Outdoor PE lessons at sea: watersports ideas for schools
Ideas for outdoor and adventurous PE with sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing in Murcia, Spain: aims, sessions, safety and prices per pupil.
Paddle boarding
Paddle boarding in Murcia: where to go and why Mazarrón
Paddle boarding in Murcia, Spain: where to go, why Mazarrón bay is ideal for beginners, prices for tasters, courses and board hire, plus first-timer tips.
The Murcia region has two seas for paddle boarding: the Mediterranean along the Costa Cálida and the Mar Menor. If you want to learn, or simply get out on a board in calm water, the bay of Puerto de Mazarrón is one of the best options: it is sheltered by Isla de Adentro and the marina, you can paddle all year round, and from Playa de la Ermita you can reach Paco Island and the site of the Phoenician wrecks. Here is where to go, how to get started and what it costs.
Where to go paddle boarding in Murcia
Stand up paddle (SUP) works on almost any stretch of coast with calm water. In the Murcia region there are two main settings:
- The Mar Menor. A coastal lagoon of around 135 km², separated from the Mediterranean by La Manga, a 22 km sandbar. Its average depth is about 4 metres and it is the largest coastal lagoon in the western Mediterranean, according to the regional government’s Canal Mar Menor.
- The Mediterranean coast of the Costa Cálida, with bays and coves where the water is clear and the scenery changes with every stroke. This is where Puerto de Mazarrón is.
When choosing where to go, the water is not the only thing that matters: it also helps to have a school with instructors, suitable equipment and a safety boat, especially if it is your first time.
Why Mazarrón bay is ideal for paddle boarding
- Sheltered water. The school is on Playa de la Ermita (Ordenación Bahía), inside a natural bay protected by Isla de Adentro and the marina.
- Good weather almost all year. Puerto de Mazarrón has an average annual temperature of 19 ºC, around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and mild winters.
- Scenery to explore. Paddling across the bay you reach Playa de la Isla, where Phoenician ships from the 7th century BC were found, 50 metres from the shore and two and a half metres deep. You can also paddle round Isla de Adentro and take in its rock walls and cliffs.
- Surprises in the water. With luck, you may come across a pod of dolphins or spot a sunfish.
- Safety. A safety boat is on the water all day, and the school provides the life jacket, which is compulsory.
The trip to Paco Island
This is the board trip we run from the school:
- Set off from Playa de la Ermita (the bay).
- Follow the coastline to the area of the Phoenician ship, with a short explanation of its history.
- Reach the small unspoilt cove on Paco Island, where we take a break to see its plants and wildlife.
- Paddle right round the island, if sea conditions allow.
- Return to the starting point to share the experience and recover our energy.
How to get started: taster, course or hire
There is an option for every level. All of them include the equipment.
| Option | Who it suits | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taster session | Your first time: learn the basics and give it a go | 2 hours | €25 |
| Course | You want the technique to go out on your own | 4 hours | €45 |
| Board hire | You can already handle a board | By the hour | From €10 |
| Paco Island trip | You want to explore the coast with an instructor | Ask us | Ask us |
| SUP-Pilates | You enjoy yoga or Pilates | 2 days a week, fortnight | €40 |
The taster session and the course run Monday to Sunday, all year round. You can combine them with other activities at the school.
What you learn on the course
- Getting to know and preparing the equipment; handling the board and the paddle.
- Progression techniques on the sea.
- Manoeuvres, getting on and off, and what to do when you fall.
- Safety and prevention.
- Respecting the environment and discovering the Mediterranean coast, its hidden corners, wildlife and plants.
Paddle board hire prices
| Paddle board | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board and paddle | €10 | €18 | €25 |
The life jacket is included. For more than three hours, ask the school for a price.
Which boards you learn on
The school’s boards are NSP, wide and stable, and are chosen to suit each person’s weight and level:
| Board | Length | Width | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSP 10’2” | 259 cm | 81.2 cm | Learning, yoga and teaching SUP |
| NSP 10’6” | 269 cm | 73.6 cm | People under 68 kg or with more experience |
| NSP 11’0” | 279 cm | 78.7 cm | Every level |
| NSP 11’6” | 294 cm | 83.8 cm | People of around 80 kg who are learning |
They are longer, wider and lighter than a surfboard, which is why they feel so stable.
Tips for your first time paddle boarding
- Requirement: you need to be able to swim.
- What to bring: swimwear and water shoes, sun cream, a cap, a spare T-shirt and, if you have them, sunglasses. The school provides all the technical equipment.
- Start on your knees if balancing is tricky, and stand up once you feel steady. Your instructor will show you the right stance and stroke to avoid injury.
- Check the wind before you go. Wind and currents make paddling harder work: if in doubt, ask at the school.
- Paddle inside the bay first and save longer trips for when you feel confident.
- Respect the island and its wildlife, and take all your rubbish home.
Can you go paddle boarding in winter?
Yes. The taster session and the course run all year round. In winter the school opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00; in summer, Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go paddle boarding in Murcia? On the Mar Menor and all along the Mediterranean coast of the Costa Cálida. In Puerto de Mazarrón, Grímpola runs taster sessions, courses, trips and board hire from Playa de la Ermita.
How much is a paddle boarding lesson in Mazarrón? The 2-hour taster session costs €25 and the 4-hour course €45, with equipment included.
How much does it cost to hire a paddle board? €10 for one hour, €18 for two hours and €25 for three hours, life jacket included.
Is paddle boarding difficult? No. The boards are wide and stable, and in the taster session you learn the basic concepts and manoeuvres in a controlled, safe setting. You will be surprised how easy and fun it is to move across the water on the board.
Can I bring children? Check the minimum age with the school before booking. If you are looking for a summer watersports activity for them, have a look at the kids’ sailing camps too.
You might also like: Sea kayaking in Mazarrón: Paco Island and Phoenician wrecks · Watersports for the whole family
