Ilbaritz - Edouard VII Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for our local waters.

We're looking at a pretty lean start for the surf. The first few days are honestly a write-off, with tiny, weak swells and poor conditions ruling the roost. Things won't really start to cook until the very end of the first week and into the second, but we've got a long wait for it.

Over at Ilbaritz - Edouard VII (France), it's a bleak picture for the first few days. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are flat and messy, with swell energy barely hitting 60 (weak). The water temp is sitting around average for this time of year, but there’s no point worrying about that when there’s nothing to ride. Thursday the 27th morning is a tease – glassy as, but the swell is tiny. By the afternoon, a little more push arrives, but it’s cross-on and choppy.

Friday the 28th kicks off with a solid 6ft swell from the WNW, but it’s onshore and raw. The combined energy hits 384 (moderate), but the wind just ruins it. The afternoon gets even bigger, 8ft, but with a howling onshore wind, it’s a complete mess. Not for us.

Now, Saturday the 29th is where we finally catch a break. The morning brings a clean, 5ft swell from the NW with a sweet offshore wind. The energy is a decent 323 (moderate). This is your best bet for a proper surf this week. It’s not pumping, but it’s clean and rideable. Be aware, crowds are often a thing here, so expect company.

Sunday the 30th morning is another glassy gem with similar 5ft NW swell. The energy is a touch lower at 288, but with those glassy conditions, it’ll be a super fun session.

The start of the new week looks sketchy again, with onshore winds and dropping swell. Tuesday the 1st of September brings a bigger 6ft swell, but it’s onshore and looks questionable.

The real standout, the one you need to mark in your calendar, is Sunday the 6th of September. The morning kicks off with a clean 6ft groundswell from the NW, period stretching to a long 11 seconds, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is a hefty 924 (strong). This is the pick of the whole forecast. The afternoon holds up just as well, with a light offshore wind. This is a reef break, remember, so that long-period swell will wrap in nicely. It’s going to be a cracking day.

The following Monday the 7th is a washout with strong winds, but Tuesday the 8th of September throws a wild card. We’ve got a massive 10ft swell with a very long 15-second period. The energy reading is through the roof at 4314 (very strong). But, it’s a rain shower day with onshore wind. This is a massive, powerful groundswell, only for experts. For most of us, it’ll be too big and unruly at this exposed reef.

Wednesday the 9th of September morning looks like a nice way to finish the run, with a clean 5ft NW groundswell and glassy conditions.

So, to sum it up: a sluggish start, but the last weekend of August and the first Sunday of September are your windows. The 6th of September is the true standout with big, clean, powerful groundswell. Get on it.

- Rusty

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