SOUTHERN RIVERS CRUISE
Was Saturday 27th June - Saturday 4th July 2026
plus or minus a couple of days at either end for some
A Week to Remember!
Fair winds, glorious sunshine, warm evenings and great company — what more could an EACC Southern Rivers Cruise possibly need?
Well… the Ribs of Beef Challenge, of course!
The challenge was expertly overseen by OOD Jimmy James, who has kindly provided his own account of the day.
**Click here** to read it.
As always, the beauty of the cruise is its flexibility. Two boats set off on Thursday, more joined on Friday, and three brave souls arrived on Saturday — including those still suffering the inconvenience of having to work for a living!
The Thursday crews were reunited with the Saturday arrivals at Cantley, where the evening entertainment was spectacular. Nature provided a barn owl quartering the fields, the Hardley Mill Summer Frolic provided the music, a sunset worthy of Horsey Mere and a distant thunderstorm added dramatic lighting effects. No booking required!
On Sunday the fleet headed to Surlingham Ferry, where we were looked after wonderfully — including a roast dinner that proved cruising can be both adventurous and well fed.
The following morning, several boats remained at Bramerton while the rest continued to Norwich, a destination EACC had not visited for several years. Bramerton turned out to be an excellent base, providing plenty of space for the important business of socialising.
Tuesday saw the fleet head to Langley, one of EACC’s favourite haunts, where the Skipper and Secretary hosted a splendid Pimms Party followed by a BBQ. Other evenings included visits to Somerleyton and Beccles as a group, with some crews later venturing to Geldeston while others began their journey home.
The highlight of the sailing was undoubtedly the passage from the end of the New Cut to Berney Arms, accompanied by Lily and Rosie. With the wind freshening to a lively Force 4, we enjoyed some unexpected short-tacking practice — not exactly what was in the plan, but certainly memorable!
Cruising in company at the end of June really is hard to beat. The long days provide plenty of time for sailing, exploring, relaxing, and enjoying the excellent company. A perfect mix of self-catering and meals ashore ensured everyone was well catered for.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part and helped make it such a memorable week.
And don’t worry — we’ve already ordered more sunshine for next year!
Liz Chettleburgh
Scroll down or click here for Jimmy James' report on the Ribs of Beef Challenge
A random selection of photographs, not necessarily in the right order. which give a flavour of what was widely regarded as one of,
if not the best, Southern Rivers Cruises, ever. Thank you Colin and Liz for your organisation and leadership!
Ribs of Beef Challenge 2026
As proud holder of the ROB Challenge Trophy, it fell to me to decide who should become its next custodian.
Although, as holder, I technically have the power to award this unique trophy to anyone, for anything, I thought it would be fitting to return to its origins — a sailing challenge in unusual and challenging circumstances. I had visions of Geldeston or perhaps Beccles near the Lido, but then Colin Chet called to say that he and Liz were organising the Southern Rivers Cruise and asked whether I fancied holding the challenge in Norwich again.
Decision made. Colin and Liz would lead the willing to the slaughter. All I had to do was persuade people to enter, devise a course, invent a scoring system, run the event, and hopefully have at least one worthy skipper left standing to receive the trophy at the Laying Up Supper.
As the date approached, we had four confirmed entries: Sandpaper, Pippenslack, Everbean and Be-enriched (for those who don't know this is a reference to a previous SRC when a waiter could not read his own handwriting. Ed.). The forecast was excellent, and crews, supporters and additional crew headed up the Yare towards the big city. Sadly, Sandpaper suffered a crew injury en route and had to withdraw, although they promised to follow the action through our near real-time WhatsApp coverage.
Crews and skippers assembled at the Ribs of Beef at the appointed time for a briefing and some liquid refreshment — or possibly the other way around.
With official adjudicator CJ overseeing proceedings, it quickly became clear that showmanship, seamanship, bribery and corruption would all play their part. Pizza slices changed hands, boats received last-minute decorations, and preparations became increasingly serious.
The course was set, with one mark just downstream of Fye Bridge and another just upstream of Whitefriars Bridge.
The arrival of an official EACC film crew from somewhere near the far end of a distant canal caused an outbreak of hair brushing and makeup application — some of which may not have happened since Breydon.
The start was slightly delayed as the director and cameraman demanded retakes of the all-important PTCs (“pieces to camera”). “Don’t worry, they won’t even realise the start is delayed,” was the reassuring comment from the director.
Then came the horn, the racing flag (Team Jordan flag proudly flying), and the challenge began.
With three starters — Pippenslack, Everbean and Be-enriched — battling for glory, the assembled riverside audience witnessed a superb display of both seamanship and showmanship. Sandpaper was officially recorded as DNS, but remained very much involved in spirit.
The crews coped magnificently with a range of challenges, including a boat collecting the upstream mark on its rudder and then continuing as if that was the plan all along, desperate calls for water that may or may not have existed, groundings, disappearing wind, and finally the sudden arrival of a sea breeze. The OOD reacted swiftly, shortened the course, and brought proceedings to a close before things became even more interesting.
There was applause from the riverbank, no injuries, no damage to boats, and congratulations all round.
It was a fantastic example of EACC at its very best — competitive, chaotic, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. The event even inspired several enthusiastic Facebook posts from spectators.
Thank you to everyone who took part or came along. You all helped make the event a memorable one.
So, who won?
You’ll have to wait until the Laying Up Supper for the official results — and possibly the premiere of the film currently being produced. However, I can reveal that every starter managed, quite deservedly, to secure a podium place.
Jimmy James
The excitement obviously proved too much for some!
It was a hot week and some took to the water to cool off!
Jimmy being thankful for small mercies - one bridge actually opened!
Geldeston, oh Geldeston, I still feel your smoke winds blowing
Thanks to all the photographers.
Forgive me for not crediting each one individually, but contributions were gratefully received from:
David and Ruth Thompson Dave and Soozie Hopwood
Colin and Liz Chettleburgh Jimmy amd Carolyn James
Jane and Paul Stevens Frankie Little
Roger and Lesley Everett Bob and Julia Neate
Tom Moore and Sally Culling.