Etretat Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Etretat over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, the outlook is pretty grim. There’s a big gap of dead flat, blown-out, and generally hopeless conditions stretching from now all the way through to the middle of next week. Nothing’s doing. The first real chance of a paddle comes on Tuesday the 18th of August, but even then it’s not a classic.

The standout, and really the only flicker of light, is the morning of Tuesday the 18th of August. We’ve got a small but clean 3ft swell rolling in from the WNW, with a gentle offshore breeze from the SW. That’s a proper offshore wind for this reef, and it’ll be clean. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit on the weak side, and the combined energy is moderate (75). It’s rideable, but don’t expect bombs. The water temperature is a whopping 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

After that, the build-up on the 20th of August is worth a mention. The swell pushes to 5ft from the W, with a 7-second period, and combined energy hitting 220 (strong). The Thursday afternoon session has a cross-offshore wind, so it’s clean, but it’s still only a “marginal” call. That kind of size at Etretat’s reef can be a bit of a handful, and the short period means it’ll be a bit bumpy. Not a beginner’s wave at that size.

The rest of the period is a write-off. There’s a bit of a pulse on the 22nd of August, with 6ft and 233 energy, but it’s cross-shore and messy. No quality.

So, bottom line: don’t get your hopes up. The 18th morning is your best bet, but it’s not a day to call in sick for. You’ll be scratching for small, clean waves. After that, look towards the 20th for a bit more size, but expect a challenge.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the forecasts. It’s been a dull run, but it’ll turn.

Rusty.

Read more