SUPsect Chelmer Challenge 2026 is on! Saturday 30th May – in aid of Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics).

In memory of one of our long-time paddlers, whose ambition was to paddleboard the length of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, we're returning for our sixth annual Chelmer Challenge.

This year, on Saturday 30th May we’re paddling in aid of Nacoa. Stand-up paddleboarding the full navigation: 22km from Chelmsford to Heybridge Basin, or for some the 1/2 Challenge from Paper Mill Lock to the end.

To safely take on the the full route we need to know that paddlers are already comfortable paddling 12km+ / 2-hour+ routes and can easily average a cruising speed over 5kmph on the River Chelmer – ie; are able to cover 8km on the river, including locks, within c.90 minutes. The 1/2 Challenge, 11km, would suit those happy with 6km+ / 1-hour+ routes that can comfortably hold a cruising speed of 4kmph+.

If you want to join us for either the full or half Chelmer Challenge, please do talk to us at SUP Club or drop us a message to elisa@supsect.com – we’ll be running the event via a private Messenger group which we’ll add all participants in to.

Fundraising is for Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) a national charity reliant entirely on funding from voluntary donations to provide information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking. There will be a suggested donation to take part, plus of course donations from friends and family will be encouraged. And we will be seeking further donations for everyone’s efforts via our social media channels. We don’t want to make people pay to paddle, nor force them to drum up sponsorship, yet we do want to raise money for a very good cause… (Last year we raised £5,245 for Diabetes UK, in 2024 we raised £5,336 for Action for Family Carers, in 2023 we raised over £5k to install a defibrillator at Paper Mill Lock and donate £4,167 to the British Heart Foundation, in 2022 we raised £5,302 for Alzheimer's Society, and in 2021 we raised £5,106 for Breast Cancer Research.)

#chelmerchallenge #nacoa #supsect #charitypaddle

Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) is a Bristol based charity founded in 1990 to provide help and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.

We believe that every child has the right to a happy childhood and to live a creative and meaningful life but when drink is the family secret they are more likely to experience family violence, neglect and other problems in their own homes.