Sudbury to the Sea (S2C)  

This event has been held annually for some thirty years and was previously known as The Length of the River Cruise. Originally it was designed to ensure that the navigation was used and to note any problems on the River. Now that it has been established that there is a Statutory Right of Navigation, it has become a social event with the aim of enabling participants to enjoy the many delights of the Stour that are not reachable by any other method in the company of fellow navigators.

The Cruise, which is open to everyone, is held on a weekend in September.

This event raises funds that will directly benefit river-based activities as well as bringing together river users of varying ability. S2C 2007 attracted over 200 craft with over 330 participants and raised money towards the Stratford St. Mary Lock Restoration as well as achieving local television and press coverage.

Participants navigate 24˝ miles of the River Stour from Sudbury to the Cattawade Barrier over the course of a weekend. The trip provides the opportunity to see parts of the local countryside that are otherwise inaccessible by foot or road.

Maps and river-related leaflets are provided to highlight interesting features and distances along the route with a certificate presented upon completion of the course.

The organisation of this event is crucial to its success and volunteers are needed over the weekend whether manning the locks, assisting paddlers with their boats at the landing stages, sharing tales and songs around the campfire or simply keeping morale high! The organisers would like to once again thank all the volunteers for their help before and during the 2007 event and we would welcome the help and assistance of volunteers for the 2008 S2C event.

Volunteers are asked to help with the following tasks:

  • Pre-event organisation
  • Storage of boats on Friday night at The Granary
  • Registration on Saturday morning
  • Car parking at The Granary
  • Lock operation at Cornard, Dedham and Flatford
  • Portaging assistance at various weirs and obstructions along the route
  • ‘Check point’ duties (logging craft in and out along the route)

    If you can help over the weekend please contact Catherine in the Trust office or email the organising team.

    Details of 2008 event

    Photos from 2006