Guidel Plages Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let's have a look at what's on the table for Guidel Plages. This is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the swell, and it's usually a very consistent spot. The water's sitting at about 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – not a bad thing for those early morning sessions.

Honestly, mate, looking through the next couple of weeks, it's a grim picture. There's a real dry spell on the cards. For the first week and a half, from Sunday the 16th right through to Thursday the 27th of August, it's just one poor report after another. The wave energy is mostly weak, with combined swell energy figures barely climbing out of double digits – think 40, 19, 10, just tiny little numbers. The swell heights are tiny, generally below 3ft, and when there is a bit of bump, the wind is either cross-on or onshore, making a mess of things. The morning of the 19th shows a little glimmer with a light cross-off breeze and clean conditions (33), but the swell's only 2ft – not really worth getting wet for. This kind of blank run is unusual for a spot this consistent, but it happens. It tends not to stay this poor for long, so don't give up hope.

Now, after that long stretch of nothing, Friday the 28th of August morning finally throws us a bone. We've got a glassy surface – "Slight air" as the data says – and a 3ft swell from the west with a 10-second period. The combined energy jumps to 131, which is moderate energy. The wind is a perfect glass, so it'll be clean. This is easily the only standout in the whole 16-day window, and it's the only time I'd bother paddling out. But even then, the wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," so expectations need to be kept in check.

After that, it's back to more of the same. Saturday the 29th is on the small side with gentle cross-onshore breezes, and Sunday the 30th is again messy with fresh onshore wind. The last day, Monday the 31st of August, sees a 3ft swell with a longer period of 11 seconds, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore, spoiling it.

To sum it up: if you want the best chance of a paddle, you're waiting until the morning of Friday the 28th. It's glassy and clean, but don't expect anything epic. For the rest of the time, the kite surfers might have more fun in the lumpy onshore stuff.

Rusty.

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