Dom, Stephen, Clare, Jeremy and Dan paddled in Chichester Harbour on 31st August 2022. Our original plan had to be modified due to the strong W/SW winds which would have made launching/landing from the South beach challenging. We launched instead from Sparkes Marina, so we could paddle in the lee of the wind up the east coast of the island. The marina turned out to be a wise choice, because the daily charge £11 per car wasn’t much more than parking at South or West Beach and there was a short walk down to a launching pontoon. After difficulties encountered previously in Chichester harbour, we took our tidal planning seriously. We paddled with the flood tide and after eating our sandwiches overlooking the mainland at high water we headed back with the ebb tide (taking a slightly different course for variety) and made sure that we didn’t get swept out of the mouth of the harbour. We were fairly tired by the end of the trip, because of the continuing heat, so it was probably a good job that we did not attempt the circumnavigation.
On the water we saw lots of seals – one enormous and the others juveniles. There were also lots of egrets and a variety of other types of bird – oystercatchers, swifts and (we think) snipe. This is a beautiful area for bird watching. It was a shame our wildlife expert, Rob, missed out due to illness.
After a pleasant drink sitting outside the marina bar we headed home with light traffic due to the football final – thank you, Lionesses!
Sparkes Marina
Outward from Sparkes Marina to the bench at the entrance of Northney Marina.
Small beach below the bench at the entrance to Northney Marina