Stand Up Paddle
Glide through the water on a SUP board
SUP, or Stand Up Paddleboarding, an outdoor activity which lets you explore otherwise inaccessible locations on rivers or in the sea.
What is Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)?
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a sport which consists of paddling while standing on a board similar to a surfboard. A new sport, originating in Hawaii, it’s only been available in Italy for a few years. It’s easy to get started and suitable for everyone. Any kind of calm water course (for example the Arno river in Florence) is suitable for SUP.
SUP is the ideal way to slowly discover beautiful natural surroundings, gliding along on a board. Sometimes the most spectacular sights are only accessible from the water. SUP can also provide a unique point of view of well-known places, like central Florence, so you can enjoy the experience away from the crowds.
Who is SUP suitable for?
SUP is suitable for everyone – a great way to see the area, discover new views, get some exercise and have fun.
The health and wellbeing benefits of SUP are immediate. It’s also easy to make progress and gain your balance quickly – very satisfying!
In addition to the physical benefits, this sport is fun to do in a group – a sociable experience immersed in beautiful natural surroundings.
WHERE CAN I TRY SUP IN TUSCANY?
ToscanaSUP organises activities in Florence, Chianti e Bagni di Lucca
ToscanaSUP is a SUP and surf school recognised by the ISA (International Surfing Association) and has professional, qualified staff with a range of sporting skills, to ensure the safety of your SUP experience.
ToscanaSUP has its main headquarters in Florence and various centres in Tuscany. ToscanaSUP has organised activities and excursions throughout the region since 2012 – offering activities for all ability levels in rivers, lakes and the sea. Enjoy views from the Arno river in the centre of Florence, enjoy the luxuriant greenery of the Serchio river in Garfagnana, paddle under the famous Ponte del Diavolo, and discover Lucca and Pisa. For beach lovers, we organise lessons and excursions in Baratti, Castiglione della Pescaia and the Cinque Terre area.
What does the activity involve?
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tours
Toscana SUP organizes 2-3 hour tours, full day excursions and even 2 to 7 day adventures.
TOSCANA SUP
Enjoy wild Tuscany on the water
The staff at ToscanaSUP have loads of knowledge and experience. They’re here to help you have a great time discovering Tuscany from aboard a SUP – it’s an easy outdoor sport suitable for everyone.
ToscanaSUP have a fleet of distinctive and colourful vans, which you’ll see all over Tuscany. They also have a range of bases where you can try out activities. There’s something for everyone!
You can enjoy the fresh morning air or sit back and enjoy the sunset on the river with a glass of Chianti under Ponte Vecchio.For activities on the Serchio river, our base is under Ponte del Diavolo, and for activities on the Lima river you can find us at the Cocciglia straits.
For a family-friendly adventure not far from the city, try the guided trips on the Sieve river (in Mugello) and the Serchio (in Lucca). Coastal tours, away from urban bustle, are available in Maremma and on the Etruscan coast, are also available.
Caring for the river is an ongoing commitment for ToscanaSUP
At ToscanaSUP we bring together sport and environmental education, and help develop ecological awareness. Through our SUP activities, and the discovery of the area’s rivers and waterways, we promote sustainable forms of mobility and healthy lifestyles.
Periodically ToscanaSUP organises rubbish/litter removal expeditions along the rivers in Tuscany, and carries out teaching activities related to the problem of plastics in our rivers and seas and its environmental, social and economic impact.
These rubbish removal and clearing activities form part of an environmental education programme called SUP4ALL, supported by the Comune di Firenze (Municipality of Florence).
Useful information
SUP board, paddle, life jacket, ankle leash
Comfortable clothes, sun cream, hat, sports shoes (or water sports shoes)
Tours last around 2 hours, and excursions from 4 to 8 hours.
In case of light or passing rain, the activity will still go ahead.
If heavy rain, storms, high winds or other weather conditions are forecast which might make the activity unsafe, we will assess the situation 24 hours beforehand and let any booked participants know.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT TOSCANA SUP
Great experience and exceptional host. Arianna introduced us well to the equipment, shared some historical facts about Florence with us and showed us the beauty of the city from a different perspective.
Annalena
2020-07-29
Tommaso hat auf Anfrage einen Termin einrichten können. Der Kontakt war dabei locker, schnell und freundlich. Genauso wie man es sich wünscht! Auch bei der Tour hat man sich sehr gut mit ihm unterhalten. Bei den kleinen Geschichten, die er über die Stadt wusste und erzählt hat, hat man gemerkt, das er hier zuhause ist. Das Croissant und das Getränk auf dem Wasser waren natürlich auch super. Unterm Strich können wir die Tour nur empfehlen!
Bis zum nächsten mal 😉
Till
2020-07-19
Una prospettiva diversa della città di Firenze, una pausa rilassante tra le visite ai monumenti storici ed ai musei. L'attività può essere svolta da chiunque non abbia paura dell'acqua o problemi di equilibrio. Tommaso ha comprovata esperienza ed ha saputo rendere semplice e piacevole un'attività che si ritiene adatta ad atleti o sportivi incalliti.
Pittoresca la pausa presso Ponte Vecchio ad opera del gentilissimo Giacomo che ci ha calato dall'alto le vettovaglie nel suo delizioso cestino in puro stile rionale.
Barbara
2020-07-07
Paddle boarding with Tommaso was such an incredible experience, truly a memory that will last a lifetime. Ended up as a private event due to lack of tourism. Great guy, highly recommend!
Daniel
2020-07-06
Absolutely amazing experience that was one of the highlights of our trip. Paddle-boarding under the Ponte Vecchio, stopping and having wine delivered in a basket on a rope from a restaurant above. Couldn't recommend it anymore!
Colin
2019-09-27
This experience is INCREDIBLE!!! Such a unique view of Florence and so fun. From the start Tomasso was super communicative and our guide Arianna was professional, friendly and knowledgeable about the city of Florence. Seeing the city from the point of view of the river was so special and so peaceful. We even stopped for some Prosecco and snacks right under the Ponte Vecchio. I am recommending this to everyone I know-can’t speak highly enough about it.
Katie
2019-09-27
Paddling on the SUP on the Arno river during sunset was one of the nicest experiences I had during a city trip. I can only recommend it to anyone visiting Florence!
Mariana was so nice and it was a pleasure spending the evening talking to her!
Perfect! ❤️
Karin
2019-09-17
Ariana made us feel so welcome. We absolutely loved our SUP experience and would highly recommend it! Thank you so much for making our trip to Firenze so memorable and unique!
Sarah
2019-09-17
This experience was one of the highlights of my trip to Florence. My boyfriend and I booked a private experience for a morning paddle. Arianna met us at 9am and we got on the Arno shortly. She was a great teacher and gave us a lot of insight into Florence. It was such a unique way to experience the city and to see it from the water. I highly reccomend doing this experience 100%.
Naomi
2019-09-16
paddling in the heart of Firenze, under the Ponte Vecchio... then having a cappuccino+croissant floating around... how more surreal can it be!!! Plus Tommaso is super friendly and knowledgeable about both his city and paddling. A unique experience that I can only highly recommend.
Sylvain
2019-08-13