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

With a solid south-westerly breeze back again, we’re ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill tonight, with huge thanks to the twins for having us… And yes, we know we ‘cried wolf’ last week as the breeze totally died off by the evening – but this time we really are expecting quite a headwind to battle out against. So inexperienced, weak or nervous paddlers could have trouble on the way out. While as ever it’s not a race and we’re only going at gentle cruising speed, it’s not an ideal night for confidence building: please email us via info@supsect.com if you’re not completely sure it’s right for you!

It is forecast dry and hopefully sunny … albeit with a relatively stiff south-westerly wind that could feel like tough going at times on the way out as we work through the gusts. So please be prepared to dig in. That said, as we’re ‘at home’ from the Willow Set at Paper Mill again, everyone capable and confident of stand-up paddling a couple of locks in a bit of wind is very welcome.

We’re just planning to go two locks upstream tonight: upwind to Stonham’s via Mill House and back. The Willow Set are kindly allowing us in, charging £3 from 5.45pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please get there by c.6pm (and comfortably before 6.15pm) – don’t be too early and please don’t be late, as 6.15pm is when when the gates are planned to lock, then we’re going to brief at 6.25, so do make sure you have time to pump up before that…

So, setting up from 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. We’ll probably be going two locks upstream to Stonham’s and back tonight.

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!

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