Folkestone Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for our little stretch of coast.

Straight up, this is a bleak outlook. We’ve got a long, long run of flat, weak, or just plain messy conditions ahead. The first hint of anything rideable doesn’t show up until Wednesday the 16th, and even then it’s a bit of a mixed bag. For the most part, you’d be as well off leaving the boards in the car.

Folkestone is the only break on the cards for this entire 16-day window, and it’s a sheltered beach and reef setup. It’s inconsistent, and this forecast is a real test of patience. The water temps are a standout for the first day we look at it, sitting at 68°F on Wednesday the 9th, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.

From Wednesday the 9th right through to Tuesday the 15th, it’s all poor surf. Tiny little slivers of swell, mostly below 1ft, and a lot of cross-shore chop. The wind tries to go offshore on the 9th morning, but with only 0.7ft of swell, it’s a flat, clean ocean. Not worth paddling out for.

The first real pulse of energy finally arrives on Wednesday afternoon, September 16th. We see a 5ft swell from the southwest, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 128. The wind goes glassy, which is a huge plus. The problem is the period is only 5 seconds, so it’s a weak, short-period wind swell, not a proper groundswell. It’s surfable, but the conditions are described as very ordinary. If you’re desperate for a paddle and the tide is right, you might find a few crumbly little ones. This is the best on offer, but it’s not a standout.

After that brief window, it’s back to the doldrums. Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th see a bit of offshore wind, but with essentially no swell. From Saturday the 19th through to Thursday the 24th, we’re looking at squirts of swell under 1ft, lumpy cross-shore winds, and ultimately, no real surf. A couple of those days do have a very long period of 11 seconds, but the swell height is a pathetic 0.3ft, so it’s just a long-period ripple.

So, to be honest, there’s only one day that’s even worth a mention: the Wednesday afternoon the 16th. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only window where the swell gets over knee-high and the wind is clean. For the rest, it’s a 16-day stretch of flatness. The spot is inconsistent, so a blank run like this is more normal for the area. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d be looking for a new hobby for a while.

Rusty.

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