1st SUP of 2022

I think this is the latest in the year that we have ever got out for our first paddle boarding session. Tina was working nights and was sleeping so on Sunday I took all 3 kids to the Chelmer and we had a lovely day out on the river. My new electric pump was a god send and made setting up 3 paddle boards a million times easier than the old foot pump. Initially I was left walking riverside as Holly wanted a paddle board of her own and Josh is so big he really needs my adult board now.

We started with the usual 0.25 mile paddle to the lock heading in the Chelmsford direction where we enjoyed a picnic and the kids all had some fun jumping in the river. Then we turned back and headed about another 0.8 miles towards Papermill Lock to get a cake and drink (so roughly 2 miles of paddle boarding). Holly did really well on her own but only managed about 0.5 mile and was then too tired to carry on. So she ended up sitting/laying on the adult board with Joshua and I ended up on the other kids board. The problem with the kids board is it is too small for me to stand up on and balance, so I ended up kneeling all the way there and back which gives you a mega quad pump.

So it looks like it is time to take the plunge and buy another adult size SUP.

Initially I ended up the river side and the 3 kids had the paddle boards.

Bad luck for Tina being asleep, she missed out on our strawberry cream scones.

Joshua trying to figure out how deep the water is in a lock!

Brandon in deep thought.

Lunatic Josh jumping off of one of the bridges going over the river.

Holly got too tired after a while and just chilled on the adult SUP with Josh.

So peaceful and tranquil.

After out cake we had a really relaxing paddle back to Boreham with a slight tail wind which was nice.

Joshua ended up stealing my adult board as he is too big for the kids ones now.

Brandon still just about fits the kids SUP, but he really needs an adult size one as well.

Holly started on her knees but very soon got up on her feet and did really well.

All 3 of them enjoying the sunshine out on the river.

Nice to see Joshua having confidence to stand up on the bigger board.

The boys kept a close eye on Holly for me as I wasn't in the water initially.

Overhead shot of Brandon and Holly.

Brandon getting ready to jump off of the lock.

And off he goes.

Splash.

Holly did really well standing up and managed around 0.25 miles.

She was getting frustrated at times and I just had to calm her down and tell her which side/direction to paddle and then she was fine.

Lets hope for a good summer and get more days out like this.