Hossegor - La Centrale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, it's Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the table for our local stretch of coast.

Right now, it's a tough start. We're looking at a pretty grim run of tiny, weak waves with poor conditions for the first week or so. The water is a balmy 76°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that's a real standout, like having a warm bath, but the surf just isn't matching it.

The first day with anything remotely surfable is Thursday the 6th of August. Early morning we've got a small 3ft NW swell showing up, but it's weak and short-period at 8 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE, which keeps it clean, but the combined energy is only moderate (121). It's surfable, but honestly, it's very ordinary. That afternoon the wind swings NNW and picks up, making a mess of it.

Then we hit a huge gap. From Friday the 7th right through to Saturday the 15th of August, there's almost nothing worth paddling out for. The swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, periods are short, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore. There are a few glassy mornings – like Sunday the 9th, Monday the 10th, and Tuesday the 11th – but the swell is just too small and weak to do anything with. The combined energy stays below 100 for most of that stretch, which is dead. It's a proper dry spell.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 16th of August. The morning sees a 2ft WNW swell with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE. The combined energy is weak (54), but it's clean. Still, we're talking about tiny waves.

Things finally start to build around Monday the 17th of August. The morning is glassy with a 2ft WNW swell, but the real kicker comes that afternoon. The swell jumps to 4ft from the NW, with a combined energy that jumps to moderate (191). The wind is cross-onshore, so it won't be perfect, but the size is finally there.

The best on offer across the whole outlook is actually Thursday the 20th of August. The morning session at Hossegor - La Centrale is the standout. We've got a clean 2ft NW swell, but the period is a very long 12 seconds – that's proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light offshore from the E, keeping it glassy. The combined energy is moderate (121). This is a long-period swell, so it'll be lining up nicely on the point. It's an expert wave, so it's not for the faint-hearted, and it can get crowded, but for the experienced surfer, this is the morning to circle. The afternoon sees the swell build to 4ft with a longer period of 11 seconds, but the cross-shore wind will put a bit of chop on it.

Friday the 21st of August is also a solid follow-up. Another morning with offshore E wind and a 4ft NW swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (190). Clean and fun.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The action starts from the 17th, but the absolute highlight is the morning of Thursday the 20th of August. That's your window for a proper long-period groundswell with offshore winds at La Centrale. Get in before the crowd.

Rusty.

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