Lahinch Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’ll level with ya – if you’re looking for anything to get excited about over the next week and a half, you’ve come to the wrong place for now. We’ve got a long flat spell ahead before anything worthwhile shows up. Let’s get into it.

From now, through the end of August and into the first day of September, it’s a whole lot of nothing special. There’s tiny, weak swell around, mostly under 3 feet, with periods all over the shop but mostly short and weak. The combined energy of all swells directed here barely cracks three figures on the best days, and most of the time it’s sitting below 100 (weak energy). Winds are light and often cross-off, so conditions are clean, but there just isn’t any push. The water temp is sitting at 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’s comfortable for a paddle, but you’ll be bobbing around more than surfing.

The first real sign of life comes on the morning of Monday the 2nd of September. That’s when we see a proper jump. The swell comes up to 8 ft from the WSW with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to 772 (moderate to strong wave energy). The wind is light offshore from the NE, so the surface should be clean. But – and it’s a big but – that’s pushing into too-big territory for a beginner-friendly spot like Lahinch Strand (point). It’s an exposed break, fairly consistent, and the optimum swell direction is from the W, so the direction is close. Still, 8 ft here is going to be a handful for anyone who isn’t solid on a board.

The standout window, the one worth marking on the calendar, is the morning of Wednesday the 3rd of September. The swell holds around 6 ft from the W with a 10-second period, giving a combined energy of 673 (moderate to strong wave energy). The wind is light offshore from the ESE, so it’ll be clean. The size is still big, but it’s a bit more manageable than the day before, and with that longer period and offshore wind, the shape should be much better. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook. The crowd factor is worth noting – Lahinch can get busy, and with “often” for crowds, expect company in the water, especially on a clean morning.

Thursday the 4th of September sees another pulse of solid swell, 8 ft from the W with a very long 12-second period, and combined energy of 1599 (strong wave energy). That’s a groundswell with serious power, but at this size and period at a point break, it could be an expert-only affair. The wind is light cross-shore in the morning, so it might be worth a look if you’ve got the skills, but it’s not the standout. By Friday the 5th, the wind goes to strong breeze and the rain moves in, so it’s game over.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. You’re looking at a gap of about 10 days with nothing worth recommending. Then Monday the 2nd of September is a big, raw day for experienced surfers only, and Wednesday the 3rd of September is the real highlight – solid, clean, and with proper shape, just expect a crowd.

Stay patient, lads. It’ll come good.

Rusty

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