Crooklets-Bude Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch for Crooklets-Bude. The forecast is pretty grim for the first week, and it doesn’t really get going until the very end of the month. There’s a long gap of weak, messy surf before we finally see a proper pulse of energy.

The water is sitting at 66°F with a 4°F anomaly – that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a bit of a treat if you’re getting in.

We start with a lumpy, cross-onshore mess on Thursday 20th August. The swell is there at 5ft from the west, but with a 19 mph wind from the WNW, it’s just a choppy, poor-quality wave. The combined energy is moderate at 445, but it’s not worth paddling out for. That same pattern carries through Friday and into the weekend, with swell dropping off fast. By Saturday 22nd, we’ve got a tiny 2ft west swell and light offshore wind from the east making it clean, but the energy is a weak 69 – barely a ripple. The conditions are clean, but there’s just no power.

Sunday through to Wednesday of the following week are almost flat. The swell is a pathetic 0.7ft to 2ft, and while the wind is clean and offshore at times, the combined energy is sitting between 11 and 70 – that’s just not enough to get a decent ride. It’s a real blank run.

Then, on Thursday 27th August, we get a slight uptick. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the west, with a 9-second period, and the energy hits 126. But the wind is cross-onshore from the SW, making it choppy again. It’s still a no-go.

Things start to look more interesting on Saturday 29th August. We’ve got a 7ft west swell pushing through with a short period, but the wind is cross-shore and the energy is strong at 427. However, the wind really picks up on the Saturday afternoon, and the swell jumps to 10ft – that’s a big, powerful wave with an energy of 1522. But it’s onshore, and it’s only for experts. The Sunday 30th August sees a similar 10ft west swell, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s lumpy and messy. The energy is a massive 1416, but the quality just isn’t there.

The standout in this whole period is actually the Saturday morning of the 29th August. The swell is a solid 7ft from the west, and while the period is short at 7 seconds, the wind is cross-shore, which keeps it a bit more organised than the onshore slop. It’s going to be a big, powerful beach break, which means it’s only for the experienced crew. Crowds are likely at Crooklets, so expect a few heads out. The combined energy of 427 is strong, and there’s real power in the water. If you’re a confident surfer, that’s your window.

Beyond that, there’s a bit of a messy end to the first week of September. The forecast for the 4th September shows a 6ft west swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the NNE, and the energy is 503. That’s a promising-looking setup, but it’s a long way out, so treat it as a hopeful call rather than a sure thing.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The only real chance of a solid wave is the Saturday 29th of August, and even then it’s for the brave and the experienced. Keep an eye on the 4th of September, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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