Long Strand-Castlefreke Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you. The next week and a half is looking pretty grim for Long Strand-Castlefreke. I’m talking flat, weak, and messy. The swell energy is just not there—we’re looking at single-digit to low double-digit readings for the combined energy, which is about as weak as it gets. There’s a bit of swell on the 14th and 15th, but it’s just tiny, ankle-slappers, 0.7ft to 1ft stuff with a short, weak period. The winds are mostly cross or onshore, so it’s going to be a battle just to get a grovelly one. Honestly, this stretch is a write-off. You’d be better off doing something else.

Now, the water temp is sitting at 66°, which is a solid 5° warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a nice little anomaly to keep in the back of your mind when you’re putting on the wetsuit—or not, if you’re brave.

The first real spark of life shows up around the 22nd and 23rd. The swell is still tiny, 1ft, but the winds turn offshore and clean. It’s not going to be epic, but at least it’ll be glassy and you might snag a few clean little runners. The energy is picking up a touch too. This is the best of a bad bunch for the first week.

But hold on to your board, because the real story is about a week out. Around the 27th, that big groundswell starts to fill in. We’re talking a 3ft swell with a 5-second period early, but by the afternoon of the 27th, it jumps to 7ft with an 8-second period and the energy rockets. Then the 28th gets serious. The morning brings 8ft of SW swell at 12 seconds, and the energy is huge. The afternoon is even bigger, 8ft at 12 seconds, with massive energy. That’s some serious power.

Now, here’s the catch. The wind is offshore and clean for that whole window, which is a huge positive. But, this is an exposed beach break. With that much swell, it’s going to be dumping and closing out. This is strictly for experts. If you’re not a solid, experienced surfer, stay well clear. This is a ledgey, heavy day, and it could easily be more of a washing machine than a point break. It’s called *Long Strand* for a reason. For the crew who can handle it, the 28th is the standout. Just be smart.

After that, the swell backs off quickly. The 29th sees it drop to 3ft, with a mixed, shorter-period energy, but the wind goes cross-onshore again, so it’s messy.

So, the plan: skip the next week, mark the 22nd and 23rd for a potential fun but small session, and keep your eyes on the 28th for the big one. That’s the day with real power. It’s a promise, not a guarantee, but it looks like the real deal. Be safe out there.

Rusty

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