Crantock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Crantock. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. This is a sheltered river mouth, and it needs everything to line up just right.

We’re starting off with a bit of a grim few days. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are a write-off – messy onshore wind and a lumpy 7ft to 3ft swell that’s just not doing anything clean. You’re better off staying in bed.

The first real flicker of hope comes on Saturday morning, the 22nd. We’ve got a tiny 2ft swell rolling in from the west, but the wind swings light and cross-off, and the energy is weak (129). It’s clean, but it’s small. Not a standout, just a chance to get wet if you’re desperate.

After that, we hit a real dead zone. From Sunday the 23rd right through to Wednesday the 27th, the swell is tiny – we’re talking 0.7ft to 1ft – with long periods that just don’t suit this place. Even when the wind is offshore and clean, like on Tuesday the 25th, there’s virtually no wave energy (18 to 40) to push anything through. It’s a proper flat spell.

Thursday the 27th morning shows a little more life – a 4ft west swell with a 10-second period, and cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (251) and the conditions are clean. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Not a day to get excited about.

Then Friday the 28th gets ugly again. Strong onshore wind and a rising 5ft to 6ft swell that’s all chunky and cross-onshore. That’s more of a kite-surfing mess than a paddle session.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th stays poor. Onshore wind and a messy 7ft to 7ft swell. Not for us.

Now, here’s the one that catches the eye – Monday the 31st of August. A big 10ft west swell with an 11-second period rolls in, pumping serious energy (2446). The problem is the wind: fresh cross-shore and lumpy. This is a big, powerful wave for a river break, and with that wind, it’s going to be a beast. This is only for experts, and even then, it’s messy. The swell direction is west, which is the optimum, but the conditions just aren’t locking in.

After that, Tuesday the 1st of September and Wednesday the 2nd drop back to 6ft and 4ft, but with onshore wind, it’s all poor. The tail end of the forecast on Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th is just small and windy again.

Honestly, across this whole 16-day window, there’s no true standout. The 2ft on Saturday the 22nd is the cleanest, but it’s tiny. The big swell on the 31st has power but is compromised by the wind. If you’re a beginner, the 3ft on Wednesday the 26th morning is the safest bet, but it’s still not great. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

It’s a lean run, but that’s Crantock for you. It tends not to stay poor for long, and forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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