Venue: Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR) to Chalkwell (SS0 8JH) one-way
Arrive: by 7pm (kit drop c.6pm if shuffling vehicles first?)
Launch: after 7.20pm briefing
Finish: c.9pm
Level: Strong, experienced coastal paddlers only

Let’s start with another warning (!) tonight could turn out pretty ‘hardcore’ as we’re going to embrace a strong north-easterly wind for a downwider. We’re hoping it’s solidly cross-offshore enough to stay good and flat on the flood tide with a cross-tailwind the whole way … but inevitably it tends to get choppy under the pier and near the casino. And with this much wind about, there’s never any guarantees how it pans out so things can get pretty ‘challenging’ for some. So please, unless you’re totally confident doing estuary downwinders, tonight’s really not the night to ‘give it a go’. If in doubt, just drop us a quick email or message us and we can advise. Anyway…

It’s been a long while since we were last able to do this (June 2021!) but we’re going to ride the flood tide up the estuary for a downwinder from Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR / https://w3w.co/scared.acting.earth) to Chalkwell (www.supsect.com/thorpe-bay-downwinder-7k) – this is a one-way route, so be ready for the inherent logistical complications!

We all need to be ready to launch straight after a 7.20pm briefing from Shoebury Common Beach (SS3 9QR / https://w3w.co/scared.acting.earth). But we’ll make sure someone’s there from 6pm to keep an eye on kit. So the best way might be to pump up / drop off boards there first, then drive vehicles to Chalkwell (SS0 8JH – where you will need to pay for parking until 9pm) and arrange a lift (or cab?) back to Shoebury Common in good time for the 7.20pm briefing and launch. Or alternatively buddy up and arrange to drop a vehicle at Chalkwell on the way?

An equally viable plan C would be to simply get yourself to the launch on time (ie; arrive by 7pm), leave your vehicle there and blag a lift back at the end with someone. This really won’t be a problem (cabs being the fallback option at c.£5 a head if necessary) and we will all hang at Chalkwell for as long as we need to get everyone happily sorted and packed away before heading off for late dinner and drinks…