Kayak & SUP Hire

River Arun Kayak Hire, Pulborough

Name: River Arun Kayak Hire, Pulborough
Brand: Fluid Adventures
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (7 reviews)

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⏱ 1hr / 2hr / 4hr / Full day

Beginner Friendly

From £20 Free for members

Members hire for free — Join from £30/month

Current Conditions on the River Arun

🌤 Weather Check conditions

💨 Wind 5mph SSW, gusting 6

🏞️ River Level 1.35m — Elevated

🟡 Status River level elevated

Hire Pricing

All prices per craft.

	1 Hour	2 Hours	4 Hours	Full Day
Single Kayak Sit-on-top, 1 person	£20	£30	£50	£70
Double Kayak Sit-on-top, 2 people	£30	£50	£70	£90
Open Canoe 2 adults + 2 children	£40	£60	£80	£100
SUP Stand-up paddleboard, 1 person	£15	£25	£40	£60
Mega SUP Giant SUP, up to 6 people	£60	—	—	—

Fluid Adventures members enjoy unlimited free hire sessions. Membership costs £30/month with no commitment.

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About This Hire

Explore the River Arun at your own pace

Hire a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or MegaSUP and discover one of Sussex's most beautiful rivers. The River Arun at Pulborough offers peaceful paddling through stunning countryside - perfect for families, couples, and groups who want to set their own pace and explore freely.

No guide, no fixed route, no schedule. Just you, the river and as much time as you want to spend on the water.

The Experience

Hiring on the River Arun near Arundel?

If you've searched for kayak or paddleboard hire near Arundel, you're in the right place. We know the Arun well, and a couple of miles upstream at Pulborough it's a completely different river. Down at Arundel the water runs fast and tidal, which makes self-led hire genuinely unsuitable for most people. Up at Pulborough, the river is slow, wide, and calm. Willows trail over the banks, herons fish from the shallows, and you can drift for hours without any stress.

That's why we base all our self-led hire at Pulborough. If you specifically want to paddle the Arundel stretch of the river, we run a guided River Arun tour (Arundel to Pulborough) with an instructor alongside you. The best of both worlds.

Before You Go

Your river to explore

The launch point at Pulborough sits in the heart of the Arun Valley, where the river winds through water meadows backed by the South Downs. From here, you can paddle upstream or down - there's no wrong direction, just different adventures.

Head upstream and the river narrows into tree-lined channels where kingfishers flash between the branches and dragonflies hover over the surface. It's quiet up here and around every bend there's something worth stopping for. A family of swans. A gap in the trees that frames the Downs perfectly. A stretch of water so still it looks like glass.

Downstream, the river opens up and the views get bigger. The Amberley Wild Brooks stretch out on either side - one of the most important wetland habitats in the south of England and home to an extraordinary range of birdlife. On a summer afternoon, with the sun on the water and the Downs on the horizon, it's hard to believe you're less than an hour from the M25.

Most people hire for two or four hours, but there's no rush. Bring a picnic, find a bankside spot and make a day of it.

Paddleboarding on the River Arun

The River Arun at Pulborough is as good a place as any to try paddleboarding for the first time. The water is genuinely flat, there's no current to fight, and you're surrounded by open countryside rather than other boats. We hire single stand-up paddleboards from £15 an hour. We also have our Mega SUP, a giant board that fits up to six people, which is exactly as much fun as it sounds.

Before you arrive

Location: River Arun, Pulborough. Full directions provided on booking.
Craft Available: Single kayaks, double kayaks, open canoes, paddleboards, and MegaSUPs
Hire Durations: 1 hour, 2 hours, or 4 hours
Experience: Hires are self-led, so you paddle to your own experience level. The river here is sheltered, flat water that suits beginners well. We'll give you a safety briefing and get you set up.
What to Bring: Sun cream, water, and a picnic if you're making a day of it. Wear clothing you don't mind getting damp.
Please Note: Hire sessions are self-guided. No instructor accompanies you on the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire a kayak or canoe at Arundel on the River Arun?

Self-led hire isn't available from Arundel because that stretch of the river runs fast and tidal, which isn't safe without supervision. All our self-led hire is based a few miles upstream at Pulborough, where the river is calm and easy for all abilities. If you want to paddle the Arundel section specifically, our guided River Arun tour runs from Arundel up to Pulborough with a qualified instructor.

Is the River Arun at Pulborough safe for beginners and families?

Yes, it's one of the gentlest stretches of water you'll find. The river here is slow-moving and flat, with no weirs or strong currents on the hire route. It suits mixed-ability groups and children well, and we always run through the basics with you before you set off.

I'm a complete beginner. Can I still hire?

Absolutely. Our hires are self-led, so you paddle at your own pace and to your own comfort level. The calm, flat water at Pulborough is about as forgiving an introduction as you'll find anywhere. We run through the basics before you launch, and if you'd like proper tuition, our guided sessions and beginner courses are the perfect next step.

Do you hire paddleboards (SUPs)?

We do. We hire single stand-up paddleboards from £15 for an hour, with 2-hour, 4-hour and full-day options available too. We also have the Mega SUP, a large group board for up to six people, which is great for families or a group of friends who want to be on the water together.

Is there a guide with us?

Hire sessions are self-guided. We give you a thorough safety briefing, route advice, and a waterproof map before you launch. We're always at the end of the phone if you need us.

Which direction should I paddle?

We'll advise on the best route for the conditions and your hire duration. Upstream is quieter with narrower channels and more wildlife. Downstream opens up with bigger views towards the South Downs.

What's the minimum age?

Children are welcome in double kayaks and canoes with a supervising adult. For paddleboards, we recommend a minimum age of around 10.

Where do we meet, and how far is Pulborough from Guildford?

Meet us at the car park opposite Macklins at The Riverside, Pulborough, RH20 2BJ. There is parking right there. From Guildford it is around 40 minutes by car, with the A29 bringing you in from the north, and the launch point is a short walk from the village centre.

Can I bring a picnic?

Absolutely, we encourage it, especially for 4-hour and full-day hires. There are beautiful spots along the riverbank to pull up and eat.

Recommended Routes

Upstream

Quick Upstream Loop 1 hour

Head upstream from the launch point into the narrower, tree-lined stretches of the river. Quieter, more intimate paddling with excellent wildlife — look out for kingfishers along this section. Perfect for a 1-hour hire or a relaxed first paddle.

Upstream to the White Hart 2 hours

A longer upstream paddle past the White Hart pub and back. Beautiful tree-lined river with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities. A great route for a 2-hour hire.

Upstream to Pallingham Quay 4 hours

The full upstream experience — paddle all the way to Pallingham Quay at the tidal extent of the river and back. With a 4-hour hire, you can stop for lunch at the White Hart pub on the way back. Bring a packed lunch or enjoy pub food with a view of the river.

Downstream

Downstream to Greatham Bridge 2 hours

Paddle downstream as the river opens up with views towards the South Downs. Greatham Bridge and back makes a satisfying 2-hour route. Note: downstream routes require tidal planning — we'll brief you on the best timing before you set off.

Downstream to Amberley 4 hours

With a 4-hour hire, paddle downstream to Amberley and back through the Amberley Wild Brooks — one of the most important wetland habitats in the south of England. The birdlife is extraordinary. Careful tidal planning required — we'll advise on timing at your briefing.