River Activities

The fastest and safest way is to make your reservation online through this website. Choose the equipment you want (kayak, paddle surf, Big SUP, or Dragon Boat), select the day and time, and secure your spot. For large groups, Team Building events, or school trips, we recommend contacting the Real Club de Tenis de San Sebastián directly for a custom quote. Send a WhatsApp to 667636296.

Yes, reservations must be made exclusively online. There is no physical rental point on-site. Especially in spring and summer (high season for active tourism in San Sebastián), the boats of the Real Club de Tenis de San Sebastián River School are in high demand. By booking in advance, you guarantee equipment availability and avoid waiting at the base.

Anytime! The Urumea River environment is a perfect setting for group events. Our flagship options for bachelor/bachelorette parties and corporate Team Building are the **Big SUP** rental (giant boards for 6-8 people) and the **Dragon Boat**, a spectacular team canoe with guaranteed synchronization and fun.

Yes, it is a fantastic family activity. Children can accompany adults in our **double kayaks** or enjoy together on a **Big SUP** board. In general, we recommend the activity for ages 8-9 and up, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult and know how to swim. It's a perfect leisure plan for families in San Sebastián.

Dragon Boat rental for groups includes the traditional boat (with dragon head and tail), paddles, life jackets, and the essential presence of a Club helmsman/instructor to guide the dynamics. It is ideal for groups of 7 to 11 people. An ancient experience based on synchronized effort and camaraderie.

No, being a member of the Real Club de Tenis de San Sebastián does not give you access to special preferential rates for this activity. Member discounts only apply to nautical equipment rentals at the Club's own Nautical School (in Ondarreta). At the River School, members receive a discount on the monthly fee for the Dragon Boat rowing team.

Active tourism with your pet is possible. In general, we allow kayak rentals with dogs, provided the owner takes responsibility for the animal's behavior, any potential damage to the equipment, and the animal wears its own dog life jacket for safety. Ask us before making the reservation!

While La Concha Bay (Nautical School or Kayak Ondarreta) offers an open sea experience with small waves and views of Santa Clara Island, the Urumea River is a calm water estuary. It is a wave-free environment, sheltered from the wind, surrounded by urban nature and architecture, ideal for a peaceful paddle and perfect for beginners.

It is one of the safest environments to start water sports in the Basque Country. With no waves or strong currents, the risk of capsizing is very low. The Urumea allows you to gain confidence on the Paddle Surf (SUP) board or Kayak from the very first minute. Furthermore, our instructors will explain the basic technique before you enter the water and advise you whether to "go up" or "go down" the river depending on the tide.

Absolutely. One of the greatest attractions of active tourism on the Urumea is the opportunity to take a monumental tour from the water. Along your route, you can navigate under the iconic bridges of San Sebastián: the María Cristina Bridge, the Santa Catalina Bridge, and the Kursaal Bridge (Zurriola), enjoying a unique photographic perspective of the city.

The final section of the Urumea is an estuary, so the water level changes with the tides of the Cantabrian Sea. It can be navigated smoothly both at high tide (with a wide and majestic river) and at low tide (which allows you to see sandbanks). Our technical team will always inform you about tidal currents to make your route easier.

Our guided tours on the Urumea River generally last between an hour and a half and two hours. It is the perfect amount of time to learn the paddling technique, navigate the urban section under the bridges, enjoy the change of scenery towards more wooded areas, and return to the base without excessive fatigue.

Although spring and summer (May to September) are the most popular months due to warmer temperatures and sunny days, autumn in San Sebastián offers spectacular light and very calm waters on the river. Thanks to the use of wetsuits, Dragon Boat and kayaking can be practiced almost year-round at our river school.

Yes, knowing how to swim comfortably is a mandatory requirement. To comply with maritime and river safety regulations, anyone participating in the Real Club de Tenis de San Sebastián River School activities, regardless of the vessel, must be able to float and swim independently, even while wearing a life jacket.

The price of the self-guided rental or guided tour includes everything you need to get in the water: the chosen vessel in perfect condition (SUP, Big SUP, Kayak, or Dragon Boat), the corresponding ergonomic paddles, and the approved buoyancy aid life jacket. It also includes an onshore safety briefing.

For the summer season, we recommend wearing a swimsuit, a lycra t-shirt to protect you from the sun (the water reflection is strong), water-resistant sunscreen, and a hat. It is important to wear footwear that can get wet, such as water shoes or strapped sandals. If you come during the colder months, we have wetsuits available for rent.

Yes, the Real Club de Tenis de San Sebastián River School facilities have a safe and closed space available for users. You can change comfortably and leave your phone, keys, or wallet safely stored while you enjoy the river activity.

Your safety is our priority. A light rain ("zirimiri") does not prevent kayaking or SUP. However, if our technical team determines that conditions are adverse (thunderstorms, strong wind gusts, or dangerous river flow), the activity will be canceled. In that case, we will offer to reschedule your reservation to another date or provide a full refund.

Not at all! Big SUP (giant Stand Up Paddle) boards are very wide and have a large buoyancy volume, making them extremely stable. They are perfect for people with no prior experience. The real challenge (and fun) is coordinating with your friends or family so that everyone paddles at the same time without the paddles clashing.

Falling into the water is part of the fun, especially in Paddle Surf! The Urumea water is clean and safe. Since wearing a life jacket is mandatory, you will float effortlessly. You just need to swim to your board or kayak and climb back on. In the case of guided tours, our instructor will always be nearby to help you get back on in seconds.