Maenporth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta say, looking at this forecast for the next couple of weeks has me feeling a bit flat. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.

For the foreseeable future, we’re in a pretty grim spell. The first solid week or so is a total write-off. From Tuesday the 28th of July right through to the end of the first week of August, it’s just one big gap of nothing. We’re talking about 11 days of virtually no swell to speak of. The wave energy is a big fat zero or barely a whisper, with readings as low as 0 (zero) and occasionally a measly 6 (six) popping up. The water temp is a balmy 67°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than usual – that’s a real anomaly for this time of year, but it’s not much comfort when there’s nothing to ride. You’d be better off checking the tide pools.

Then, we finally get a pulse. Late on Sunday, the 2nd of August, a tiny bit of life shows up in the afternoon with a 2ft swell from the WSW, but the energy is still rubbish at 61 (sixty-one), so it’s not worth getting excited about. Monday the 3rd brings a bit more size, a 3ft WSW swell, but the period is a short, weak 8 seconds, and the energy is still only moderate at 154 (one hundred and fifty-four). The wind is mostly cross-off, so it’s not horrible, but it’s not good either. Truth is, the forecast model is still calling it "poor surf conditions" right through here.

The real standout, the only one worth circling on your calendar, is the 11th of August. Tuesday morning the 11th is still small, but by the afternoon things change. We see a solid 6ft swell from the WSW, period of 8 seconds, and the wave energy jumps to 417 (four hundred and seventeen). That’s a proper moderate kick. The wind is light offshore from the NW, so it’ll be clean. Maenporth is the spot, being a sheltered little cove. It’s an inconsistent, sheltered beginner break, so when it gets a bit of size, it can be a fun little wave. The trouble is, it’s going to be a bit punchy for beginners. At 6ft, that’s pushing the limit for a learner. For the rest of us, it’s a session to look forward to.

Then the swell really stands up. Wednesday the 12th of August is the peak. Morning shows a 7ft WSW swell with 627 (six hundred and twenty-seven) energy, and the afternoon ramps up to 8ft with 722 (seven hundred and twenty-two) energy. That’s a strong pulse. The wind stays offshore, light and variable in the morning, then a gentle offshore from the WNW in the afternoon. This is the best of the bunch. That’s a proper, powerful wave for a sheltered spot. At over 7ft, it’s expert territory only. The short 8-second period means it’ll be a bit sectiony, but with clean offshore conditions, it’ll be well worth the paddle out. Just don’t expect many waves – it’s an inconsistent spot, so you’ll be waiting for the sets.

So, to wrap it up: a long, dead flat spell, then a promising, punchy window from the 11th to the 12th of August. The 12th of August is the pick of the litter, but it’s for the experienced crew only. For everyone else, keep an eye on the forecast, because it can’t stay this bad forever.

Rusty.

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