What football?!? We found plenty of space and tranquility on the water for SUP Club last night as we headed out upwind from Paper Mill Lock (thanks again to the Willow Set for hosting us) to Stonham’s and back in perfect midsummer conditions, before another magic meal at the Six Bells.

Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: by c.6pm (gates open 5.30pm, close at 6.15pm!)
Launch: after 6.20pm briefing
Finish: c.8.10pm
Level: capable river paddlers

Yep, there’s still some south-westerly wind about but it’s looking warm, dry and even sunny enough that we should have a good evening – so we’re heading back ‘home’ to the Willow Set at Paper Mill tonight, with thanks again to the twins for having us… All capable river paddlers welcome, hopefully a bit of headwind on the way out should be the worst of it.

We’re just planning to go two locks upstream: upwind (and it may be breezy!) to Stonham’s via Mill House and back. The Willow Set are kindly allowing us in out of hours, charging £3 from 5.30pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please get there by c.6pm – don’t be too early and please don’t be late, as the gates won’t open until 5.30pm and are going to lock at 6.15pm, then we’re briefing at 6.20, so do make sure you have time to pump up before that…

Setting up by 6pm at Paper Mill Lock to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 6.20pm briefing ahead of a c.6.25pm 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 non-stop for 90-minutes 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.