FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cancellations

How do I cancel my booking?

Cancellations can be made within 14 days of the booking will be charged 50% of the hire charge and refunded the balance via the means of payment within 3-5 working days from when cancellation was confirmed with The Paddle Centre. If cancelling your booking within 48 hours of the start of the booking then the costs will be chargd in full.



Under what circumstances would The Paddle Centre cancel a booking?

Our priority is your safe use of our hire equipment and during instructor led activities. To ensure we can achieve this and for our insurance purposes we constantly assess the prevailing weather and tidal conitions. On occasion it may be deemed by The Paddle Centres management that activities have to be restricted or postponed due to this. If a postponement of your booked activity is deemed necessary we will give you as much notice as possible and you will be offered alternative dates. If we cannot agree upon a convenient alternative date and time, any monies paid for your activity will be refunded in full within 3-5 working days. Please not that The Paddle Centre is not liable for any losses incurred due to the cancellation of a booking such as travel expences etc. We also reserve the right not to allow anyone access to our site/equipment at our discretion for things like too much alcohol consumption.



What if the weather is bad?

At The Paddle Centre we only offer outdoor activities and as we are based in the UK, weather can be changeable at the best of times. Winds in excess of 20mph, gusting to 30mph and/or heavy rain will see us cancel beginner lessons and hire.



General FAQ's

Are there any age restrictions to hiring from you?

Yes, our insurance only allows us to offer hire SUPs and Single Kayaks to those who are 12 years old and over. For our Double kayaks the minium age is 8 years old when accompanied in the craft by an adult. Anyone hiring under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied on the water by a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old and who is also hiring either a Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak from The Paddle Centre within the same time frame.



Do you supply bouyancy aids?

Yes, we supply bouyancy aids as part of your hire from us. Everyone who goes on one of our Paddleboards or on one of our sit on top Kayaks must wear it prior to taking to the water and during their session time. We will fit you with these before you go afloat.



What should I wear Kayaking?

If joining us for a sit on top kayak session or hire we would advise against wearing jeans, heavy weight cotton or material trousers. Lightweight clothes and layers are the order of the day. While it is unlikely you will fall in, there is a high chance that you will end up with a damp bottom due to the seat of the kayak collecting some water during your session. Suitable footwear to walk from our base to the water is advisable as it is mainly gravel and can be a little uncomfortable with bare feet. Flip flops are a great choice. Once on your kayak you may choose to remove and store these or keep them on. When sunny be sure to remember sun cream, a hat and sunglasses (a retaining cord for your sunglasses is recommended as they don't tend to float!) We recommend bringing a spare change of clothes and a towel for after your session just incase they are needed. We having changing rooms and toilet facilities onsite.



What should I wear Stand Up Paddleboarding?

If you are joining us for a sit on top kayak session or hire we recommend wearing lightweight clothes and ideally shorts or leggings paired with a short or long sleeve t-shirt. On cooler days it is advisable to bring a fleece top or light jumper. Suitable footwear to walk from our base to the water is advisable as it is mainly gravel and can be a little uncomfortable with bare feet. Flip flops are a great choice. Once on your Paddleboard you can remove these and store them under the bungees on the board. Bare feet when paddling make it easier to stand on the board as it gives you a more connected feeling. When sunny be sure to remember suncream, a hat and sunglasses (a retaining cord for your sunglasses is recommended as they do not float!) We recommend bringing a spare change of clothes and a towel for after your session just incase they are needed.



Will I fall in?

While we cannot guarantee you will stay dry, in our experience, it is less likely when on one of our beginner sessions (unless we are having fun and splashing around), that you will fall in. We use the best inflatable paddleboards on the market, which are very stable and give you the very best experience possible for you to learn on. The conditions at Swanwick are sheltered which makes it a great place to learn to SUP and Kayak. Trying to keep kids out of the water however is a different challenge altogether!



I cannot swim, can I still hire from you?

Everyone participating should be able to swim 50 metres.



Do I have to pre-book my hire?

We do welcome and accept walk in's for hire, however we would always recommend booking in advance to ensure that we have equipment available for you. Pre-booking is almost essential during peak times such as weekends and during sunny periods.



How far can we paddle?

We are based on the River Hamble at Premier Marinas Swanwick. You may choose to paddle up the River to Universal Marina, or the opposite way to Manor Farm Country Park. Alternatively, you may just like to enjoy a leisurely paddle to the Jolly Sailor Pub and back. Please be aware that there is limited landing once past the country park. Our team can happliy advise you if you need any advice on distances suitable for your ability and experience. It is important to note that you must return to the centre once your alloted hire session is complete as this could impact other users from accessing the water. If you run over your booked time period, we are permitted to charge you.



Can I paddle with my dog?

While we love household pets, we are afraid we cannot offer access to our hire equipment or lessons for those wishing to share their experience on the water with their furry best friend.



Can we take a picnic with us?

Absolutely! Nothing is better than a picnic on the river bank and we would be happy to advise on suitable locations (as some of the river bank is private access only). Both our sit on top kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards have areas you can store bags in or under. We would of course strongly recommend that your goods are stored in a waterproof bag of some kind so that your lunch remains dry.



Where is the nearest place to park?

We have a dedicated free car park onsite that is solely for the use of our customers. Just make sure you give your registration at the time of signing in for your session. There is also a public car park that neighbours our site if you have friends and family coming to watch or join you for refreshments afterwards.



Do you have changing rooms on site?

Yes, we have two single occupancy unisex changing rooms next to our centre which are available to use for customers. We also have toilet facilities onsite.



Do you have somewhere I can leave my belongings while I am out on the water?

Yes, we have lockers in The Paddle Centre hub that are free to use.



Do you sell Stand Up Paddleboards?

Great question! Yes we do. To ensure our fleet of SUP's remain up to date and the best of quality we do replace our paddleboards which means we do offer ex-hire boards for sale at certain points in the year. We also work closely with The SUP Company based in Southampton and cannot recommend them highly enough. They have a huge test centre with lots of different paddleboards, paddles, accessories and clothing. You can learn more about The SUP Company on their website www.thesupco.com.



Do you sell Sit On Top Kayaks?

Yes we do, we want to make sure all of our Sit On Top Kayaks are up to date and of great quality. To ensure this we occasionally throughout the year release models for sale via our Facebook page. Be sure to go and like our Facebook to make sure you get all of the updates - www.facebook.com/thepaddlecentreuk.



What if the weather is bad?

At The Paddle Centre we only offer outdoor activities and as we are based in the UK, weather can be changeable at the best of times. Winds in excess of 20mph, gusting to 30mph and/or heavy rain will see us cancel beginner lessons and hire. We will telephone all booked customers should we have to make cancellations due to the weather.



Memberships

If I am a member how do I book?

Our Members can book online as normal. Make sure you are logged in to get the benifits of your membership.



What benifits do I get with my membership?

The following is included within our memberships: - Unlimited Stand Up Paddleboard / Single Kayak Hire - Unlimited touring Sup Hire - 50% off Double Kayak Hire - 25% off Sup Yoga and Fitness deck sessions - Membership exclusive events - Hire Induction - Introductory session (contact us to book) - Free onsite parking - No Joining fee - Private Facebook members community - 10% off refreshments - 2 guest passes* * T&C's Apply.



Is there a minimum term?

Yes there is a minimum of 2 months on pay monthly memberships.



How do I cancel my membership?

To discuss canceling your pay monthly memberhisp please email us at: info@thepaddlecentre.co.uk



When and how can I get my Guest passes?

Guest Passes are available to members after 3 months membership. Each guest pass is valid for 1 hour To book your guests please email us at info@thepaddlecentre.co.uk with the requested time, craft and contact details for your guest. We will then reply to confirm the booking.