La Barra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s lined up for the local stretch.

Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. The first week is pretty much a write-off. From Sunday the 6th right through to Saturday the 12th, it’s a constant battle with cross-onshore winds, choppy surfaces, and messy conditions. The swell is hanging around the 5 ft to 6 ft range, but it’s all short-period, wind-affected junk coming from the NNE and N. Wave energy is moderate to strong (291 to 590), but it doesn’t mean a thing when the wind is tearing it apart. There’s a brief window on Saturday morning where the wind turns onshore, but still poor. Don’t bother paddling out.

Finally, we get a glimpse of hope. Sunday the 13th morning is still marginal, with light cross-onshore breeze and a 5 ft NNE swell. But the afternoon? That’s where it gets interesting. The wind drops to glassy, the swell drops to a clean 4 ft, and the energy is moderate (218). This is the first real window. Then Monday the 14th is a standout. Both morning and afternoon are glassy with a long-period groundswell from the NNW at 3 ft to 3 ft and a period of 12 to 14 seconds. Wave energy is moderate (285 to 303). The water temp is sitting at 76°F, which is about 2°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s a touch on the warm side, but nothing crazy.

La Barra (Uruguay) is a beach and reef setup, very consistent and exposed. It’s best with a WNW swell, and this NNW groundswell isn’t a perfect match, but that long period will wrap in nicely. The glassy conditions mean it’ll be clean. Just be aware, it’s a beginner-friendly spot, but with long-period swells, it can get a bit walled-off at the beach. The reef might offer some better lines. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

The pick of the entire forecast is Monday the 14th. Glassy, long-period groundswell, clean conditions. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, it tails off. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th see the wind turn cross-onshore again, and the swell gets weak and short-period. From Thursday the 17th all the way through to Monday the 21st, it’s a poor run of tiny, weak, and choppy conditions. Wave energy drops to double digits (45 to 173), with only a few breaths of life. The gap from the 14th to the 21st is a long, dry spell.

So, make the most of that Sunday the 13th afternoon and Monday the 14th. That’s your window. Everything else is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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