Rudyard Lake is a superb location for stand-up paddleboarding. At over 2.5 miles long, it has some of the most dramatic scenery in Staffordshire Moorlands and a hugely varied shore with open farmland at one end, inlets to explore, the railway down one side and the earth dam where the lake feeds the local canal system for which the lake was built.
Paddleboarding was introduced to Rudyard Lake Sailing Club 2020 and we have over 100 members.
If you are interested in paddleboarding, why not take advantage of our reduced "Other Sports" membership rates and
Join up today?
If you are interested in a 1 hour 'Discover SUP session at the club before committing to joining, please contact our SUP rep, Kim on sup@rudyardlakesc.org.uk
SUP FAQs
Q. Can I launch for the day without joining the club ?
* No, you have to be a club member to launch. Day tickets are only available from the
Rudyard Lake Trust visitor centre at the dam end of the lake. See their website for booking details and costs.
Q. How much is membership ?
* If you only want to SUP ONLY then you can join as 'Other Sports' member. Please see the membership page for price as you can join as family, or single adult, though if you are under 25, a young person sailing membership is more cost effective. If you decide sailing is of interest too, you can upgrade your membership.
** Membership is from April 2026 to March 2027 and will be pro rata rates**
***Please note that the club currently limits Other Sports memberships to a maximum of 40% of the total volume of members. Your Other Sports membership application may be placed in a queue if this limit has been temporarily reached.***
****If you want to SUP and sail then you have to join as a sailing member.****
Q. What do I get for my membership ?
* You get the following with club membership
* Access to the lake, 7 days a week (unless a private event has booked the whole club)
* You can paddle during the daylight hours but must be off the water before it is dark
* Car parking and rigging with 10m of the shore.
* Use of the clubhouse within the guidelines / rules of the club. All members can purchase a key (£50 deposit) but must be responsible for full lock up if it is out of cafe hours or no other members are present.
Q. Why SUP membership ?
* The SUP rates per month are competitive compared to day launches at other lakes and sites. It is family friendly site to bring family and guests, with a small area in the cafe with books and toys for younger kids, a pool table, and table tennis available to use. Members are encouraged to suggest social activities such as group paddles on the lake but also on canals or rivers.
* Our SUP instructor Kim is more then happy to take you around the club, go out on the water to get you started and to show you the lake, and can introduce you to other members for social paddles, please contact her directly on sup@rudyardlakesc.org.uk
Q. What facilities are there in the clubhouse ?
* Code access members changing rooms with hot showers.
* Toilets, bar, galley, extensive seating inside and on outside deck, full disability services and access, free car parking.
* Pool table and table tennis
* Use of Club BBQ, if you have been shown by a member.
* Members discount at Mini Beans Cafe.
Q. What else does the club offer?
* 6 club SUP boards, paddles and waist leashes all ready to be taken on the water, stored in the SUP store
4 x Standard 11'4" boards
2 x Larger 12'8" boards
* £5/per/day and can be booked online once you have joined as a member.
* An active social calendar throughout the year.
* Highlight include, Halloween paddle and party, Santa SUP
* Live music events - tickets at a reasonable cost with/without food
Q. Who represents the SUP members on the management committee ?
* Kim Rainthorpe is the SUP rep on the management committee and is happy to answer any further questions or can arrange an induction to show you the club and the how to with club SUP's etc.
Q. Is there on-site catering ?
* The
Mini-Beans Coffee Shop opened in April 2023, providing hot drinks, snacks, cakes and lunch items such as soup, sandwiches, oatcakes. (Members discount available - just ask the staff)
* Members are welcome to bring their own food, picnic or use your own BBQ in the members area outside.
Q. What is expected from me as a member ?
* To use the club and its facilities in a considerate and respectful way.
* To be insured (see below).
* Follow club safety rules (see below)
* To do two 'Volunteer' duties per season
* As we share the lake, SUP members should carry the club ID wrist band whilst on the water (can be obtained at the club)
* Only launch and recovery from club.
- *** When sail race and training sessions are scheduled, to SUP outside the areas being used, give way to sail boats and to use the north pontoon to launch***
- Check in with any sailor or at the club hut for further confirmation
Q. What insurance do I need ?
* All SUP members are required to have third party insurance covering all their board activities. You can have an independent policy but it is normally provided by membership of the following sports that cover SUP activities:
Q. What are the safety rules ?
* Safety of club all members is our number one concern.
- * All club members, both sailing and SUP, are required to wear a PFD/buoyancy aid whilst on the water and on the club's pontoons.
- * As Rudyard Lake is flat water, all SUP members are required to wear ankle or waist leashes.
- * Under-18 SUP members are only allowed to paddle if there is a rescue boat on duty or with an accompanying adult SUP member in the group. Please note, adults cannot supervise children from shore.
- * If paddling without safety boat cover then consider buddying up, if solo, carry your phone in a waterproof pouch and/or tell someone you know, your plans for on/off water.
Q. How do the SUP members keep in touch ?
* There is a WhatsApp group to ask questions, arrange meet ups and share photos. Please see your joining email to join or email here once you have taken out membership.
Q. Can I bring a guest to paddle ?
* Yes
* If you want to bring along friends, family or a potential new member to see the facilities and try out the lake then they are more than welcome, please sign them in at the entrance of the clubhouse
Q. Can I bring a group to paddle ?
* You can sign in a group who are non-members to come for a paddle, as long as they have their own boards or make use of your personal one while you book and use a club board.
Q. Can I store my SUP at the club ?
* Sorry there is no space, however if you park in the lower car park, boards can easily be blown up next to your car or on the lawn, just look at the calendar for busy sailing or radio sailing times
Q. Can I camp at the club ?
* No, sorry. There are no camping facilities on site.
Q. Who represents the SUP members on the management committee ?
* Kim Rainthorpe is the SUP rep on the management committee.
Q. Can I learn to paddleboard at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club ?
* Yes, once you are a member, the club has a trained SUP Instructor offering both beginner and improver sessions to be arranged directly with Kim.
Q. Can I hire a SUP at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club ?
* We have six SUPs which when not needed for courses are available for hiring to club members. Club boards are NOT hired out to non-members. Book online for availability.
Q. How can do I join ?
* Create an account here
* Login to your account
* Join and choose 'Other Sports' membership.
**Applications may take some time to process or may be on hold if 'Other Sports' Membership numbers are at capacity.**
***Please be patient and look out for any emails from the membership secretary or contact Kim directly.***
