South-East.

South, South-West, South-East, North-East

A strong SW wind can give decent onshore bump and jump conditions, with a moderate shorebreak at high tide. NE winds will give port tack wave riding if there is a storm. In both cases, to get any hint of a rideable wave, there needs to be a huge amount of swell and wind.

North and North-Westerly wind directions should be avoided (If it is high tide, then Point Clear, near St Osyth to the South, or Walton Backwaters, to the North, provides good alternatives in this direction).

Mid to high tide incoming is best for waves. Low tide is great for intermediates, as it is possible to stand a long way out.

Sand.

Be sure to give the fishtail groynes a wide berth. At spring tides there is a lot of current running into and out of the Thames Estuary. Bear this in mind if it is wind with tide, especially if you are anywhere near the pier.

Kite surfers, a few jet skiers in the summer, swimmers and yachts.

Beginners to advanced. It is calm enough to teach and good for every level, depending on the wind strength. Wind against tide produces constant broad reaching, which is perfect for blasting and gybing.

The shorebreak at high tide can be quite munchy. The windier it is the more chance of a wipeout, but no mast high waves to worry about.

None, but nearby Skisurf in Colchester can organise instruction at Alton Water (see archive section) Tel. 01206 502000 info@skisurf.co.uk

No.

The locals led by Dave, Martin and Adrian are a good bunch, and the sailing is really sociable. However, they do tend to sail as far as the horizon, so be warned!

The locals led by Dave, Martin and Adrian are a good bunch, and the sailing is really sociable. However, they do tend to sail as far as the horizon, so be warned!

Go to www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk , enter the site and click on Where to Stay.

Dave White, Nick Green and the Whiteboarders team are often seen out. Boardseekermag Features Editor Clyde Waite is also a local. Gregg Dunnett from Boards Magazine also originally hails from Clacton.

During the summer there is a regular north-easterly sea breeze which gives good chop out to sea, and dead flat water in Martello Bay.

Gale Force NE winds can produce some nice waves (very rare, some of the pictures are from one of these days, so don’t be confused!)

Used to regularly host BWA events, but now the UKWA have moved national events to Mersea Island.

From the M25 take the A12 eastbound. From the east and north of the country take the A14, exit at Ipswich and take the A12 towards Colchester.

At the Colchester A12 bypass, exit onto the A120 and follow the signs to Clacton. As the dual carriage ends, continue on the A133 (Clacton By Pass). Continue towards the town centre and then the sea front. Once you hit the beach, take a right and drive south of the pier. You will pass a large ‘green’ on your left between the road and the sea, this is West Beach. Continue to the left bend, and take the first left after the car park. Continue past the Martello Tower and find anywhere to park. Rig up and go sailing.

Local sailor Clyde Waite

Photos by: Dave White & Alan Waite

West/South-west.

South-west, South, North-east.

South-west or North-west storms.

North-west, North.

It is not advisable to windsurf at high tide as the sea comes right up to the sea wall. Low tide on the way is best and wind against tide is even better. On spring tides this area has a strong current channelling in and out of the Thames estuary. In these conditions take a bigger fin and sail than normal.

Clay and sand hence the brown colour of the sea, honest!

You can accidently sail into the groynes at mid tide and there is a rocky point but you would have to try real hard to get caught on it!

The sailing club holds regular races and there are a few swimmers in the summer.

Intermediates upwards. However, in lightwinds and at low tide it is fine for beginners.

Pretty low unless you decide to come in at high tide. It can then be quite tricky as you battle with the wind shadow and shoredump onto the sailing club launch ramp!

No

No

The sailing club are a friendly bunch. They used to all be windsurfers but are now into high performance dinghies.

The sailing club are a friendly bunch. They used to all be windsurfers but are now into high performance dinghies.

Go to www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.ukEnter the site and click on Where to Stay.

There are not so many around these days but Simon Pearce, Jono and Gregg Dunnett, Clyde Waite, Tim Davies and Saul Lindsell all learnt their skills here in the good old days!

There is a seabreeze that is windiest at Holland on Sea in the summer. I reckon it is because of the local accelerating factor (the cliff) combined with the large, flat land mass of the peninsular! It can get up to 5.0 metre weather and will always be sunny. If the conditions are right it will come in from the North-east during spring and summer. If you do get what is locally called a ‘Roger’ then you will have to wobble out the first hundred yards to the windline!

Clacton is just down the road as an alternative venue and for more social windsurfing.

From the M25 take the A12 to Colchester. If you are coming from the North, then travel on the A14 to Ipswich then take the A12 to Colchester. At Colchester take the A120 then A133 to Clacton on Sea. Before entering Clacton you will find a large roundabout with the options Clacton and Holland on Sea. Follow the signs to Holland on Sea. You will pass a B&Q and a Ford dealership and Happy Valley golf. At the end of this road take a left to Holland on Sea. Take the second right into Kings Avenue. The beach is at the end of this road!

Clyde Waite

South-east

North-east, South, South-west

North-east

North, West and North-west

It goes out quite a long way and is a fairly strong current on Springs. At high tide the water come in right against the sea wall. Best avoided.

Sand

Groynes at high tide.

Swimmers in the summer, some Kite surfers. Although it is usually very uncrowded.

You need some coastal experience. It rarely gets too gnarly, although it does have it’s days in the winter.

The sea state is quite lumpy and there can be a bit of a shorebreak if there has been any swell for a few days. But otherwise it is pretty mellow.

None

None

Quiet, only a few locals.

Quiet, only a few locals.

David Cains, Mark and Rob from Skisurf.

A few days of north-easterlies and an incoming tide can bring in some OK waves and really good ramps to jump off.
If it is too offshore at nearby Clacton-on-Sea, then Frinton is the best place to go.

M25, A12, A120 then A133 to Clacton. At Weely take the B1033 to Frinton. Follow signs to the seafront and then take a right. Drive to the end of the road and park opposite the slipway.

Clyde Waite