spaces, setting the perfect scene for adventure. As you glide downriver, the riverbanks reveal the quiet beauty of old warehouses and malting houses, particularly around the halfway point, where The Shed Coffee House invites you to rest and refuel amid an authentic riverside setting. This unique stop adds a sociable twist to your day, combining local culture with your outdoor experience. Paddle UK qualified leaders guide the safari, lending informal coaching to enhance your paddling technique and ensure safety along the way.
Though the route is accessible to paddlers aged 14 and above who are fit and competent enough to self-rescue and manage the lock portages, it remains a challenging three and a half hours plus effort, ideal for intermediate paddlers. The flat water of the canalised river is countered by the physical demands of portaging your board and navigating locks, making this a fresh alternative to crowded ocean or lake paddles.
As part of the paddling community in this historic region, the Stort Navigation Safari highlights the river’s ecological and cultural value, emphasizing sustainable recreation and respect for one another on the water. Equipment hire is available with prior arrangement, making this a convenient option for visitors traveling light or newcomers eager to try the sport without owning gear. Whether you’re based in nearby Harlow or Sawbridgeworth or visiting from London, this safari offers an accessible day out with a distinctive English riverside atmosphere. Bring quick-drying layers, expect versatile weather, and prepare for a day punctuated by wide skies, quiet waters, and the distinctive rhythm of lock portages on one of England’s lesser-known paddling gems.
Yes, participants should be competent paddlers with the ability to self-rescue and comfortable managing 15KM with lock portages.
Equipment hire is available but must be booked in advance via email or phone.
It starts and finishes at Burnt Mill Lock car park in Harlow, Essex.
Yes, The Shed Coffee House offers a break near Sawbridgeworth, roughly halfway along the route.
Bring your own SUP gear or book hire, water, snacks, suitable clothing, footwear for portages, and a dry bag for valuables.
Participants must be at least 14 years old; under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club runs paddle boarding sessions, socials, hires and multi-day trips across the River Thames, River Medway and local canals. The club offers 1.5-hour Beginner and Improver sessions by Hampton Court designed for newcomers and developing paddlers; the Beginner Session explicitly includes launching, paddling and self-rescue instruction from a qualified coach. Participants may bring their own board or use hire equipment where available. Social paddles meet regularly in Thames Ditton (launching from The Albany Pub), Kingston and Weybridge with two-hour evening routes and a Sunday afternoon peer social for competent paddlers. The club also organises themed and charity events — including the Pink Paddle on the Basingstoke Canal supporting Cancer Research UK, a Halloween Paddle and Party, and a Santa SUP in Guildford. Multi-day and specialist trips include the River Medway Weekend with camping options and several canal and river safaris (for example River Brent & Grand Union Canal, Stort Navigation, and the Limehouse Loop including the Olympic Park). Paddleboard hire is available near Hampton Court Palace with flexible rental durations and opportunities to explore islands, beaches and waterside pubs. Safety and community are central: sessions teach rescue techniques and turning strokes, socials encourage shared routes and group decision-making, and weekend trips combine camping with guided paddling. All descriptions are factual representations of the club’s published sessions, events and hire offerings.
Book with Dittons Paddle Boarding - Club
