Set off from the rigging green at Chalkwell Beach after high tide and head east (turn left!) towards Southend. Paddle parallel to the shore, past the casino, under the pier, beyond Southend and on to Thorpe Bay to land by the slipway beyond Uncle Tom’s Cabin just short of the coastguard station (SS3 9QR). This is a one-way trip, so either leave a vehicle at the end before you set off, or leave your board by The Shorehouse pub and get a taxi back to the start to collect your car.

Undoubtedly best attempted in north-westerly wind and on an ebbing tide. WNW to westerly wind will be choppier with some bounce-back off the shore in places, but still doable. Leave Chalkwell anytime after high tide – ideally an hour or two for maximum tidal assistance. Don’t try it in southerly or easterly winds, or on a flooding tide. Check tide and wind conditions via our SUP weather page…

Best done in company, not least so you can arrange dropping off vehicles beforehand / or share a cab back afterwards! If there’s any chop (ie; in westerly winds) if the tide’s high there can be bounce-back in places – notably the casino and near the pier. Beware of submerged hazards as the tide drops, usually indicated by green starboard markers. It’s perfectly safe shooting the pier, just give yourself plenty of room. Check the wind and tide via our SUP weather page.