Eastbourne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let's have a look at what we've got for the Eastbourne area. I've been through the charts, and to be honest, it's not looking like a classic summer run. The water's sitting at 70°F, which is a full 7°F warmer than average for this time of year – that's a proper anomaly, makes it feel like you're in the tropics, not on the south coast. We're looking at a 16-day window, and there are some real gaps of flatness in there, especially after the first week, so don't lock in any plans too far out.

Right now, for the Saturday morning of the 22nd of August, we've got the smallest whisper of a wave at Eastbourne. We're talking 0.7ft from the WSW with a short 6-second period. The energy is next to nothing (4), and although it's clean with that NNE cross-off breeze, it's an inconsistent beginner spot and it's really just a paddle-around. Not worth getting wet for. The whole of that first week is pretty grim – small, short-period slop and mostly onshore or cross-shore wind. The 24th sees a bit of a bump in size to 3ft, but the period is a shocking 4 seconds and it's lumpy as hell with an easterly breeze. The 28th of August Friday afternoon brings a bit more height at 6ft from the SW, and the energy finally jumps to a moderate 178, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore and the report says it's lumpy. Not the kind of quality you want to drive for.

The first real standout, and the best I can see in this whole outlook, is the 29th of August, Saturday morning. The swell is a clean 5ft from a WSW direction, with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy is a solid 198 (moderate). The wind is a cross-off breeze from the WNW, which should keep the surface clean. For a spot that's sheltered and takes a SSW swell, getting this direction with clean wind is a win. Eastbourne holds that shape reasonably well. Keep in mind it's an inconsistent break, and crowds are only sometimes an issue, so you might get a few out. This is your best chance for anything resembling a proper session in the first week.

Then we hit a big lull. After the 29th, the surf drops right off the cliff. The 30th and 31st of August have some size but the wind is foul, and from the 1st of September onward there are days with zero wave energy (0). It goes flat for the best part of three or four days.

There's a faint pulse on the 5th of September, Saturday morning, with 3ft from the WSW and a moderate 46 energy. The conditions are clean with a cross-off wind. It's not a stand-out, but it's something. The 6th of September Sunday morning has a long-period 10-second groundswell at a tiny 0.7ft, but the energy is weak. That long period would be great if there was any size, but 0.7ft is barely a ripple.

So, to sum it up: if you're chomping at the bit, the 29th of August Saturday morning is your window. A decent 5ft swell, clean conditions, and reasonable energy for a sheltered spot. Otherwise, this stretch is mostly about waiting and watching for a better set of charts.

Rusty.

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