It’s a half-way house isn’t it? You’re determined to get in the water, but you’re not quite brave enough to go the Full Monty (albeit with at least some clothes on… trunks, swimsuit are good).
So you take off your socks and shoes (please not socks and sandals), roll up your trouser legs and inch gingerly to the lapping water, bracing yourself for the icy shock of the North Sea. Try not to emit a blood-curdling ‘AAAAAGH!’ when the moment arrives.
Norfolk has many, many brilliant beaches along its 90 mile coast and they have varying degrees of gradient, so we’re getting scientific about this and applying three levels of paddling… ankle paddle, calf paddle, knee paddle.
Norfolk’s east coast beaches
• Gorleston and Great Yarmouth beaches – knee paddle
• Caister, California and Scratby – ankle paddle
• Winterton-on-Sea – knee paddle
• Horsey and Waxham – calf paddle
• Sea Palling and Eccles – ankle paddle
• Happisburgh – calf paddle
• Bacton and Mundesley– ankle paddle
• Overstrand and Cromer – ankle paddle
Norfolk’s north coast beaches
• West Runton and Sheringham – ankle paddle
• Weybourne – knee paddle (and shingle beach too)
• Wells and Holkham – ankle paddle (Holkham is also good, mid-tide, for shallow pools for paddle in)
• Burnham Overy Staithe – calf paddle
• Brancaster – ankle paddle
• Holme and Hunstanton – ankle paddle
Of course, our science might be tested by changing tides, but this is a pretty good guide. Enjoy your paddling!
PS A knotted hankie plonked on head is optional. Baseball cap maybe better… just not worn backwards. You’re not American. Unless you are, in which case it’s fine.
