Canvey Island

Reclaimed from the Thames Estuary, Canvey sits almost entirely below sea level surrounded by huge defensive sea walls. The south-facing beach beyond them shelves a few hundred metres into the deep water channel, throwing decent peaks from any windswell. This is a busy shipping lane though, so don't get too close to the tankers and container ships, and always sail wind against tide to take advantage of the strong Thames current. After a spell of solid easterly wind, 'The Point' at the end of Marine Parade can offer respectable sideshore wavesailing conditions.