It is estimated over 1000 people enjoyed a summer sunshine paddle yesterday evening (Thursday) as low tide revealed a golden carpet of sand to St Helen’s Fort, as locals and tourists alike participated in an unorganised, annual walk.
Known as the Bembridge Fort Walk, hundreds upon hundreds of people each and every August take advantage of the extremely low tide to be able to reach and touch the nearest Palmerston Fort in The Solent, built in the late 1800’s.
The gorgeous evening sunshine, warm temperatures and the Chinese-whispers approach to publicising the event, all came together for one of the most well-attended walks in recent years.
Crowds gathered at the sea’s edge from Bembridge, while others made their way from The Duver in St Helens to make the approximate 1-mile trek out, with the majority setting out earlier than the official low tide of 18:25, wading through knee-high waves.
The first walkers touched the fort at 17:30.
As the event is unorganized and is based entirely on the tide, some are considering making the great step forward later on today (Friday), however HM Coastguard are advising those people to think again.
A later low tide will result in walkers coming back at twilight and the tide will not be at it’s lowest, compared to yesterday, increasing the risks involved.
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue and Ryde Inshore Lifeboat were present yesterday, however were thankfully not needed following another successful Bembridge Fort Walk.
