Venue: Chalkwell (SS0 8JH) to Thorpe Bay (SS1 3HL / https://w3w.co/entire.supporter.wizard) – one-way
Arrive: c.5.30pm (at Chalkwell) 
Launch: after 6pm briefing
Finish: c.7.40pm?
Level: Strong, experienced, chop-capable coastal paddlers only

As ever with downwinders, we reserve the right to change plans and maybe head straight to the pub if conditions don’t turn out suitable for SUP Club tonight… Because with a north-westerly breeze we’re taking on the Chalkwell to Thorpe Bay downwinder / down-tider to catch the 16.28 high tide (@5.61m) and 19.10 sunset. Strong, experienced, chop-capable coastal paddlers only – with calm and patience for transport / vehicle logistics afterwards.

In short, we’re going to ride the ebb tide down the estuary for a downwinder from Chalkwell (SS0 8JH) to Thorpe Bay (SS1 3HL / https://w3w.co/entire.supporter.wizard) – this is a one-way route, so be ready (and suitably patient) for the inherent logistical complications!

And of course, standard warning: it’s broadly forecast north-west backing westerly breeze tonight – which could get at least a little choppy past the casino and under the pier. Maybe uncomfortably so if we’re unlucky and that breeze backs south-westerly and fills in, we’re potentially looking at challenging conditions (rolling cross-chop with bounceback) that really wouldn’t be viable for everyone. 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’.

We all need to be ready to launch straight after a 6pm briefing from Chalkwell (SS0 8JH). So we’d like everyone arriving from c.5.30pm. And so as not to push our luck we’re getting out c.6km downwind at the Thorpe Bay zebra crossing at the western (bowling club) end of the green (SS1 3HL / https://w3w.co/entire.supporter.wizard … ie; nearer town, the opposite end from the yacht club!) so anyone early enough to shuffle vehicles might leave boards etc at Chalkwell (assuming there’s someone there to look after them – check on our messenger group), drop vehicles and hopefully get a lift back from Thorpe Bay (there should be free parking up St Augustine’s Ave and west up Thorpe Bay Gardens). Or an equally viable plan is to simply get yourself straight to the launch on time (ie; arriving c.5.30pm), leave your vehicle there and grab a lift back at the end with someone (just be ready to pay big money to park at Chalkwell). 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 Thorpe Bay before heading back to pick up vehicles from Chalkwell, then off for dinner and drinks (probably up at the Elms?) But remember: don’t stress, just do whatever works for you.