Wednesday night SUP Club was a special one this week – a heatwave edition paddle up to Ulting Church and back from Papermill, before staying on for sunset in the Willow Set to celebrate Lee’s 40th with hotdogs and birthday cake! Huge thanks again to Paper Mill Lock for having us – and helping raise funds for this weekend’s Chelmer Challenge, with hotdog donations going to www.justgiving.com/page/supsect-chelmer-challenge-2026 in aid of Nacoa… (We’re probably taking a break from SUP Club next week, as we’re taking the club up to Norfolk for our early summer trip on Thursday – but we’ll be back Wednesday 10th June.)

Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Arrive: by c.6.10pm (gates close at 6.15pm!)
Launch: after 6.25pm briefing
Finish: c.8.20pm
Level: capable river paddlers

With a stiff north-easterly on the forecast tonight, we’re heading back up to the River Chelmer, from the Willow Set at Paper Mill Lock again. And to celebrate a scorching start to the season (and blissfully, the easing of this heatwave) we’re planning to sit tight afterwards rather than head for the pub. So BYO booze, maybe some light snacks if you like – and a fiver or your smartphone to make a donation towards catering, as hot-dogs (both veggie and carnivore-friendly!) and some sweet treats will be provided: proceeds will go to our Chelmer Challenge fundraising in aid of Nacoa.

As for the paddle, with a stiff north-easterly breeze it 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 particularly inexperienced or nervous paddlers might not completely enjoy – so while it’s not a race, and we’re only going at gentle cruising speed, it’s maybe not ideal for early confidence building…)

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). 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 5.30pm onwards when you use the password ‘SUPsect’ or flash our logo at the gate. Please get there by 6.10pm, and please don’t be late as the gates are planned to lock at 6.15pm. (So let’s see if anyone reads this: the Willow Set are apparently open all day as it’s half term this week, so feel free to get there as early as you like!) Anyway, we’re setting up 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. A north-easterly breeze means we’ll be heading east tonight – up to All Saints Church, Ulting, via Rushes Lock and back.

Then after, rather than hitting the pub, we’re staying put for a little hot-dogging charity sunset BYO booze picnic thingy – so please bring a fiver or your smartphone, as we’ll be asking for £5 donations to cover the price of hot-dogs etc, with the balance going to our Chelmer Challenge fundraising in aid of Nacoa.