After quite some weather-and-trip-enforced hiatus, it was great to get SUP Club back on the water last night. Here’s a few quick snaps from before and after sunset  – a lovely 8km paddle up to Hoe Mill Lock against the breeze then back down to Paper Mill Lock. Huge thanks again to the Willow Set for having us, and the Six Bells for dinner and drinks after.

Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: c.5.15pm (gates close at 5.40pm!)
Launch: after 5.45pm briefing
Finish: c.7.30pm
Level: confident, capable river paddlers

Hey you guys! We’re back on again… With apologies for the hiatus, we’re returning ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill for SUP Club this week. And with a potentially stiff (and chilly) north-easterly wind it’s going to feel like autumn alright, and 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 this week, so while it’s never a race and we’re only going at gentle cruising speed, it’s not going to be ideal for confidence building: please email us via info@supsect.com if you’re not completely sure it’s right for you…)

Oh, and while we’re not paddling in the dark as that’s not OK with IWA Essex, we will be getting back after sunset (18.51) but during dusk / twilight so it’s not actually dark dark. So navigation lights not compulsory, but you might like to bring them just for fun / so we can see where everyone’s at (not for illumination, so absolutely no bright whites or there’ll be trouble!)

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, and is happy in the cold and dark). But please, if you’re not yet 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 5pm at the absolute earliest when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Ideally get there c.5.15pm, and please don’t be late as the gates are going to lock at 5.40pm. So, setting up comfortably by c.5.30pm at Paper Mill Lock to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 5.45pm briefing ahead of 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 is going to be chilly, will end up dusky, and might feel like hard work for inexperienced paddlers, as we’re going against the wind then against the flow. (And 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!)

After, we’ll be going for dinner and drinks as usual – numbers via a show of hands at the briefing.