It’s taken us 13 years to try this route for SUP Club, but a super-neapy tide and just the right weather let us go ‘the wrong way’ from Hullbridge last night – and it turned out pretty amazing… A vibey 6km paddle under quite some sky, followed by a kebabbie dinner and drinks overlooking the water at our favourite local drinking den. We’re loving autumn so far!

Venue: Hullbridge (SS5 6ND)
Meeting: c.4.45pm
Launch: after 5.15pm briefing
Finish: c.7pm
Level: strong (CHA licensed) estuary paddlers

We’re taking SUP Club salty again, with a totally non-standard night from Hullbridge. It’s a super-neapy tide with a pleasingly light southerly / south-easterly breeze so we’re going to do something we’ve never tried on a Wednesday evening before: heading out just after mid-tide against a flood stream, towards Brandy Hole. So we need to know everyone’s capable of paddling against some flow, and happy on tidal waters, although we’re expecting it to stay pleasingly flat. Regular SUP Clubbers on longer boards should be absolutely fine, but again this week’s not one for newbies, estuary first-timers or those of a nervous disposition…

We are of course hoping for a decent paddle – if it pans out how we think it should, conditions could turn out totally benign. So we’re going to hit the tidal Crouch from Hullbridge, we’ll confirm details at the briefing, which this week will be by the water. To suit sunset (18.35) we’ll have to meet ridiculously early from c.4.45pm to be comfortably set up at Hullbridge (w3w.co/nurtures.clockwork.outsmart / SS5 6ND) ahead of a 5.15pm briefing by the water. Please be ready to launch immediately after the briefing: strictly no late-comers. We’ll be coming back during dusk, so navigation lights are recommended. (You know the drill: just reds and greens please, no bright whites!)

Note: there’s now a solid 2.2m height restriction into the free car-park. And of course, all paddlers should be registered with the Crouch Harbour Authority to paddle.

After, we’ll definitely go for at least a drink at the Smugg – although food might take some negotiation. (Those of a hangry disposition might want to bring a sandwich!) They still have an arrangement with the kebabbie, so we might be able to order in advance to save a wait later, or do so as soon as we get off the water before packing up? So dinner’s doable, but might involve just a little faff is all…