Essex location guides for Wrabness (Holbrook Bay) , West Mersea
Flat Water: YES Wind Chop: Some Waves: NO Beach: Hard Sand/Shingle Wind Direction : W-E S
Car parking : On the beach! Toilets : No Caf� : No
Nearest Windsurf Shop : SkiSurf, Colchester or a little further away : Wet'n'Dry nr Basildon.
Wind information : None nearby. Tide information can be found here.
There are several launch spots from Wrabness itself (small arrows), but they mostly require carrying kit over banks etc. The access roads seen on an OS map are mostly privately owned by the caravan site, so access is not as good as it might appear. The spot detailed here (large arrow) is technically in Bradfield, 2 miles West of Wrabness, but it allows unrestricted access to the shore.
Finding this spot is, however, a bit tricky, and definitely requires close inspection of the map! Approach on the B1352. In the centre of Bradfield, the access track (Shore Lane) is squeezed between two houses, next to a large brick wall. You can't really see it until you are right next to it, so you're very likely to miss it at first. It's the only track heading towards the river in the village though, so you'll find it eventually. (Don't mistake the tracks to Nether Hall / Jaques Hall, or Ragmarsh Farm). Drive down under the railway and park on the shore itself. NOTE: The tide can come up and covers the whole shore, so don't leave your car here and sail through high-tide!
The sailing is normally best a few hours before high-tide, with current against wind, but the currents are not really too strong here.
[NOTE: I've only actually sailed here once, so if you know it better and can add some better info. then please let me know]!
West Mersea Windsurf guide
West Mersea, on Mersea Island, is a nice flat-water venue particularly suitable for beginners and intermediates. It is quite a popular location, and if there is wind then there is usually someone sailing here. There is a huge grassy car park for rigging on, and a safe beach that is shallow for a long way out. There are regular equipment demos run here, as well as some informal race evenings, so it's worth checking the local store (SkiSurf) for details, as well as checking out the local club. At anything other than high tide, very sticky mud and sharp mussel beds are exposed, making boots a necessity. If you like long reaches, you can make the 2-mile crossing over to the Bradwell power station, but don't do this alone! Flat Water: YES Wind Chop: Small Waves: NO Shorebreak: NO Beach: Shingle/Sand/Mud & Mussels Wind Direction : NE-SW W-N
Car parking : YES (�2/free) Toilets : YES Caf� : YES
Nearest Windsurf Shop : SkiSurf, Colchester or a little further away : Wet'n'Dry nr Basildon.
Wind information : None nearby, but try here Tide information can be found here
West Mersea is located approximately 8 or 9 miles South East of Colchester. Access is via the A12 / A120 and the B1025. Cross the causeway onto the island and turn left rather than following the road to the right. Turn right into Dawes Lane when you see loads of brown "tourist info" signs, then right again at the end of the road. Finally turn left into SeaView Avenue and follow to the beach. There is a small car-park on the right, opposite The Mersea Windsurfers hut, or turn right and follow the seafront to the large grassy car-park further West.
There is not much to be said for the sailing area itself, except that the beach can get pretty busy on a hot summer's day. At low to mid tide there is a lot of mud exposed, together with very sharp mussel beds that will cut you or your equipment very easily. A bit of a sticky walk through the mud is necessary to reach the water, especially if you have a large fin. Definitely wear boots, and try to keep the mud off your kit! The sailing here is mainly flat water blasting and racing, but it is also a great place to learn your gybes or practice a bit of freestyle.