On big wind days local sailors are blasting up and down on the super smooth water aswell as sometimes World Production Speed Sailing Champion and Essex boy Dave White! On the windiest days of the year you'll see speed sailors comming from all over the country to try and smash there own record!
The key to the flat water is the far side of the Ray bank, which curves cleanly in to the water allowing you to sail very close to the edge in flat water.
The Walk
From the beach it’s about a 10 min walk out to the Ray along a path to the left of the beach as you look out. The path starts at the Crowstone marker and goes over a small bridge to the Ray gut, which runs in to Leigh-on-Sea. From the gut it’s a short walk to the Ray.
Tides
You can windsurf around 3 hours either side of low tide. Most sailors sail out and walk in or walk out and sail in. When sailing around before the Ray is exposed watch out for shallow banks, these move around every year so its best to sail the Ray at low tide only until you know where the shallow banks are. This also applies to the Ray itself, it tends to shallow at the pier end!
Best winds for the Ray
S or SE is a good direction for blasting up and down on big sail and small boards or sailing Freestyle kit. You get long runs along the western end of the Ray towards Leigh-on-Sea.
SW or W is a great direction for speed sailing and blasting along the eastern end of the Ray passed the dogleg, which is about half way. The fastest for speed sailing is towards the Western end of the Ray on a SW swinging West wind. This gives you the broadest coarse close to the bank.
Nearest postcode SS0 8JH
If you need any other info on sailing the local area please feel free to give us a call at WetnDry Boardsports, we will be happy to help. 01268569988
