Why Paddleboarding is the Ultimate Team Building Activity.

First Technology Team Day 2025

Organisations - whether companies, charities or groups - are a fascinating social structure; a melting pot of different personality types, skills, experience, motivations and energy levels.   Which is why finding a universally suitable team building activity can feel so difficult.  You want your people to feel challenged - but not scared, included - but not forced and to remember this day as a positive experience. 

And then there is the Why?  What do you, as an organisation, want to achieve from investing in a team building activity – is this just a fun way to wind down (we’re all for that), or are you aligning this activity with company goals and objectives with a measurable outcome?

Here are four key reasons we believe that Stand Up Paddleboarding is the ultimate team building activity:

It’s Outdoors

Spend any amount of time outside and you instantly feel your shoulders drop and your breath soften as your cortisol levels reduce and nature, our greatest healer, does its work.  Add in the soothing effects of being near water and you have the perfect recipe to promote physical and mental wellness in your employees.  On a paddleboard, your perspective changes as you are encouraged to look around you, to be aware of the water, your place on the board and your surroundings. 

It Builds Trust

This shift of state from indoors to outside, from the stability of the land, to the balance of the paddleboard also affects our communication.  Conversation flows easier when we are side by side, it’s less confrontational, and paddleboarding is a great leveller meaning that some of the usual restrictions melt away and discussion becomes deeper and more honest.

It’s Fun

Paddleboarding is a bit silly really – here we are, grown adults, standing on a floating board, working hard to keep our balance – daring ourselves to not fall in.   As confidence grows you might risk turning round to watch your colleague, or trying a step back turn or another trick that your instructor has demonstrated.  You will laugh, you’ll feel daft and you’ll revel in the joy of a shared experience with your colleagues once you’re all back on dry land.

It’s for Everyone

You don’t have to be athletic or sporty to be a paddleboarder.  You can do it on your knees, sitting down or standing up, you will still feel the benefits and freedom of floating around on the water.  Most people surprise themselves at how quickly they go from kneeling to standing, but there is never any pressure to do so, our Instructors are there to encourage and teach but never force!  Of course, if you’re up for a challenge and want races, games & tricks – we’re there for that too!

The SUP Life have two bases on the River Thames – The Swan at Streatley and The Great House in Sonning.  Both hotels have attractive riverside event spaces, meeting rooms and bedrooms.  Coppa Club provide all day dining so whether you’re looking for an activity and a meal as a company incentive or a full multi day offsite experience, there is a solution.

We have hosted many team SUP events at both hotels from peaceful early morning paddles to post meeting games and races.  We’ve guided small Senior Leadership Teams on adventure days and hosted 30minute taster sessions for full company days out.  

Speak to us, if you you’d like to discover what paddleboarding can do for your team, we’d love to work with you. hello@thesuplife.co.uk

The Swan at Streatley