Confirmed!
SUP Club 2025 – Look East…
Info
Last night was a SUP Club to remember. A little breezy in places but absolutely ideal conditions for the paddle down to Hoe Mill and back from Paper Mill Lock. Enormous thanks to the wonderful Willow Set, who not only hosted us again but invited us to stay on beyond dusk to celebrate Greg’s big day with a birthday buffet, hot-dogs, cake and a drink or two in their super-chilled wellness zone…
And remember, we’re back on the Chelmer this coming Saturday 14th for our fifth annual Chelmer Challenge, this year in aid of Diabetes UK. Huge thanks to everyone that’s already given so generously … and please, if you haven’t yet donated, click www.justgiving.com/page/supsect-chelmer-challenge-2025 to help us reach our goal.
Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: c.6pm (gates close at 6.15pm!)
Launch: after 6.25pm briefing
Finish: c.8.20pm
Level: confident, capable river paddlers
We’re back ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill for SUP Club this week. Albeit – as seems standard this season – with the caveat that a potentially stiff easterly wind could feel like tough going at times, plus we’re against the grain both ways as we’re heading out against the breeze and coming back against the flow. (Therefore particularly inexperienced or nervous paddlers might have trouble keeping up, so while it’s not a race and we’re only going at gentle cruising speed, it’s maybe not ideal for confidence building: please email us via info@supsect.com if you’re not sure if it’s right for you!)
Our regulars will be fine for sure, as will other confident, competent river paddlers (ie; anyone who can happily stand-up paddle in a bit of breeze, going two locks out and back without stopping). But please, if you’re not yet stand-up paddling strong, and confidently steering, stopping and turning, a busy group at SUP Club isn’t the place to learn these essential skills – we offer lessons for that! And as always, please ensure you are licensed to paddle the river (renewals via www.waterways.org.uk)
The Willow Set are again kindly allowing us in after hours, charging £3 from 5.45pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Ideally get there by by 6pm, and please don’t be late as the gates are planned to lock at 6.15pm. So, setting up by c.6pm at Paper Mill Lock to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 6.25pm briefing ahead of a c.6.30pm launch. An easterly breeze means we’ll be heading east tonight – up to All Saints Church, Ulting, via Rushes Lock and back.
As always, please ensure you are licensed to paddle the river (renewals via www.waterways.org.uk). Everyone licensed, with their own kit (including leash!) who can paddle confidently is very welcome… Tonight might feel like hard work for very inexperienced paddlers though, as we’re going out against the wind then coming back against the flow.
