Welcome to the inaugural Essex Witch, the latest addition to the National Ocean Racing Series, in the Eastern Region. We are looking forward to an unforgettable day of competition for surfski, SUP, OC1 and OC2. 

  • Race Director: Doug Herbert 
  • Event Location:   Clacton Sailing Club, The Esplanade, Holland on Sea, CO15 5TU 
  • Date: Saturday 16 August 2025 

With thanks to  Clacton Sailing Club for hosting Essex Witch 25,  and to all who make this race such a success, including: GB Ocean Racing Committee, Tendering Council, SLSGB and Paddle UK, Votwo, Ocean Surfski and all the volunteers and families and supporters.  

 

Race information for Essex Witch 2025

This is a non-profit event, designed for surfski, outriggers and SUPs, raced around 3 laps of a triangular course off Clacton Beach, approx. 10 miles / 16kms. This Grade 1 race is specifically designed to suit all levels of paddlers, from first time racers (who may wish to complete 1, 2 or 3 laps) through to those trialling for the GB Ocean Racing Team. 

This Ocean Race is one of seven GB Team Assessment race of the 2025 season. 

Race Day Information: 

  • Parking: Competitors are to use the Sailing club car park or the pay and display parking nearest the Sailing club– this is a ticket and pay.
  • Toilets: There is a Public Toilet between the Sailing club and parking
  • Campsite:  Great Holland Campsite 
  • Cafes:  local Café’s adjacent to the car park

Updates for race information:

Race information will be updated on the Ocean Surfski website, and from 48hrs before the start on social media and the race Whatsapp group.  

Join the race info WhatsApp Group here

QR Code for Trackers - to follow

Race Instructions as PDF

Timings: 

Registration

09.30

Race Brief

11.00

Marshall SUP & Outriggers

11.30

SUP Start

11.40

Marshall Surfski

11.45

Outrigger Start

11.50

Surfski Start

12.00

Approximate last finisher

14.00

Clear beach, close course

14.30

Results and Prize Giving

15.00

To enter Competitors must:

  • Be a current Member of Paddle UK (or home nation UK associations).
  • Single day membership is available for purchase with entry. 
  • Agree to the Race Declaration, Self Competency and Indemnity statements when completing the Entry Form 
  • Carry the requisite safety equipment (see below)

Please note SLS membership is not valid for this race. 

 

Min Safety Equipment for ALL competitors:

Bring safety equipment (except the craft) to be checked at Registration. No equipment, no race.

  • Seaworthy craft (ski, outrigger or SUP) suitable for the conditions and paddler competency
  • Whistle
  • Leg leash. You are responsible for ensuring it is securely attached to your leg and craft. 
  • Body PFD that complies to ICF OR standards.
  • Means of communication - either VHF radio or mobile phone, charged and in working condition in waterproof pouch securely fitted to the paddler/PFD.  
  • Race bib, number facing forward (issued at Registration, to be handed in at the finish line). Do NOT cut or change your race bib, it is worn over your PFD.  
  • Tracker (fitted at registration, handed in at the finish line).
  • Boat number sticker (issued at Registration) 

GB Ocean Racing Team Assessment Race:

For those wishing to be assessed for the GB OR Team you must refer to the Paddle UK Ocean Racing Selection Policy and complete the Athlete Registration Form .

The Appeals process is here Ocean Racing – GB Team Athlete Registration

Classes:

Minimum age 16 on the day of the event (younger competitors will be considered on receipt of an email from an established Ocean Racing Coach, vouching for competency on the ocean, to info@oceansurfski.co.uk).

The Event will follow the ICF Classes:

  • Under 18* Men and Women – must be 17 or under on the 1st Jan 2025
  • Under 23* Men and Women - must be 22 or under on the 1st Jan 2025
  • Open 23-34* Men and Women 
  • Para* Men and Women 
  • Masters 35-54 Men and Women - Must be 35 on the 1st Jan 2025(Non-Assessment)
  • Veterans 55+ Men and Women - Must be 55 on the 1st Jan 2025(Non-Assessment)
  • Open Doubles for any combination of paddlers wish to enter (Non-Assessment).

 *If you are wishing to use this event as a GB Assessment Race you MUST enter either U18,U23, Open or Para, and complete the BC Athlete Registration form prior to racing.

The Course

 

Warm Up: 

Stay clear of the SUP and Outriggers starts

Starting Line:

On all West dominant wind directions competitor will follow the course in an Anti-Clockwise direction keeping all the buoy’s on their left-hand side as they pass them.

On all East dominant wind directions competitor will follow the course in a Clockwise direction keeping all the buoy’s on their right-hand side as they pass them.

Course Selection: The final course will be set up on the day from the portfolio of pre-prepared plans

  • Start line is between flags with RNLI Station to Right as you look out to sea.
  • Come into the Marshall area when requested. 
  • Keep space between competitors.
  • Line on the Pre-start Marshall Line in numerical order. Lowest number away from the RNLI station.
  • Pre-start safety kit reminder – comms, leashes, PFD. 

 

The Start for each Race:

  • Run in Start for SUP
  • Water starts for Outrigger and Surfski - Knee deep, stand to the left of your craft.
  • Whistle - move into the water.
  • Flag up on safety boat – Start within 1 minute 
  • Flag down - Go 
  • False start – Continuous air horn or whistle.
  • The Safety Boat will lead the first Competitors onto the course and around the first lap.

 

Course Description: 

·       Full Course: Approximate 10 Miles / 16Km

·       Each Lap: Approximately 3 Miles / 5Km

·       Out Leg: Approximate 0.5 Mile / 800m

·       Return Leg: Approximate 0.5 Mile / 800m

 

The course consists of an outward leg, 3 triangles and an inward leg:

  • Cross the Swimming Area
  • Leave the Turn Buoy to your left.
  • Leave the Navigational Buoys to your right
  • To the Offset buoy marked by the course Control Boat
  • The paddlers are directed onto the lap course. 

 

  • A lap consists of three buoys in a triangle, with the downwind leg being longest leg and two upwind legs. 
  • When the Surfski Race leader has completed 3 Laps the course closes.
  • The Safety Boats will sound a horn to say the course is closed – finish the lap you are on. 
  • ALL paddlers then continue back to the start area to finish on start line. 
  • Make sure you go around the turn buoy leading to the finish.
  • All competitors must inform the Control Boat if you are finishing before 3 laps or are withdrawing from the race. 
  • The race Control Boat will be taking a running tally of laps you have completed as you pass the control buoy.

 

At the Finish

  • Take off your leg Leash once you turn to towards the finish.
  • Finish line - between the 2 black and white checked flags (flags will be 0.5m deep) Race time will stop. Competitors will finish in the water. 
  • Once finished clear the finish line as quickly as possible and take your craft to one side, clear of the water.
  • Take you and your paddle through the finishing funnel
  • Ensure you are ticked off as finished 
  • Tell the finish official how many laps you have completed. 
  • Hand in your Race Bib and Tracker. This proves you are off the course. 
  • Move your craft away from the finish area.

 

4 long blasts of the Horn is the signal that the race has been abandoned and competitors are required to return to shore immediately [by their safest/quickest route]. Anyone declaring a hearing impairment must have made race organisers aware prior to the race and this information will be stored against their unique race ID number.

In the event of any signal by horn; IRBs are responsible to track these individual numbers to give hand signals to return to shore after either; passing the Control Boat OR immediately returning to shore if the race is abandoned.

Race Conditions:

This is an Ocean Race dependent on the weather, there is no plan B race. We will be reviewing the race conditions in the 5 days prior to the event, and an update will be provided, on social media and the website.  If necessary a final call by the event team will be made 48 hours prior to the start of the race and a refund less admin fee will follow. 

GPS Event Tracking and Bibs

  • All competitors will wear a GPS tracker provided by votwo.co.uk for competitor safety, and for friends and family to follow all the race action 'LIVE' on the day.
  • All competitors will hand in their tracker and race bib immediately at the end of the race. You will be charged for any missing trackers / bibs.
  • To follow the action go to : Geotracks Live Link (to follow)

 

Safety:

  • This is an Ocean Race – there is an assumed level of risk in competing in this event.
  • Understanding your own personal competency and making the right decisions will keep you safe - You are responsible for your own safety.
  • By entering and starting you are making the declaration you have confirmed:
  • That you have the required competency for the conditions, and have the required safety equipment as by the event instructions, which you have inspected, along with your craft, know how to use and self-certify they are ‘fit for purpose’
  • Contact for the race organiser is:  07813 845890 Back up: 07768630388
  • VHF Channel tbc.
  • Hot Day – fluids, clothing. Race approx. 1hr30mins.
  • If you are in difficulty, press the emergency button on the race tracker, wave your paddle or arm in the air and blow whistle if possible.
  • Spare paddles will be carried by Safety Boats.
  • If you are near to a person in the water who requests help / or needs assistance – please give assistance / attract attention, until a safety crew take over. Report any delay to the finish Marshall and we will adjust your time / result accordingly.
  • If you exit the race early, you must return to the finish and hand in your race bib and Tracker, ensure you have been recorded off the course.
  • If possible, inform a safety boat or the Race Control Boat you are retiring from the race.
  • If there is there is to be a Mass Evacuation of the course – The safety boats and Race Control boat will sound continuous air horns – If possible, leave the course via the control buoy and return to the finish, unless instructed otherwise.

 

Depending on the weather kite and windsurfer may be present but will be held upwind of the course by the IRBs for the period of the race.

It is recognised that conditions will vary from this as the beach and sea are open environments that are continuously changing.

Mobile phone communications should not be assumed but it has generally good coverage in the area.

NB All IRB’s will carry spare Ski and OC Paddles [this is for equipment failure to aid self-rescue and not to allow the competitor to continue a race]. Competitors must return to shore if they experience equipment failure where safe to do so.

 

Safety Cover:

  • Coastguard and RNLI informed
  • IRBs with VHF.
  • Race Control Boat – on the course, marking the entry and course exit point with VHF and Mobile
  • Race Safety Officer and Race director on Beach with VHF and Mobile 
  • First aid and defib at EBRC & Lifeboat station
  • People first – recovering the craft will not be the priority for safety boats
  • Safety crew / Race Organisers have final decision on your continued participation
  • Follow the Safety and Race Organisers instructions.

STAY SAFE – ENJOY YOUR RACE

First Aid:

  • There are Event Medical Kits and De-fib act the Club House.
  • First aid will be based in the Sailing Clubhouse which oversees the beach and Event Control. 
  • CSC Members are trained SLSGB Lifeguards.
  • Tim GP will be responsible for Visitor/Spectator First Aid
  • The following hospitals include full medical facilities including Accident & Emergency departments (distance from the event):
  • Clacton and District Hospital, Tower Road, Clacton-On-Sea CO15 1LH, 01255 201717
  • Colchester Hospital (slightly farther but the next major facility), Turner Road, Colchester CO4 5JL 01206 747474.

Refunds: 

  • If you are unable to attend the event please contact the Race Director as soon as possible. Your entry fee will be refunded, less an admin fee, if you cancel more than 72hrs before race day.  
  • On the day of the event if you arrive at the race and decide conditions are not right for your level of competency and you choose not to start the race you need to inform Registration immediately. You will be refunded, less an admin charge. This is to ensure you make your own decision to race or not to race, depending on the conditions and your preparedness on the day - safety first.   
  • Equally the race organisers reserve the right to refuse you starting the race if conditions are deemed unsafe for you.  You will be refunded, less an admin charge. 
  • There's always another race. 

 

Prizes and Results:

For a prize to be awarded in each class there must be

  • 1st  - 3+ competitors on the start line for that class
  • 2nd – 5+ in the class
  • 3rd – 10+ in the class

For classes with less than 3 competitors will default into the next class.

Results will be available live on Geotracks and published here and social media. 

Contact: 

Doug Herbert 07713 983421      Jim Taylor-Ross 07813845890   

Annabel Taylor-Ross 07768630388

Click here to enter

Governance:  

This is the inaugural event, the event will be conducted for the first time under Paddle UK and the ORUK Committee rules and regulations.

This Event is based on existing official guidance and good working practice guidelines and details the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the management and operations of the event.

The Event follows the specific Paddle UK guidance for Ocean Racing as published on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing Website page.

·       https://paddleuk.org.uk/ocean-racing/

·       https://paddleuk.org.uk/shared-files/40011/Event-Safety-for-Ocean-Race-Organisers.pdf

·       https://paddleuk.org.uk/shared-files/40009/Ocean-Race-Course-Grading.pdf

·       This event is run in accordance and were feasible with generic Paddle UK policies and procedures

·       Paddle UK Policies: https://paddleuk.org.uk/our-policies-and-procedures/

·       Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: https://paddleuk.org.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

·       Anti-Doping: https://paddleuk.org.uk/anti-doping-paddle-clean/

·       Safeguarding: https://paddleuk.org.uk/safeguarding-policies/

·       Safety: https://paddleuk.org.uk/category/safeguarding/

·       Environment & Sustainability: https://paddleuk.org.uk/environment-and-sustainability/

Future Events 

Ocean Racing events see here https://oceansurfski.co.uk/blogs/ocean-racing/event-calendar