Guethary - Les Alcyons/Avalanche Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, checking in from the Basque coast. Let’s talk about the one spot that’s got our attention for the next couple of weeks: Guethary - Les Alcyons/Avalanche.

Right off the bat, the water here is sitting at 75°, which is a solid 5° warmer than average for this time of year. That’s a real treat, believe me. You won’t need the thickest rubber.

The first real action kicks off this Sunday, the 30th of August. We’re looking at a clean 5ft swell from the WNW, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is glassy, coming from the NNE at just 3 mph. It’s a reef break, so it’s for experts only, but the energy is solid at 412. It’s going to be a good morning. Get on it.

Sunday afternoon turns to crap, though. The wind swings NW and picks up to 9 mph, putting it onshore. The swell drops a touch to 5ft, and it’s messy. Just forget about it.

Monday the 31st is a write-off. Slightly bigger swell at 6ft to 6ft, but the wind is onshore and the conditions are marginal all day. Not worth paddling out.

Tuesday morning, the 1st of September, is a nice little window. The swell is back to 5ft from the NW, but the wind is a light cross-offshore from the ENE at 3 mph. The wave energy is moderate at 392, and the conditions are clean. A solid window for a few waves before the afternoon wind messes it up again.

The next few days are small and weak. Wednesday morning has a tiny 3ft swell with glassy conditions, but the energy is only 123—it’s pretty ordinary. Thursday and Friday are near flat, with swell dropping to 2ft to 3ft. Don’t bother.

Now, Saturday the 5th of September looks promising but comes with a catch. The swell jumps to 7ft from the NW, with a period of 13 seconds. That’s a lot of energy, registering 1339, but the wind is cross-shore from the NE at 9 mph. It’s going to be a bit choppy, and with that size, it’s expert territory only. The period is long, so it might be a bit walled up at the reef, but for the skilled crew, it’s worth a look.

Sunday the 6th is a better bet. The swell drops to 4ft, but the wind goes light cross-offshore from the E at 6 mph. The energy is moderate at 371, and the conditions are clean. A much more manageable day.

The following week is a mixed bag. Monday the 7th is tiny and glassy but ordinary. The real standout is looking like Wednesday the 9th of September. The swell is pumping at 10ft from the NW, with a period of 12 seconds. That’s a massive 2074 energy reading. But, the wind is cross-onshore from the WSW at 9 mph, making it choppy. This is a full-on, big-wave day for experts only. The wind is a real shame, but if the angle cleans up, it could be a beast.

Looking further out, Saturday the 12th of September has a solid 5ft groundswell from the NW, period of 11 seconds, with glassy conditions in the morning. Energy is 651. That’s a great morning session. The period is long, so it’ll be a bit thick and powerful, but it’s a reef break, so it should set up nicely.

The absolute best of the lot, though, is shaping up for Monday the 14th of September. The swell is a solid 8ft from the NW, period of 11 seconds, with a glassy wind from the E at 3 mph. The energy is pumping at 1171. The forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and I believe it. This is the one to circle on the calendar. That’s a proper, clean, powerful swell for the expert crew. Expect crowds to be possible, as the spot is often busy.

Overall, a two-week period with a few gems, but a lot of average days in between. Don’t waste your energy on the small stuff. Hit that Sunday morning, the Tuesday morning, and mark your calendar for the 14th of September.

Rusty.

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