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Castlewellan: SUP & Splash Experience
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From €40 per person
Castlewellan Lake sits in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains, sheltered by ancient forest with a fairytale castle overlooking the water. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in Northern Ireland - and it also happens to be a perfect place to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time.
The team at the lakeside centre takes care of everything before you step onto the water. You’ll be kitted out with a top-of-the-range SUP board, wetsuit, buoyancy aid, paddle, and all the accessories you need. After a friendly introduction to the basics - balance, paddling technique, what to do if you fall in - you’re free to explore at your own pace.
Stay and splash around in the calm waters of Castle Bay if you want a relaxed session, or venture further along the Lake Trail where the views of the mountains and forest really open up. The sheltered conditions make this far less daunting than paddleboarding on open water, which is part of why it works so well for people who’ve never tried it before.
This one suits families, couples, solo adventurers, and groups of friends equally well. When you’re done on the water, warm showers and changing rooms are waiting at the centre.
Don’t let the “stand-up” part put you off. Most people expect paddleboarding to be harder than it is, and then find themselves standing and moving within a few minutes of getting on the water. The boards are wide and stable, the lake is calm, and falling in is far less dramatic than it sounds - the wetsuit keeps you warm.
The Castle Bay area near the start is genuinely beautiful to float around in. Even if you don’t venture far along the Lake Trail, just drifting around with the castle and the mountains in view is a lovely way to spend an hour. There’s no pressure to push yourself further than you want to go.
Go when the light is good if you can. Morning sessions on a clear day give you that golden light on the Mourne Mountains that you’ll want to photograph. The forest reflections on the water are also something else when the conditions are right.
Castlewellan Forest Park is well worth exploring before or after your session. The arboretum is one of the finest in Ireland, the walled garden is beautifully kept, and the castle itself (which is privately owned and not open to the public) adds a dramatic backdrop to the whole place. Build in an extra hour if you can.
Combine it with the Canadian Canoe experience if your group has mixed preferences - some people take to paddleboarding immediately, others feel more comfortable in a canoe. Both are based at the same lakeside centre, and both give you access to the same stunning stretch of water.