Irmas/Leftpoint Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty grim stretch for Irmas/Leftpoint. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a write-off, with barely a session that’s worth getting excited about. There’s no real standout period, just a lot of wind-affected, messy conditions.

The water temperature is sitting at 27°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re getting frustrated.

We start off on Thursday, 23rd July, but it’s a total non-starter. A strong, cross-onshore breeze of 25 mph is ruining everything, with a 2 ft swell from the SSW. The wave energy is weak (998). It’s a mess, don’t bother.

The whole of the first week is dominated by a strong cross-shore wind, mostly from the ENE, blowing at 19 to 25 mph. The swell is there, but it’s junk. On Friday, 24th July, there’s 8 ft of short-period, wind-affected swell (1154), but it’s a complete chop-fest. Saturday, 25th July, is a little better in the morning with 7 ft of swell (1129) and a fresh breeze, but it’s still cross-shore and lumpy. The afternoon cleans up a bit with a 3 ft, 18-second period groundswell, but it’s still a fresh cross-shore breeze.

The only window that looks even remotely interesting is around Tuesday, 28th July. The morning is still a bit lumpy, but by Tuesday afternoon the wind swings to a cross-offshore from the NE at 19 mph, and the wave comment says “clean”. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the ENE with a 12-second period. The energy is strong (1525). This is the best the whole forecast has to offer, but it’s still only a marginal call. At 7 ft, it’s getting a bit big for beginners, and the period is good enough for some punch. The crowds are a possibility here, as it says “sometimes” busy.

After that, it’s back to the same old story. The wind stays strong and cross-shore through the rest of July and into August. For the first week of August, the swell hangs around between 3 ft and 7 ft, but it’s always accompanied by a fresh to strong cross-shore breeze, making it lumpy and messy. There’s a brief moment on the morning of 5th August with 7 ft of longer-period swell (12 seconds) and strong energy (1366), but the cross-shore wind kills it.

To be honest, there’s nothing here that you’d set your alarm for. The wind is the enemy this whole time. If you’re desperate, Tuesday afternoon, 28th July, is your best chance for a clean-ish wave, but even then, it’s not a classic. For the rest of the time, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the strong, consistent cross-shore winds.

Rusty.

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