Lahinch Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. To be honest, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’ve got a lot of wind and some solid lumps of swell, but the conditions are just not playing ball for a decent paddle session for most of the period.

The main break on offer is Lahinch Strand – a point break that’s exposed to the west. The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a little bonus.

The forecast kicks off with a bit of energy straight away. Saturday the 5th has a 6ft west swell rolling in with a 10-second period, and combined energy of 640 (moderate wave energy). But the wind is a problem – it’s onshore from the southwest at 9 mph, and the report is calling it poor. That sets the tone for the next few days. Sunday the 6th gets messy with a fresh 19 mph south wind, and by Monday the 7th we’ve got a 8ft west-southwest swell with a 13-second period – that’s some proper groundswell energy (combined energy 2329). But with a 22 mph onshore wind, it’s a washing machine. No good for a paddle.

Tuesday the 8th is interesting, but not in a good way for most of us. The swell is 8ft, west direction, 10-second period, and combined energy is strong at 1308. The wind is cross-shore from the west-northwest at 19 mph. The notes say the wind and tide are favourable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At over 8ft, that’s expert-only territory, and with that much cross-shore wind, it’s going to be a lumpy mess. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We then hit a long, dry gap. From Wednesday the 9th right through to Saturday the 19th, it’s a real struggle. There’s some swell around, but the wind is either onshore, cross-onshore, or just too strong, and the scores are all poor. There’s a moment on Thursday the 10th with a 5ft west-southwest swell and 8-second period (combined energy 306), but it’s marginal at best and the wind is cross. Not worth the drive.

The only bright spot – and I mean the *only* one – comes right at the tail end. On Saturday the 19th of September, we finally get a window. The morning shows a small 2ft west swell with a 9-second period and combined energy of 128 (weak energy). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the east-southeast at 6 mph, and the report calls it “clean”. The afternoon gets even better: 3ft west swell, 10-second period, combined energy 144, and the wind drops to a slight air from the east at 3 mph, cross-offshore, clean. That’s about as good as it gets in this forecast. It’s small, but it’ll be clean and lined up on the point. The crowds at Lahinch are often there, so expect company, but for a small clean wave, it’s worth it.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off thanks to wind and size. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from the 9th right through to the 19th. Your one standout is Saturday the 19th of September – small, clean, and rideable. It’s a long way off, so don’t get too attached, but it’s the best we’ve got.

Rusty.

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