Kennack Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Kennack Sands. I’ll be straight with you – this is a flat spell and a long one. Most of the next 16 days look like a write-off for any real surfing. There’s a glimmer of something later, but you’ll need patience.

First up, the pattern: We’re looking at a whole lot of nothing for the first week. The wave energy is basically non-existent, with combined energy readings sitting at just 3 for the first few days – that’s weak, barely a ripple. The swell is tiny, mostly 0.3 ft from the south, with a long period around 12-13 seconds, but there’s just no size to work with. Winds are messy, mostly cross-off or cross-onshore, and often fresh. Not ideal.

Moving through the period: Thursday 30th through to Sunday 3rd August is a total dud. Swell heights are either flat or 0.3 ft, and the energy is pitiful. Monday 3rd afternoon sees a tiny bump of 2 ft from the east, but with a period of only 4 seconds, it’s weak and wind-affected. That’s not worth paddling out for. Tuesday 4th is similar – 2 ft to 2 ft east swell, 6-second period, energy creeping up to 27, but still “poor surf conditions”. Wednesday 5th goes glassy in the morning, but the swell is flat again.

The first real possibility: Thursday 6th August morning sees 4 ft from the east, period 5 seconds, energy at 52. Winds are cross-off and light, so it’s clean. But the wave quality is still “very ordinary”. By the afternoon, energy climbs to 86, and the swell holds at 4 ft. This is the first time you could get wet, but don’t expect much. It’s a sheltered spot, so it needs a lot more to light up.

The standouts – and there’s only one worth mentioning: Friday 7th August brings 5 ft from the east, 6-second period, and energy of 144 (moderate). But the wind is cross-shore and fresh, with a cross-chop, making it messy. Not a standout. Saturday 8th August morning shows 6 ft from the east, 8-second period, and energy of 578 (strong!). That’s the biggest swell of the whole run. But the wind is howling from the ENE at 40 km/h, cross-shore with a nasty cross-chop. The break is a beach, and with that wind and size, it’s going to be a washing machine. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The afternoon drops to 4 ft and 143 energy, still windy and messy.

The rest: From Sunday 9th August onwards, it’s back to tiny, weak, and wind-affected, with easterly winds making it choppy or cross-on. There’s a gap of about 4-5 days of no real surf after that Saturday, with only tiny 0.3 ft to 1 ft leftovers.

The best call: If you’re desperate, Thursday 6th August afternoon is the closest to a session. Clean, 4 ft east swell, light offshore wind, and 86 energy. It’s not going to be pumping, but it’s the most surfable window. The bigger swell on Saturday 8th is too wind-ravaged to be any good for a paddle board.

Crowds: Kennack Sands is listed as “sometimes” crowded, so on that Thursday afternoon, you might share it with a few others, but with conditions that ordinary, I doubt it’ll be packed.

Water temp: No specific temp given, but the anomaly is neutral, so expect it to be about average for this time of year.

This is a frustrating run for Kennack Sands. It’s a sheltered spot that needs a decent swell from the right direction (SSW), and we’re just not getting it. The east swells don’t suit it. The long gap of flatness is pretty normal for this area in summer, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but for now, I’d keep the board in the car.

Rusty.

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