Venue: Paper Mill Lock (CM3 4BS / w3w.co/encoded.narrating.switched)
Gates open: 5.30pm
Arrive: by c.5.50pm (gates lock at 6pm)
Launch: after 6.10pm briefing
Finish: c.8.10pm
Level: capable river paddlers

Although less breezy this week (albeit a bit chillier, being north-westerly) there’s bound to be some flow after yesterday’s rain. But as the coast’s off-limits we’re taking SUP Club back up onto the River Chelmer tonight, with pretty much a straight repeat of last week from the Willow Set at Paper Mill Lock – with huge thanks to the twins for allowing us to let ourselves in again… All capable river paddlers welcome, a little bit of headwind and some flow on the way out should be the worst of it.

We’re just planning to go two locks upstream: 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.5.50pm – and please don’t be late, as the gates are going to lock at 6pm, then we’re briefing at 6.10, so do make sure you have time to pump up before that… Also, don’t be early, as the Willow Set is closed today so we’ll be unlocking it ourselves at 5.30pm.

Setting up by 6pm at Paper Mill Lock to gather at our ‘training zone’ by the entrance for a 6.10pm briefing ahead of a c.6.15pm launch. We’ll likely 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.