Irmas/Leftpoint Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Irmas/Leftpoint. I gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. The forecast is a long stretch of poor surf conditions, so we’re in for a bit of a dry spell, but don't let it get you down too much.

Right off the bat, this Saturday morning (15th August) we’ve got a solid 13 ft swell from the east, but it’s getting absolutely hammered by a near gale cross-shore wind at 34 mph. The combined energy reading is a massive 3077 (strong to very strong wave energy), but with that wind, it’s nothing but a washing machine. That energy is just getting blown to bits. Forget about it for a paddle. The water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least a dip won’t be a shock.

The whole first week, right through to the 22nd, is a write-off. We’re looking at a mix of cross-shore and cross-onshore winds, mostly from the ENE, with speeds that are either fresh or moderate breezes. The swell hangs around the 3 ft to 8 ft mark, but it’s all sloppy, lumpy, and choppy. Not a single moment where the wind drops and cleans it up. The wind state is just a constant battle.

Around the 20th and 21st, we get a tease of some long-period SSW groundswell (17-18 seconds), but it’s tiny – only 2 ft to 4 ft. The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s not going to offer any quality. Combined energy drops to a weak 153 (gentle breeze conditions), so it’s basically a lake with a tiny bump.

The best chance, and I’m using that word loosely, comes right at the tail end of the forecast. On the 27th and 28th of August, we see a bigger easterly swell pushing up to 5 ft to 6 ft, with a very long period of 16-18 seconds. The combined energy jumps back into the thousands (2076 to 2468), indicating strong wave energy. This is proper groundswell, and on a reef setup like Irmas/Leftpoint, that long period could mean some nicely shaped, powerful lines. The caveat? The wind is still a fresh breeze from the ENE, but it’s cross-shore rather than onshore. That could make it semi-rideable, and the Thursday afternoon (27th) and Friday afternoon (28th) are rated as “marginal” rather than a total zero. This is the only standout in the whole two weeks, but it’s a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed it cleans up a bit. It’s going to be too big for beginners though, with the swell over 5 ft. For that same reason, by the 30th, the swell is up to 8 ft, which is only for the experts.

So, bottom line: you’ve got about a week and a half of pure junk. The only flicker of hope is that last weekend in August, with the 27th and 28th being the only days worth a second look. This spot is fairly consistent, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see such a blank run, but forecasts can change. Stay tuned.

Rusty.

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