Santa SUP is coming to town
The final stretch of 2025 is the season for festive events. Alongside pantos, carols, markets and ice rinks, there are alternative ways to get into the Christmas spirit. Brits do love a fancy-dress moment, so Santa runs, rides, dips and now paddles are popping up everywhere. Mix Santas, inflatable turkeys, travelling Christmas trees, jingling reindeer and a few elves pretending not to be cold with SUP and you’ve got the perfect winter icebreaker: weird, wonderful and social.
Why Santa events are popular
In London, a line of red suits drifting through streets, parks, canals or the Thames brings colour to the grey. These events are easy to join. No pressure, all fun and often raise money for good causes. No surprise that Santa SUPs have taken off. Costumes, community, cold water and a bit of wobble… it just works.
My Santa SUP story
My first Santa paddle was with Jay Jsup Manning in Canterbury in 2016. Jay’s the person behind the big Santa parades in England. They began as urban events promoting stand-up paddleboarding when the sport was still young, always with a seasonal twist — Christmas, Easter and more. A few years later, I joined an even bigger Santa parade in Cambridge, supporting a cancer charity, organised by Jsup and SUPer Whale. The BBC even covered it. Local clubs soon picked up the idea as well. Since then, I’ve been to Santa SUPs with Active360 on the Thames and in Little Venice and with Paddleboarding London on Regent’s Canal. I’m not much for costumes — just reindeer antlers for me — but a lively crowd in Santa suits and sparkle always cuts through the winter gloom. And the charity side adds an extra sense of purpose.
Join a festive paddle
If you want to join the fun on the water this year, here are some Santa SUP and New Year’s events. If you don’t have kit, ask about rentals:
| Dec 6, 2025 | Active360: Santa SUP | Kew Bridge, River Thames |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Bath Paddleboard Centre | Bath, Kennet & Avon Canal |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Dittons Paddle Boarding: Santa SUP | Guildford, Wey Navigation |
| Dec 6, 2025 | ||
| Dec 7, 2025 | Paddleboarding London: Santa SUP for RSPCA | Camden, Regent’s Canal |
| Dec 13, 2025 | Epic Life: Xmas Social Paddle & Brunch | Tonbridge, River Medway |
| Dec 14, 2025 | Stand Up Paddleboarding with Ana & Jsup: Santa SUP | Tonbridge, River Medway |
| Dec 14, 2025 | Dorset SUP Paddleboarding: Dorset SUP Santa Paddle 2025 | Tuckton, River Stour |
| Dec 20, 2025 | East of England Paddlesports: Christmas Paddle | Flatford Mill, River Stour |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Bray Lake Watersports: Santa Paddle | Bray Lake |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Paddle Richmond: Xmas Santa Paddle | Richmond, River Thames |
| Dec 26, 2025 | Dorset SUP Paddleboarding: Boxing Day Paddle 2025 | Tuckton, River Stour |
| Dec 27, 2025 | Blue Chip SUPer Club: Post Boxing Day Paddle (16th annual) | Wisley, Wey Navigation |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Dittons Paddle Boarding: New Year’s Day Paddle | Addlestone, Basingstoke Canal |
| Jan 1, 2026 | SUP @ Islington Boat Club: New Year’s Day Paddle | Islington, Regent’s Canal |
More events?
If you’re running or attending an event not listed, let me know. I’ll happily add it to the list. Share the joy with anyone who might fancy a paddle.
Happy festive paddling! Be safe.
If you’re interested in paddling in Cambridge without the Santa element, read my post about SUP on the River Cam in Cambridge.
My SUP Stories 
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