So for two strong reasons we’re going to run a straight repeat of last week’s SUP Club tonight… 1) Last week went really amazingly well and conditions are forecast broadly similar tonight. 2) Our alternate launches in this weather at Mill House and Papermill aren’t feasible as there’s virtually no water beyond Little Baddow Mill Lock! Be ready for a horribly wet and windy day, then of course there are no guarantees but all predictions show the sun beginning to come out as the wind backs right off by early evening. Fingers crossed! Having paddled the river last night, we can assure you there will be quite a flow to push out against, but we’ve definitely managed worse at SUP Club already this season. So again we’re going to meet at Hoe Mill Lock (CM9 6RA – as always, paddlers on the Chelmer must be licensed: see www.waterways.org.uk/shop/product_details?id=2038) by 6.15pm ahead of a 6.30pm launch, heading west. Depending on the turnout we will probably graduate the start again – shorter boards / newer paddlers first – then just like last week we’ll implement the ‘bounce-back’ policy at Rushes Lock (both ways) so the fastest can push the pace if they like and cover some more distance yet we’ll keep getting back together as a group. Paper Mill Lock might again be the ultimate prize for a few of us (www.supsect.com/paper-mill-8k/), but wherever we get to we’ll all turn at 7.25pm for the magic carpet ride home on the stream to be off the water at 8pm. Then we’ll alert The Hurdlemakers Arms for another marvellous meal (or just a drink – or neither if you’d rather!)

SUP Club is completely free of charge for anyone who owns their own kit (and knows how to use it!) to attend. If conditions are suitable, limited hire kit is available to graduates of our Learn to SUP lessons (or any other BSUPA Ready to Ride course) from duncan@supsect.com

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