Strong tidal currents, so stick to slack water (within an hour of high tide) – and make sure you know the tide times, which are slightly different to Southend and get a little later higher up the River Crouch. Look out for motor and sailing traffic from the various local boat clubs: give way to sail and stay right if you see motorised craft. Beware of shallows, moorings and some submerged structures near the banks. Be careful getting under the Hawk Hill road bridge and then very careful negotiating the wooden pole / lock / sluicegate – be advised that the solid sluicegate structure is just a couple of feet below the pole! The river does get very narrow and occasionally impassible higher up; beware branches overhanging and in the water. Check tide and wind conditions via our SUP weather page…