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Playspot: UK, England, Norfolk, River Wensum, Hellesdon Mill

What's it like

Hellesdon Mill is a fairly small weir consisting of four gates which work very consistently (in the summer you're more likely to find it working than not). It does however get better after heavy rain when the holes become much smoother and the level beneath the weir deepens. Out of the four gates the only ones which produce anything of any interest are the center two:

• The main gate (middle right looking upstream) is a small but quite powerful breaking wave which is great for throwing ends both ways. If you're really quick you can even blunt and spin on it. Not very retentive but if you're gentle it will hold you in a side surf.
• The other gate (middle left looking upstream) produces a really sticky hole which is perfect for pulling endless sequences of ends in the latest boats, but in more 'old school' boats it can be hard because the water flowing under the hole is nowhere near as powerful as the hole in the main gate.

Helleson Mill is currently being run at summer flows with its three small arches closed and all flow through the main arch. This gives a more solid pourover in to a single hole sufficiently deep and holding to allow multiple vertical moves. Eddies either side for very easy access back to the hole after a washout. High flows after serious rain wash the whole weir out, but at these times the sluice in the side- channel is usable (paddle downstream 50yds, turn right, paddle up tributary to sluice on the right, 100yds).

How to get there

Approach Norwich on the A11 and then as you come towards the city you will see signs for Cromer on the A140; follow these. This will take you onto the outer ring road. Continue to follow the signs for Cromer and the A140 and eventually you will see a Burger king on your right and a large trading estate with comet and PC-World on your left. Just before you get to these you will see a turning on your left. Just follow this all the way down the hill and the weir will be straight ahead of you.

More info

For more info and water levels contact Steve.

Locals

There are a few local playboaters who spend a lot of time down there but in general it's empty apart from an odd fisherman who never caused any problems so far.

Info sources

Steve Childs

Peter Dobromylskyj, http://website.lineone.net/~peterdee/