It was never going to be the busiest of SUP Clubs last night – so actually, 14 was a pretty healthy turnout in very breezy conditions. And it was a beautiful evening for a mellow cruise upwind to All Saints Church, Ulting, and back from Paper Mill Lock. Massive thanks as always to the Willow Set for hosting, and the Six Bells for dinner and drinks after.

Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: by c.6pm (gates close at 6.10pm!)
Launch: after 6.20pm briefing
Finish: c.8.15pm
Level: capable river paddlers

Another solid north-easterly on the forecast and an unworkable low tide mean we’re heading back up to the River Chelmer tonight, from the Willow Set at Paper Mill Lock again. Although it might not be the busiest of SUP Clubs this week…

The paddle could feel like relatively hard going at times, as we’re heading out against (and across) the breeze and coming back against what little flow there is. (Which inexperienced or nervous paddlers may not totally enjoy – so while it’s not a race, and we’re only going at cruising speed, it’s maybe not ideal for confidence building…)

Our regulars will be fine for sure, as will other confident, competent, experienced 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 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 a lesson 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 5.30pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please get there by 6pm, and please don’t be late as the gates are planned to lock at 6.10pm. (And again, let’s see if anyone reads this: we think the Willow Set are open all day – although the twins have got a lot on right now, so maybe not…) Anyway, we’re setting up c.6pm at Paper Mill Lock to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 6.20pm briefing ahead of a c.6.30pm launch. A north-easterly breeze means we’ll be heading east tonight – up to All Saints Church, Ulting, via Rushes Lock and back.

Then after, we’ll be going for dinner and drinks as usual (where we don’t think they’ll be showing the fussball, fyi) – numbers via a show of hands at the briefing.