Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: by 6pm (in fact, gates close at 6pm!)
Launch: after 6.15pm briefing
Finish: c.8.10pm
Level: all capable river paddlers – kids included!

To celebrate this summer’s fourth heatwave (!) we’re planning a River Chelmer Paper Mill Lock splasharound followed by a (BYO food and drink) sunset / dusky picnic. It being August and very hot indeed we’re really keen to have another ‘all comers welcome’ SUP Club this week – therefore we’re hitting the river again, but won’t be going further than one lock to Mill House (so no-one need worry about ‘keeping up’ with the group) and will instead play around up and down our stretch, working on technique, tricks and taking advantage of the warm water and hot weather…

So we’re back ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill Lock where everyone capable of stand-up paddling is very welcome indeed – kids included, for a change (although sorry, but still no dogs). The Willow Set are again kindly allowing us in after hours, charging £3 from 5.30pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please do get there before 6pm – and don’t be late as the gates are planned to close at 6pm this week, then we’re planning to brief at 6.15, so make sure you have time to pump up before that…

We’ll be vaguely heading west tonight but sticking to the one stretch between Mill House and Paper Mill. It should be a great night to try some new techniques or tricks, ideal for getting super-comfy and pushing your limits on your board – or getting to grips and expanding your boundaries on waveboards / raceboards / narrowest wobbleboards. And we’d recommend everyone brings a towel and change of clothing – although we’re not going to force anyone into the water, it should be a great night for some fun splashdowns!

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 stand-up paddle confidently is very welcome… But please, if you’re not yet competently steering, stopping and turning, a busy group at SUP Club isn’t the place to learn these essential skills – we offer lessons for that.

Then after, it’s BYO food and beverages for a dusky picnic (rather than hitting the pub). So pack some cold, snacky food, a couple of drinks, and maybe something to sit on…