Clacton

Clacton-on-Sea is a beach break located on the Essex coast of the United Kingdom, facing northeast into the North Sea. The spot features a sandy beach with visible man-made structures (groynes) designed to manage coastal erosion, which create navigation obstacles for water sports. The site sits in a populated seaside town with substantial residential development immediately behind the beach, limiting available space for launching and landing. Wind conditions are marginal with an average of 9.9 knots and relatively low reliability at 27.1%, making consistent sessions challenging. The shallow, choppy water with 0.47m average wave height indicates this is primarily a flat-water spot suitable for learning basics rather than wave riding. Side-shore winds from the northwest (315°) provide the safest riding conditions. The groynes present both a navigation hazard and a feature that can provide some wind acceleration. This spot is most suitable for beginners in light wind conditions, with priority given to avoiding the structural obstacles and managing shallow water transitions.