Irmas/Leftpoint Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I’ve had a look at the charts for Irmas/Leftpoint, and it’s a bit of a tough stretch coming up. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of swell in the water, but the wind is really going to be the enemy here for most of the next sixteen days.

Irmas/Leftpoint is a reef setup, and we’re looking at a long run of strong east-northeast winds. For the first week, starting Thursday the 23rd through to the end of the month, we’re seeing a lot of cross and cross-on conditions with the wind pumping at 18 to 25 mph. That’s going to chop things up badly. The water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re getting blown off your board.

The first real sign of life comes on Tuesday the 28th. The morning sees a nice 8ft east-northeast swell with a 12-second period, and the wind swings around to a cross-offshore from the north-northeast at 18 mph. That’s the cleanest window we’ve got. The combined energy from all swells is pumping in at 1712, which is a lot of muscle. That afternoon holds up too, with a 6ft easterly swell and cross-off winds. The sets will be a bit more powerful and lined up, but those long period waves (12 seconds) can make the reef a bit more critical. It’s not a beginner wave that day, but for an intermediate, it’s the best on offer.

After that, the wind goes to hell again. We get a proper onshore blow from the south-southeast on the 29th, with a 10ft mid-period swell, but that’s just a stormy mess. The swell is too big for beginners and the wind is straight onshore, so it’s a write-off. The next few days are just more of the same – consistent east-northeast swell but with strong cross-shore winds.

We finally get another chance on Wednesday the 5th of August. The morning sees a 7ft east-northeast swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the northeast at 15 mph. It’s not perfect, but it’s a sight better than what we’ve been getting. The combined energy is strong at 1447, and the afternoon holds a similar 7ft swell from the northeast. The surf quality will be lumpy, but at least rideable. The north-east wind direction is right on the optimum for this break, so it’s a promising option, even if it’s a week and a half out.

Honestly, for the whole stretch, Tuesday the 28th is the standout. If you can get out that morning, you’ll have the best chance of a clean, powerful reef wave. The 5th of August is a solid backup, but it’s way off in the distance, so keep an eye on the forecasts. For the rest of the time, it’s a battle against the wind.

Rusty.

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