Hitherhills Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s happening at Hitherhills for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a bit of a lean run, so don’t go getting your hopes up too high.

Honestly, the first real week to week and a half is a tough watch. The swell is small and weak, rarely pushing past 3ft, and the wind is just about always in the wrong direction. For the first few days, from the 2nd of August through to the 6th, you’re looking at a mix of moderate to strong cross-shore and cross-onshore breezes, with the wave energy really struggling. The combined energy is mostly in the double digits, peaking at a messy 389 on the 3rd, but that’s paired with a strong cross-shore that’ll chop it all to bits. The 4th and 5th offer a tiny window of cleaner conditions, but the swell is barely a ripple. This is kite-surfing weather, not paddle-surfing weather.

The first real standout, and I’m using the term loosely, comes on the 5th of August (Wednesday morning). The sky clears and we get a light, cross-off wind from the WSW, which is a rare treat. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the south, with a short period of 7 seconds, so it’s weak and gutless. The combined energy is a measly 57, but it’s clean. For a beginner who just wants to get wet and catch a few whitewater bumpers, this is your only window. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

Then we hit another dry spell until the 8th of August (Saturday morning). A northwest wind goes offshore, and the swell is a clean 3ft from the south – still weak, but at least it’s glassy. The combined energy is only 73. This is a flat spell, but the offshore wind makes it surfable for a learner.

The 11th of August (Tuesday morning) offers a similar story: offshore wind from the NNW, clean conditions, but a 3ft south swell with a period of 6 seconds. The energy is a paltry 75. It’s poor, but it’s the best of a very bad bunch.

For the second week, the 16th of August (Sunday morning) shows a bit of life. A clean, cross-off wind from the NNE, and the swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW. The period is still short at 6 seconds, but the combined energy finally cracks into the triple digits at 116. It’s still not great, but it’s the best-looking wave in the whole 16-day window. The 17th of August (Monday morning) is similar, with a clean 3ft swell from the south.

So, the short version: there’s no proper surf here. The only windows are the 5th morning, 8th morning, and 11th morning for absolute beginners, and the 16th morning if you’re desperate. The crowds are only “sometimes” a problem, but with this quality, they won’t be a problem at all. Don’t blow a gasket over it. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long, flat stretch.

Rusty.

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