Gorleston on Sea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer.

Honestly, this is one of those stretches where the ocean’s just not playing ball. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but honestly, it’s a long, flat, frustrating wait. The first proper surf recommendation doesn’t show up until Friday the 21st of August, and even then, it’s a struggle. Before that, from now (Tuesday the 18th) all the way through Thursday the 20th, it’s tiny – barely a ripple with swell heights around 0.3 ft to 1.0 ft. The water, by the way, is sitting at 68°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, a real anomaly.

So, the first glimmer of anything rideable comes Friday morning the 21st at Gorleston on Sea. We’re looking at a 3 ft swell from the north, with a short, weak period of 5 seconds. The combined energy is weak (51). The wind is a moderate cross-shore, which chops things up. It’s not good, but it’s the first pulse of size we see. The afternoon is similar, 4 ft from the north, still short period (5 seconds), and still cross-shore wind. The conditions are described as poor.

Saturday the 22nd of August is the best of a bad bunch, and I’d say it’s the standout, but only just. The morning shows a 3 ft swell from the north-northeast, a slightly better period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a moderate 112. It’s still a cross-shore wind, but the water will be clean and clear. The afternoon drops off with a 3 ft swell but a terrible 4-second period and low energy (39). Even the morning, while the pick of the week, isn’t going to thrill you.

The rest of the run is a write-off. From Sunday the 23rd right through to Tuesday the 1st of September, we’re stuck with tiny waves, strong winds, and messy conditions. Swell heights bounce between 1.0 ft and 4 ft but with poor wind (cross-shore, cross-on, fresh breezes), making everything look like a washing machine. For a spot that’s fairly exposed to the north, we just aren’t getting the right push.

Right at the very end, on Wednesday the 2nd of September, there’s a little tease: a 2 ft to 2 ft swell from the north, with a much longer period of 9 seconds, and moderate offshore winds from the west. The combined energy is still weak (38-57), but those offshores would make it clean and glassy. It’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but don't hold your breath.

No standouts worth paddling for in this 16-day outlook. It’s just a flat spell for Gorleston.

Rusty.

Read more