Long Strand-Castlefreke Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Long Strand-Castlefreke and I’m gonna level with you – this is a tough one to call. The next two weeks are looking pretty bleak for a proper paddle, with a whole lot of flat spells and messy conditions. We’ve got an 11-day stretch at the start with nothing really worth getting wet for, so don’t be in a hurry to wax your board.

It all kicks off on Friday, August 7th, with next to nothing on offer. You’re looking at a tiny 0.7ft SSW swell and a light breeze, but the combined energy is a measly 28 (weak). The water is a touch warmer than normal at 65°, about 3° above the usual for this time of year. It’s just not doing anything. Saturday the 8th brings a little bump to 2ft, but that S wind is up to 16 mph and cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. No good.

We go through a long, flat spell right through until the middle of the month. Morning of Monday the 10th it’s a flat 0.3ft, though the wind is light and clean offshore. Still, there’s just no energy – only 6 weak energy. Tuesday the 11th is more of the same. We get a little spike on Wednesday the 12th with 2ft SW swell, but the wind is onshore and the period is short (8-9 seconds), so it’s just a weak, messy closeout. The energy is better at 74, but still weak.

The real tease comes on Wednesday, August 19th. That morning the swell jumps to 7ft from the WSW, with a clean cross-offshore wind from the N at 19 mph. The combined energy hits 589 (strong). But here’s the kicker – the guidance says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. For a spot that’s exposed, that’s expert-only territory. The period is short (8 seconds), so it’ll be a heavy, dumping shorebreak. Not for the faint of heart. The afternoon sees 7ft, still too big, with lighter NNW wind. It’s a stand-out for strong energy, but only for the absolute pros.

After that, it drops back to tiny 1.0ft on Thursday the 20th with onshore wind, and a little bump on Friday the 21st with 3ft but a short period (5 seconds) and a rain squall. The energy is weak (94). The last day, Saturday the 22nd, there’s a 4ft SW swell and moderate cross-onshore wind, with energy at 191 (moderate), but it’s still a choppy, messy affair.

So, bottom line: Wednesday the 19th is the only real blip on the radar, and that’s a big, angry wave for experts only. For the rest of us, it’s a long wait for a proper session. Keep the board in the bag and watch the cams. This is Rusty, signing off.

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