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Watersports in Dorset

This guide is sponsored by Rockley Watersports

Surfing Snorkelling and Scuba Diving Kitesurfing and Windsurfing Kayaking and Canoeing Paddleboarding

With miles and miles of stunning coastline, a number of large lakes and a wealth of watersports clubs and facilities in Dorset, you're in the right place to have some fun in the water.

Whether you want to experience the tranquility of paddle boarding in Dorset or the rush of kite surfing, sailing and surfing (when the conditions allow of course), Dorset is the place to be.

Both Rockley Point, and Poole Park Activity Centre offer a range of fantastic watersports courses, watersports to hire and kids classes for you to enjoy.

If you can't wait to get your kids on the water, there are a number of kids watersports clubs in Dorset, plus tuition centres and plenty of options for kids holiday watersports camps too so you'll be able to get them confident and ready to join you in no time.

After a physically demanding day of watersports, or if you’re a beginner, it’s essential to pay attention to your body's signals. Parkstone Chiropractic Clinic offer excellent sports massages!

Surfing

About: Dorset's Jurassic Coast is famous for having some of the best beaches in the country. If you're a surfer in Dorset or looking for a day trip of surfing and watersports fun - then Dorset has many options! The Dorset coastline is saturated with many great baeches, perfect for hitting the waves. If you're more of a experienced surfer, then this will be great for you! If you're looking for more assistance and to learn, then Dorset is famous for surfing schools!

Surfing Classes: Shaka Surf, based on Branksome Dene Beach offer all kinds of Surfing and SUP classes! Shaka Surf's instructors are all fully qualified and have a huge passion for helping individuals feel safe in the ocean. They offer surfing and stand-up paddle boarding lessons which provide you with core skills that will help you get confident for when you go out on the water. Teaching you important skills such as; how to paddle, improving your stamina and various pop-up techniques.

Read More: You can find a full, in-depth guide of Surfing spots in Dorset here at our Top 24 Beaches for Surfing in Dorset.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

About: Sea Snorkelling in Dorset is a great way to take advantage of the Jurassic Coast and take in the views whilst Snorkelling! Snorkelling is very popular along the Dorset coastline.

Snorkelling Classes: Snorkelling classes can be found across Studland Bay, Swanage Pier, Kimmeridge, Old Harry Rocks, Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove and more. A variety of Watersports companies offer classes across these locations, ranging from £5-£50 for different experiences.

Read More: You can find a full, in-depth guide of Snorkelling spots in Dorset here at our Top 10 Places to Snorkel in Dorset.

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

About: Dorset is home to some of the best wind and kitesurfing spots in the UK. If you're looking for the best Advance Kitesurfing spots in Dorset then Portland and Weymouth are famous for the sports - even going as far as to play host to the Olympians in 2012.

For more beginner friendly locations and beaches; then Poole is a great spot. With both rental spots, courses and flat waters - Poole is perfect for families and those starting out in the sport.

Poole Park offer their RYA Youth Start Windsurfing Course for those aged 8-16 years old.

Meanwhile, Rockley Point Activity Centre allow Windsurfing rentals; £30 for 1 hour on the water!

Read More: You can find a full, in depth guide of Kitesurfing and Windsurfing Spots in Dorset here.

Kayaking and Canoeing

About: There's so much coastline to enable you to enjoy some fun on a kayak or canoe in Poole. Poole plays host to a number of places that provide kayak hire and lessons, one of our favourites is South Coast Adventures.

If you're feeling more adventurous, why not book a guided tour around Brownsea Island or any of the other islands with an experienced guide through South Coast Adventures via Sea Kayak or Sit On Top Kayak. You can even go to Old Harry Rock's with their Sea Kayak Adventure days, you'll be able to see a lot, so it's well worth doing.

They provide the following activities:

Climbing Wall - £10 p/p per 30 mins.
The Cave - £5 p/p for 2 rounds.
Paddleboarding - Lessons are £25 p/p for 2 hours and hires cost £10 p/p per hour.
Kayaking - Lessons are £25 p/p for 2 hours and hires cost £10 p/p per hour.

Book online to ensure your space!

Read More: You can find a full, in-depth guide of Canoeing and Kayaking spots in Dorset here at our Canoeing and Kayaking in Dorset guide.

Paddleboarding

About: Paddleboarding has been becoming increasingly popular and in Dorset, you can enjoy both the tranquility of paddleboarding and even a spot of paddleboard yoga on the calm waters, or you can have some good fun paddleboarding when there's a bit of a swell on Poole's coastline.

Paddleboard Hire and Schools:

Rockley Watersports and Buddens Activity Centre both provide paddleboarding hire, alongside their team buildiing Mega SUP!

Poole Park Activity Centre offer their Stand Up Paddleboard Taster Session for 1 hour at £27. Alongside this, they also offer general rentals.

Read More: You can find a full in-depth guide of Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Dorset, here.