Bristol Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next 16 days. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a tough run for us here at Bristol. We’ve got a solid 16-day window in front of us, but honestly, the surf is going to be pretty poor throughout. The main issue is that persistent cross-onshore wind from the north and north-northeast. It’s going to be choppy and lumpy, and the swell is coming from a direction that just doesn’t light this place up. The optimum direction for Bristol is a north-northwest swell, but we’re getting a north-northeast or north wind with the swell. That combination is a recipe for messy, blown-out surf.

We start on Friday, the 17th of July, with a weak 3 ft north swell at a short period of 5 seconds, and that cross-on breeze making it choppy. The energy is a paltry 70 (weak). Saturday, the 18th, is more of the same with 3 ft north swell. Sunday the 19th sees the swell nudge up to 4 ft, and the combined energy climbs to 142 (moderate), but that fresh 19 mph cross-on wind just tears it apart. The wind is relentless, staying in that 16 to 22 mph range day after day, all from the north or north-northeast. It’s the same story all the way through the week.

By the 26th of July, Sunday, the swell picks up to 5 ft and the energy jumps to 517 (strong), but still, that cross-on wind is there, ruining any chance of a clean face. Even when the swell gets bigger, like on the 27th of July with a 6 ft north-east swell and a period of 9 seconds, the energy hits 954 (strong), but again, the wind is a problem. The 29th of July has a 7 ft north swell at 10 seconds, with energy at 744 (strong), but it’s still on the cross-on side. That’s getting into the size where it’s only for the experienced guys, but with the wind, it’s just a washing machine. Even the last few days, like the 30th and 31st of July and into the 1st of August, the wind finally eases up a bit, but the swell is dropping back down to 3 ft to 4 ft, and the energy is falling away again.

Look, the water temperature is about average for the time of year, but that’s cold comfort when the surf is this poor. There are no standout days here. The whole 16-day period is a write-off for quality surf. The wind is just too strong and from the wrong direction. The only real highlight is that the swell energy does get up there in the second week, but it’s wasted. If you’re a kitesurfer, this setup with the strong cross-onshore wind and decent swell might be right up your alley, but for us paddle surfers, it’s a hard pass. We’re going to have to wait for a change in the weather pattern.

Rusty.

Read more