La Tranche sur Mer Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

The first real chance to get wet isn’t until Monday the 31st of August, but even then, it’s a tricky one. La Tranche sur Mer sees a 5ft swell from the west with a 10-second period, but the wind is a cross-offshore breeze, and the water is a touch warmer than normal at 71°, about 2° above average. The combined energy is solid at 499 (moderate), but the wave comment tells us it’s poor surf. The afternoon is a different story though – the wind drops to 12 mph, still cross-off, but the swell is 5ft, and the forecast says wind and tide are favorable. The problem is, the swell is predicted to be too big for this beginner-friendly spot. It’s a beach and jetty setup, so only the most experienced should paddle out Monday afternoon if they’re confident.

From Tuesday the 1st through to Friday the 4th, it’s a brutal run of small, weak, and mostly messy surf. We’re looking at waves under 3ft, with periods around 8-10 seconds, and combined energy dropping as low as 33 (weak). The wind is cross-off or cross-on a lot of the time, and the scores are all zeros. Just a few tiny, ordinary waves on Wednesday the 2nd morning with a gentle offshore, but it’s only 2ft – not worth a paddle.

Saturday the 5th of September looks like the standout of the first week. The morning brings a long-period groundswell at 14 seconds, with a 2ft wave from the west, but listen, that long period means it’s packing more energy than you’d think – combined energy is 243 (moderate). The wind is a gentle cross-off, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” The afternoon is similar, with a 3ft west swell and a gentle offshore wind. For a beach/jetty setup, that long period might make it a bit walled and straight, but with these clean conditions, it’s the best bet. Crowds are possible at this spot, so get in early.

Then there’s a gap of poor surf from Sunday the 6th all the way through to Monday the 7th morning. The swell drops to 2ft and 0.7ft, with cross-shore or cross-on winds. Nothing doing.

The next real window is Monday the 7th of September afternoon. The swell picks up to 3ft from the west-southwest, with a very long period of 15 seconds! Combined energy jumps to 443 (moderate). The wind is a gentle offshore, and again, it’s “expect good surf conditions.” This is a serious groundswell. At a spot like this, that long period will produce clean, peeling lines, but it might be a bit straight for the beach break. Still, with the wind offshore, this is the best-looking session of the whole outlook.

Tuesday the 8th afternoon is also worth a look, with a 3ft west-southwest swell (11 seconds), a gentle cross-off wind, and a decent score. The energy is 202 (moderate).

Wednesday the 9th morning has a 4ft west swell, but the wind is cross-off, and again, the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Too big for the beginners, that is.

After the 9th, it’s a long, dry spell. From Thursday the 10th right through to the end of the forecast on the 15th of September, the waves are tiny – mostly under 2ft, with periods as low as 3 seconds and combined energy dropping to just 5 (weak). Onshore winds dominate. There’s a faint, glassy moment on the 13th afternoon with a 2ft west swell, but it’s just ordinary.

The absolute best on offer is Monday the 7th of September afternoon, with the 3ft groundswell and gentle offshore. The second best is Saturday the 5th of September. The rest of the period is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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