Only suitable towards the top of the tide so there’s enough water to get beyond Old Leigh! Although there’s water at Chalkwell from mid-tide, Old Leigh and the marshes are only fully flooded within an hour of high water, before and after which the currents start getting pretty strong. For tidal assistance both ways, set off from half an hour (6kmph) to 20 minutes (8kmph) before high tide – you could leave it up to half an hour later for more of a pull home if you don’t mind working a bit harder to get there, but try and stick within slack water (the 2-hours around high). Great in light northerly winds, and stays flat enough for comfort in moderate west to north-easterlies. Avoid south-west via south to easterlies. Check tide and wind conditions via our SUP weather page…