Alde River Challenge

AYC's Summer Challenge is Live! Time to plan your attempt

The AYC Summer Challenge Registration Form 2025

AYC is relaunching The Summer Challenge (ASC). The challenge involves participants navigating between the three “villages” of Slaughden, Orford and Snape without using mechanised transport, finishing where they started and taking refreshment in each village.

It has been devised to promote activity on and around the Rivers Alde and Ore, to encourage navigation and seamanship on the river and to provide a fun and inclusive activity at AYC – suitable for non-sailors or sailors.

It is open to participants to interpret and complete in their own way, taking full responsibility for themselves, their actions and their safety. It is a challenge – not a race or a date/time specific event – but to be entered for the roll of honour must take place between 30th March and 25th October 2025. Participants must plan and prepare their attempt carefully, including any back up/support they need for safety.

The ‘Rules’ are simple:

• Pre-register your attempt with AYC – the entry form is on the website and email to challenge@aldeburghyc.org.uk. You can do the whole challenge yourself or split it into a ‘relay’ with friends.

• Start at Slaughden village (AYC)

• Go to Orford, have a drink,

• Go to Snape, have a drink, (or vice versa)

• Return to finish at Slaughden (AYC) for celebratory refreshments.

• No engines or motors can be used by participants. (NB any support backup can be motorised)

• A combination of any of sailing, rowing, swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, running, walking, cycling, kitesurfing or windsurfing could be used. And others we have yet to think of….

• Start whenever you like, take whatever route you like (not across private land), choose your own refreshment drinks (take them with you if you prefer – water/soft drinks are fine), be considerate to others, follow the Countryside Code and behave in a seamanlike manner on the water.

• Keep a (brief) log and take photos/ video footage. To be submitted to AYC within 14 days of completion.

• Post your efforts on social media tagging @aldeburghyachtclub and @aldeburghyouth sailing using the hashtag #alderiverchallenge #aldeburghyachtclub #funonthealde.

AYC will maintain a ‘roll of honour’ of successful participants and may publish logs, photos, and videos. NB Solo attempts without support will not be recognised. All 2025 attempts must be completed between 28th March and 30th October 2025.

For inspiration you can see some of the previous attempts at www.aldeburghyc.org.uk, including one of the attempts on Youtube.com, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMgdYXLhTy0 or by searching ‘Alde river challenge’.

Questions and clarifications can be addressed by emailing challenge@aldeburghyc.org.uk.