The rain seems to never let up here in Bristol. We’re lucky to get a stretch of dry days in summer and even less in Winter. Seeing as we’re already wet, why not try your hand at some of the amazing water-sports and water activities in Bristol, either in or close to the city. That way it won’t matter how much it rains!
Here is a good selection of water activities some for the brave ones, and others for those who prefer a leisurely afternoon looking at the water instead of joining in!
Stand-up Paddleboarding
If you’ve never tried paddle-boarding before, it’s one of those activities that you’ll love or hate, and it takes a LOT of practice to master. Essentially, paddle-boarding is standing upright on a surfboard and propelling yourself forward with a long-handled paddle. If you try it in Bristol, you’ll get the opportunity to see the Floating Harbour from a truly unique angle.
The best company to help you learn, or to catch you when you fall, is the award-winning SUP Bristol. Their expert and enthusiastic instructors show you the ropes, tailoring your experience to your budget, experience and time constraints. They also have good changing facilities, hot shower facilities for a hot shower afterwards, a secure place to leave your bags and high-quality wetsuits & equipment available to all.
Canoeing
Canoeing, while it is physically demanding, doesn’t require as much balance or skill as SUP. You can enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the river, taking in the sights and challenging your upper body.
You can enjoy the activity in a one, two or three-man canoe making it a really fun choice for couples and groups. You can also head out alone, but for first-timers we recommend a fully guided tour with Adventurous Activity Company so you can learn the basics. Their Bristol Harbourside base is close to the city centre, just a 10-minutes from PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Bristol and they offer a range of water-based activities, not just canoeing.
The Wave
Recently opened, and long-awaited, The Wave has finally arrived in Bristol! This 200-metre long surf lake is a bit of a trek (almost a 30-minutes’ drive door to door) but it gives users a unique chance to ride perfect waves year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
Wave Garden Cove technology – the first of its kind in the world – provides consistent waves ranging from 50cm to 1.8m high, meaning both complete beginners and experienced surfers can get on the water and enjoy a session that matches their ability. If you don’t fancy getting wet, there is a great café on the grounds, with delicious food and a view of the lake.
Bristol Lido
Originally a Victorian outdoor swimming pool, Bristol Lido dates back to 1850 and is still a great place to relax and enjoy a dip. The Lido (meaning open-air swimming) has a 24-metre pool which is heated at 20-24 degrees so perfect swimming conditions are guaranteed, whenever you visit.
They also have a sauna, steam room, hot tub, restaurant, poolside bar and a top-class spa so you could spend the day at the Lido and not have to swim at all! Non-members are welcome to swim on weekday afternoons but bear in mind, it can be quite busy on hot days.
Bristol Ferry Boats
If you don’t feel like dipping your toes in at all, you can still enjoy Bristol river activities like boat trips. Let someone else do all the hard work when you enjoy a trip on-board a Bristol Ferry Boat. These unique tours are ideal for those wanting to see the city and river from a different perspective.
As well as their usual ferry services, Bristol Ferry Boats regularly run themed trips such as a live music trip, a wildlife gorge experience and a Brunel-themed tour. Bristol Ferry Boats has also provided a water bus service for over 40 years where visitors can hop on and off at 14 different docks.
Author Bio: Sarah Corcoran is a full-time travel blogger, which means writing adventures, travel spots, and accommodation reviews is her bread and butter. She currently writes for PREMIER SUITES Bristol Redcliffe, one of leading serviced apartments in the city.
