Barbate River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the Barbate River stretch over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting around 71°, which is about average for this time of year in these parts. But I've got to be straight with you – it's a bleak outlook. The forecast is a long, dry spell of tiny, weak surf. From now right through to the end of the month, every single report is calling it "poor surf conditions." There's no way around it.

The first week is a total write-off. We're looking at waves barely cracking 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft. The combined swell energy is pitiful, sitting at just 13 (weak energy) on the 13th and never really getting going. The wind is howling out of the east at 31 mph on Sunday the 13th, which is cross-off but way too strong for any kind of enjoyable paddle. The swell direction is WNW, which isn't a bad angle for this exposed spot, but the size just isn't there.

We do get a brief moment of calm on Tuesday the 15th afternoon with glassy conditions and a southerly breeze at only 3 mph. But don't get excited – the wave is still a pathetic 0.7 ft from the WNW. You could maybe catch a ripple on a longboard, but that's it.

By Wednesday the 16th, the swell bumps up slightly to 2 ft, coming from the west, with the combined energy hitting 41 to 66 (still weak). The problem? The wind swings onshore from the SW and W, making it choppy and messy. This isn't surf, it's just wind chop.

As we move into the second week, the pattern doesn't change. From the 18th through to the 28th, we're stuck in a rut. The swell height fluctuates between 0.3 ft and 1.0 ft. The combined energy barely reaches 48 (weak) on the 21st. The swell period does get long – up to 15 or 16 seconds – which means it's a groundswell. But when the height is that tiny, all that long period does is push in some long, slow lines that won't break with any punch. The wind stays cross-off from the east, so the surface will be clean, but there's nothing to ride.

There is one small uptick around the 21st of September (Monday), where the swell is 1.0 ft from the WNW with a period of 15 seconds. The energy is 48. It's clean, but it's still only 1.0 ft. Not worth paddling out for.

Honestly, if you're desperate for a session, the only window that even vaguely qualifies is Tuesday afternoon the 15th. That glassy moment with 0.7 ft WNW swell is as good as it gets, and that's saying nothing. For the rest of the 16-day window, leave the boards at home. This is a kite-surfing setup if the wind is up, but for paddle surfing? There's nothing to work with.

This stretch is inconsistent at the best of times, and right now it's showing its true colours. Forecasts can change, but right now, the outlook is as dry as a bone.

Rusty.

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