SUP Club headed off down the Ray from Two Tree on one of our favourite routes last night – fully prepared to pay the price with a bit of a headwind home, as per worst case scenario on the forecasts. But a suitably strong group of 25 pushed back into the sunset to end a classic evening. And we earnt our late supper for sure, amidst the post-footie carnage at the filthy Elms!

Venue: Two Tree Island (SS9 2GB)
Meeting: from c.7.20pm
Launch: after 7.45pm briefing
Finish: c.9.30pm
Level: strong, experienced coastal paddlers only

Warning: we’re rolling the dice in order to get out at the coast from Two Tree tonight, even though it may mean pushing back against a fairly stiff breeze if we’re unlucky. Which really isn’t something we’d usually do. But we’re gambling on the westerly wind backing right off towards sunset, so it might be bliss or it might be carnage in the end – therefore everyone needs to be ready to potentially slog home against a headwind as the sun sets and dusk descends. If you’re up for (and up to) that, see you later: if not, please give this week a miss. Tonight definitely isn’t for new SUP Clubbers, weaker paddlers or those of a nervous disposition.

So, experienced coastal paddlers only and we’ll need to make sure we stay well grouped up and together throughout; so faster paddlers, please be ready and patient for plenty of looping and regrouping on the way back as necessary. The (0.71m) low tide and a light enough westerly breeze mean we can hit the coast from Two Tree. If conditions allow we’re planning to head down the Ray, launching just under an hour before the 20.45 low water and turning just before the tide turns. We’ll see how far we can safely get before turning and heading home before it gets dark after the 21.17pm sunset.

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) with the necessary strength and ability to paddle themselves home against a headwind and tide. And definitely not in need of a lesson to do so – which of course we offer via www.supsect.com/learn-to-sup.

Meeting from 7.20pm at Two Tree ahead of a 7.45pm briefing at the top of the slipway (please, no late-comers, 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 (assuming the filthy Elms hasn’t melted from the footie fallout…)