Venue: Two Tree Island (SS9 2GB)
Meeting: from c.6pm
Launch: after 6.30pm briefing
Finish: c.8.30pm
Level: Competent coastal paddlers

Gentle warning: although the forecast is allowing us out at the coast from Two Tree tonight, and it’s perfectly safe, from experience with today’s predicted light (enough) southerly breeze, we’re still anticipating that tonight’s paddle out could well prove ‘challenging’ for some. It shouldn’t be too fierce or too choppy (if it is, we’ll just hide out in the dogleg) so should be within the ability of all regular SUP Clubbers – but with any added sea breeze effect, this sort of forecast does tend to string the fleet out: stronger paddlers on longer boards will have no problem whatsoever charging out down the Ray, whereas newer paddlers on shorter boards may not get very far or go very fast. And there’s a whole spectrum in-between depending on quite what level of breeze we encounter. Just saying, tonight won’t be ideal for everyone – it’s definitely not for new SUP Clubbers or those of a nervous disposition…

But as long as you’re up to / for a bit of a workout! The (relatively low at 0.61m) tide and a light enough breeze mean we can hit the coast from Two Tree. If conditions allow we’re planning to head down the Ray, launching an hour before the 19.36 low water and possibly into a fair bit of a cross-headwind. We therefore need up-for-it, competent coastal paddlers tonight – comfortable with breezy 8km routes and with the necessary strength, skills and experience to paddle themselves out of trouble if necessary. We’ll aim to get right down to Seal Point, but will see how far we get in practise before turning when the tide turns to cruise back with a dying breeze – aiming to land soon after the 20.30, comfortably ahead of the 21.18 sunset. (Plan B, in case conditions really don’t turn out conducive, we’ll just stick to the dogleg for a splashabout…)

This week needs to be competent, confident coastal paddlers only (ie; able to stand up and paddle strong and non-stop for 90+ minutes, able to paddle themselves out of trouble if necessary, with experience of exposed 8km estuary routes). And definitely not in need of a lesson to do so – which of course we offer via www.supsect.com/learn-to-sup.

So meeting from 6pm at Two Tree ahead of a 6.30pm briefing at the top of the slipway (please, no late-comers tonight, we need everyone ready to go as we’ll be hitting the water straight after). Then once we’re done we’ll head off to the pub for a quick dinner and drink…