Students will be able to create their own sustainable wooden paddleboard thanks to the newest ‘short’ course from Dorset’s Boat Building Academy (BBA).

The first ‘Build a SUP workshop’ was held this summer in Lyme Regis and bookings are now being taken for July 2025.

Over one million Britons are estimated to own a paddleboard but they are predominantly rigid or inflatable and made of plastic.

The BBA course spans three weeks and sees participants build their own hand-crafted timber Stand Up Paddleboard over an internal ‘fishbone’ frame.

The finished board is designed for general use and has a beginner friendly form with good stability, making it suitable for surfing, yoga, and fishing.

Jo Tall, a ‘green lawyer’ from London, pictured left, said: “I am on the committee of the Old Gaffers Association Solent branch (for people who sail gaff-rigged boats) and visited the BBA in March.

“I loved it here, so when I heard about the SUP course, I booked time off work and came to Lyme.

“I started SUP in lockdown on the Thames and got hooked.

“I love all things that float and especially those which are wooden, both for their beauty and their sustainability.

“The course was intense, but in a nice way.

“My board ‘Pegasus’ is made of ply and red cedar and has a flying horse design. I also made my paddle in cedar. It’s stunning.”

Tutors guide the course step by step, with no previous woodworking experience needed.

Participants are also invited to add their own designs to their boards as they wish.

Martin Goeggel, from Lucerne in Switzerland, has undertaken eight short courses at the BBA, including Build a SUP.

The designer and keen sailor said: “As a designer, one of the favourite parts of my job in the past was making models, and so being able to adapt the course design, add my own touches and physically build something was a fantastic experience for me.

“Like the many other beautiful items I have made here at the BBA, including a workbench, I simply put my paddleboard on my car roof and took it home to Switzerland!

“I’m looking forward to using it on Lake Lucerne where I’m sure it will attract a great deal of interest from my fellow paddle boarders.”

Will Reed, Director of the BBA, said: “It was wonderful to see these majestic boards take shape in our workshop over the duration of the first course.

“The BBA is world renowned for its boat and furniture making building courses, and we want our short courses to offer everyone the chance to widen their skills and to create something wonderful.”

The next three-week course runs from July 21 to August 8 2025.

For more details visit https://boatbuildingacademy.com/product/build-a-paddleboard/