Days Out NI
Water sports Portballintrae

Surf Sup NI

NI's first SUP school, on calm harbour water beside the Giant's Causeway.

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SeasonalWarmer months; weather-, wind- and tide-d…
£40Book ahead
PortballintraeWater sports
Get directionsOfficial website
£40Cost
Warmer months;…Season
Children from a…Best for
Portballintrae…Launches
NearbyParking

Surf Sup NI — NI's first SUP school, on calm harbour water beside the Giant's Causeway.

  • What you can do: Beginner SUP lessons, progression sessions, summer SUPfaris, SUP-and-yoga, group/team bookings.
  • Public access: Open to the public - book a lesson or course.
  • Booking: Essential - book ahead online.
  • Age / ability: Children from around age 9 per reviews; basic swimming ability and water confidence expected.
  • Kit provided: Wetsuit, booties, buoyancy aid and paddleboard provided.
  • Season: Warmer months; weather-, wind- and tide-dependent.
Plan your visit

Learn to paddleboard on calm harbour water

This is a school you book a lesson with, not a self-hire beach. The two-hour introductory lesson is built for first-timers, working you up from lying to kneeling to standing on a wide, forgiving board, with an ISA-accredited instructor and a small group (around eight per instructor). Wetsuit, booties, buoyancy aid and paddleboard are all provided, so you just bring swimwear and a towel. Past the intro there are progression sessions, summer SUPfaris, SUP-with-yoga and team or group bookings. Reviews suggest children from about nine can take part, and basic swimming ability and water confidence are expected. The sheltered harbour at Portballintrae gives calm, beginner-friendly water.

SUP lessons Kit provided Beginners welcome Book ahead Seasonal Portballintrae harbour
Good to know before you go:

Operators like this run kids' summer sessions, SUPfaris, taster and progression days and seasonal SUP-and-yoga; sessions are weather- and tide-dependent, so check their own pages for current dates, bookings and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.
  • 🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.
  • 💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.
  • 🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) school
What you can do
Beginner SUP lessons, progression sessions, summer SUPfaris, SUP-and-yoga, group/team bookings
Public access
Open to the public - book a lesson or course
Booking
Essential - book ahead online
Age / ability
Children from around age 9 per reviews; basic swimming ability and water confidence expected
Kit provided
Wetsuit, booties, buoyancy aid and paddleboard provided
Season
Warmer months; weather-, wind- and tide-dependent
Cost
Beginner two-hour lessons around £40pp and group rates reported online - check current prices with the operator
Launches from
Portballintrae harbour, near Bushmills
Parking
Parking around the harbour and village
Address
Portballintrae, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8RR
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Essential - book ahead online
How much is it?
Beginner two-hour lessons around £40pp and group rates reported online - check current prices with the operator
When does it run?
Warmer months; weather-, wind- and tide-dependent
Getting there

Surf Sup NI launches from Portballintrae harbour, near Bushmills. Parking around the harbour and village. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About the operator

Surf Sup NI describes itself as Northern Ireland's first SUP-surf school, operating from Portballintrae harbour beside the Giant's Causeway with ISA-accredited coaching. It is led by John, who has been instructing sport for around 20 years and focuses on small, friendly groups and a safe, progressive learning experience.

The harbour setting is regularly described as one of the safest places on the North Coast to learn to paddleboard, and reviewers consistently praise the structured beginner teaching and quick progress for first-timers.