Guethary - Les Alcyons/Avalanche Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for Guethary.

Right now we’re looking at a bit of a wait. The first proper surf recommendation comes in on Monday August 31st, but honestly, it’s a messy start. Swell is there at 6 ft from the NW, period around 10 seconds, and the combined energy is solid (535), but the wind is cross-on from the West at 6 mph and conditions are marginal. Not worth paddling out for. That afternoon gets worse – cross-on from the NW, 6 ft swell, 754 energy, but the quality is junk. Skip it.

We get a small window Tuesday September 1st morning. Swell drops to 5 ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, energy at 400. The wind turns cross-off from the ENE at just 6 mph, so it’s clean. It’s a half-decent session for folks who know the reef at Guethary - Les Alcyons/Avalanche (France). This is an expert-only zone – it’s a reef break that offers proper shape, but there’s no room for mistakes. Water temp is sitting at 75°, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year – that’s a 4° anomaly, so you’ll be comfy without a thick suit.

Wednesday September 2nd morning is tiny – 3 ft from the NW, period only 8 seconds, energy down around 120. But the wind is glassy from the NNE at 3 mph. It’s clean, but only just surfable. Not a standout.

The next real highlight is Saturday September 5th morning. Swell comes back up to a clean 3 ft from the NW, 10-second period, 360 energy. Glassy conditions with zero wind from the ENE. That’s going to be a nice, clean little session for those who know the reef. The pick of the first week.

But the true standout of the whole outlook is Sunday September 6th morning. Swell pushes to 5 ft from the NW, period lengthens to a quality 12 seconds, energy at 736. Wind is cross-off from the ENE at only 3 mph – clean as a whistle. The water is still warm, conditions are lined up, and the longer period will give the reef some proper push. This is the best morning you’ll see in the window. For experts only, and expect crowds to be likely – this spot can get busy when it’s on.

After that, things drop away fast. The second week is mostly small and messy. There’s a brief chance on Tuesday September 8th morning with 2 ft from the WNW, 12-second period, 256 energy, and glassy wind from the East. Clean, but tiny. Worth a quick paddle if you’re keen, but nothing to write home about.

Everything else from September 9th onward is poor – onshore winds, small swell, low energy. There’s a long gap of flatness from the 11th through the 15th with barely any energy. A few moments of glassy wind on the 14th and 15th mornings, but swell is under 3 ft and period is short. Not worth suiting up.

Overall: Saturday September 5th morning is good, but Sunday September 6th morning is the one to circle. After that, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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