The Packing shed on Mersea Island has a special open day for paddlers of any craft to come and join them for tea and cake

Just like their cream tea open days, but make your own way to The Shed by paddle board, kayak, canoe or dinghy etc. Home made cake and tea or coffee plus free refill. £5 minimum donation (children £2.50, includes squash and biscuits).

The finer details – Wow you lot are keen. Two plans for two groups – make sure you read the right one. Sea Kayakers keep scrolling down

Tides – HIGH WATER 16:28 5.4M That’s quite high.

WEATHER – regardless of whether its blowing old boots, or raining cats and dogs we will be going on this paddle. Hurricanes, tornados and acts of God will be considered on the day!

Communications – VHF CH 72

For river boats – thats white water boats, and canoes – anything but a sea kayak!

Meeting 13:30 QVJX+F7 Colchester – The Hammer Head 143 Coast Rd, West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8NX. The address is for Dabchicks Sailing Club which is right next to the Hammer Head. We will launch either from the jetty or the beach.

Car Parking – you can park in the pay and display next to the Hammer Head, or dump off your boat and park up on one of the side roads off of Firs Road; suggest Hamlet Road or Rosebank Road. NOTE – If you park on the Hammer Head your car could get flooded out by the high tide.

The Plan

We will paddle out past the Sheds to the Virley Channel/North Channel of Tollesbury Fleet where we will play/wait for the those pesky sea kayakers to come in. Once seen we will go to the shed for tea and cake. On the way home we can again play on the sand banks or just head straight back. Bring your cameras.

What you need to bring – the very basics

Boat, blade, BA, Bottle of water and suitable clothing (several thin layers are better than one thick layer) and suitable shoes as you will be walking on Oyster shells which will hurt your feet. You will also need a £5 note or your credit card for tea and cake – regardless of whether you eat or drink, this trip is to raise funds for the upkeep of the shed.

In the past BCC members have set off from Mersea Island by the Esplanade in creek boats (your WW boat) or from Bradwell in sea kayaks. Some members have even sailed there. This would be a good trip for the inexperienced to come along to. Weather conditions will of course play a big part but even if there is a bit of chop an interesting paddle, albeit a bit short, can be had by launching from the hammer head at West Mersea. see www.packing-shed.org.uk/special-events-2023

For Sea Kayakers

Tides – LOW WATER 10:20, HIGH WATER 16:28 5.4M spring tide (thats high)

Weather – This plan is subject to the conditions and participants on the day

Communications – VHF Ch 72/16

Meeting 07:30 PVMP+MQ Southminster, Waterside Rd, Bradwell Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Southminster CM0 7QY. We want to be on the water for 08:00, so if you’re slow at getting ready arrive earlier!

Car Parking – Bradwell Marina Carpark Waterside, Bradwell-on-Sea, Bradwell Waterside, Essex CM0 7RB Cost £1 all day (I believe). Drop off boats and kit on the public slipway then re park vehicle at the marina cp.

The Plan

An idea to get on the water at Bradwell at 08:00 ferry glide towards Mersea on the ebbing tide to get in the lee of the island towards the Colne bar. LW 10:20 stopping for something to eat then returning towards the packing shed aiming to get there to meet the other team for 15:00 for tea and cake. Returning to Bradwell after that on slack water High.
The forecast wind at the moment is Northwesterly max 14-28kns f4-low f7 hopefully this will ease.

Spring tides.

What you need to bring

See above plus usual safety kit – Spare paddle, First Aid, repair kit, spare clothing, food. Vhf radio if you have one and flares/ e Flare.

Talk to Barry if unsure.