Venue: Chalkwell (SS0 8JH) to Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR, near Thorpe Bay) one-way
Arrive: c.6.05pm
Launch: after 6.35pm briefing
Finish: c.8.20pm
Level: Strong, experienced coastal paddlers only

As ever with downwinders, we are reserving the right to take one look at the water and head straight to the pub for SUP Club tonight! But having enjoyed such perfect conditions for our downwinders so far this season, we’re hoping to ride our luck and score suitable weather again. (Yet if we’re unlucky and the wind ends up stronger and/or more westerly than predicted, there’s always the risk of some nasty chop and tricky conditions – so we need to know everyone’s genuinely up to that. ie; properly capable of standing-up and paddling strong in breezy high tide estuary conditions…) Because this week the tides – 17.05 high at 5.44m – and wind are setting up just right for the down-tide / downwinder from Chalkwell to Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR).

So, standard repeated warning: it’s forecast gentle enough WNW cross-shore breeze, veering NW, that we’re hoping it should turn out good and flat on the ebbing tide with a light tailwind the whole way … although inevitably it always tends to get at least a bit choppy near the casino and under the pier. Yet there are never any guarantees exactly how it pans out. If we’re unlucky and that breeze backs westerly and strengthens, we’re potentially looking at challenging conditions (rolling chop with bounceback) that really wouldn’t be viable for some. So please, unless you’re totally confident in your abilities to stand-up and paddle strong on the estuary in those conditions, tonight’s not the night to ‘give it a go’. Speed is of the essence too, as we will only go as fast as our slowest paddler – yet going too slowly isn’t easy on longer, narrower boards. So if you’re of a nervous disposition or not yet keeping up with the pack at standard SUP Clubs we would ask that you please sit this one out. (That said, if the forecast models are right, we expect the majority of our regular paddlers should be good for this one – and we do want to be as inclusive as possible. So if in any doubt whatsoever, please drop us a quick email or message us and we can advise. Anyway…)

In short, we’re going to ride the ebb tide down the estuary for a downwinder from Chalkwell (SS0 8JH) to Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR, near Thorpe Bay) – this is a one-way route, so be prepared (and suitably patient) for the inherent logistical complications!

We all need to be ready to launch straight after a 6.35pm briefing from Chalkwell (SS0 8JH). So we’d like everyone arriving from 6.05pm (we should have someone there early enough to keep an eye on kit, so if you want to pump up / drop off boards you’ll need to be there soon after 5pm – then drive to Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR / https://w3w.co/scared.acting.earth) and arrange a lift, cab or any other wacky races strategy back (against the wind) to Chalkwell / SS0 8JH in good time for the 6.35pm briefing and launch. Or alternatively, buddy up and arrange to drop vehicles at Shoebury Common on the way? Or an equally viable plan is to simply get yourself straight to the launch on time (ie; arriving soon after 6.05pm), leave your vehicle there and grab a lift back at the end with someone. This really shouldn’t be a problem (cabs being the fallback option at c.£5 a head if necessary) and we will make sure everyone’s happily sorted and packed at Shoebury Common before heading back to pick up vehicles from Chalkwell, then off for dinner and drinks (probably up at the Elms?) Remember: no stress, just do whatever works for you.

Oh, parking-wise, Chalkwell Esplanade should cost £5 from 6-9pm (+10p if you use the app). And the Shoebury Common car-park closes at 8.30pm, which should about right for us. But if you’re worried about running late, maybe best to park down Ness Road, by the boat ramp.