Gwithian Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the cards for our local stretch of coast.

Straight up, it’s a bit of a flat and frustrating start. The first week or so is looking pretty grim, with only small, weak leftover bumps. We've got a long stretch from the 10th right through to the middle of the window where there’s just nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, the period is short and the wind is mostly messy. It’s one of those periods where you’re better off checking the forecasts on the internet than checking the surf in person.

The first real sign of life doesn't show up until Sunday the 19th of July. We start to see some new energy building, with a 4ft swell from the north pushing in, combined energy at 152. It's still a bit lumpy with a cross-chop, but it's a step in the right direction. Monday the 20th keeps the north swell going around 4ft to 4ft, but again, it’s crossed-up and messy.

Things get a bit more interesting from Wednesday the 22nd. The swell builds to 6ft from the WNW with a combined energy of 365. It’s getting some size, but the wind is still cross or cross-on, making it a lumpy affair. This trend continues with a 7ft swell from the WSW on Thursday the 23rd of July, showing strong wave energy at 539. Still, it’s not clean.

Now, the real standout is on Friday the 24th of July. This is the one to circle in your diary. We’ve got a proper, solid groundswell building. The morning sees a 13ft swell from the west with a period of 11 seconds, the combined energy goes through the roof at 3544. The wind is offshore and fresh from the ESE, which will be cleaning things up nicely at Gwithian. But here’s the thing – this is big. Over 8ft, it’s expert territory only. Beginners should stay well away from the water. The afternoon gets even bigger, with a 15ft west swell and a 12-second period, energy hitting an enormous 5630. The wind eases to a cross-off from the SE. This is the best of the whole run, but only for the experienced crew who know what they’re doing.

After that peak, Saturday the 25th of July still has a big 10ft west swell in the morning (energy 2183), but the wind swings onshore from the W, making it messy. By the afternoon it's down to 8ft, but still onshore and lumpy. The magic is over.

So, to sum it up: don’t bother with the first week and a half. Nothing happening. The best, and really the only standout of the entire 16-day window, is Friday the 24th of July at Gwithian. It will be huge, powerful, and clean, but it’s for experts only. The conditions look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most of that week before, given the size and the onshore wind. Keep an eye on it, as forecasts can change, but for now, that’s the one to target.

Rusty.

Read more