Oxwich Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and sit down for this one, because it's a bit of a tale. The short version is, the next couple of weeks are going to test your patience if you’re looking to get wet around here. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy, and just plain unexciting surf ahead, with one single bright spot right at the end of the window.

Right now, we’re looking at barely a ripple. For the first stretch, from Sunday the 16th through to the 27th, it's pretty grim. Swell heights are mostly under 3 feet, and the periods are short and weak. The energy is just pathetic, with values mostly in the single digits or teens. The wind is all over the place, mostly cross-off or cross-shore, and while that keeps things from being completely blown out, there's just no wave to push you around. It’s a lot of whitewater and bumps. Honestly, for a reef setup that needs some proper swell, this is a blank run. It’s not unusual for this area to go quiet, but this is a long stretch of nothing.

There is a wee pulse of energy around Tuesday the 18th and Thursday the 20th. The swell bumps up to a mighty 4 feet from the W, and the energy reading climbs to a moderate 163 and 179. It’s the best of a bad bunch in that first week, but the period is still a short and crumbly 7 seconds. That’s more closeout territory than proper surf. The morning wind is offshore, which is a plus, but with that short period, it’s going to be a bit disorganized and sectiony. It’ll be clean, but don't expect any gems.

The wind turns properly onshore from the ENE on Saturday the 22nd and it turns into a lumpy mess. That lasts for a few days, so just give it a miss. It’s not even that good for a kite, honestly, the swell is just gone.

Then, we get to the one to circle. On Friday the 28th of August, in the afternoon, the ocean finally wakes up. The swell jumps to 5 feet, still from the WSW, but the period stretches out to a much better 9 seconds. The energy rockets up to a strong 343. This is the standout of the entire forecast. The wind swings around to a light cross-off, which is exactly what you want to see. This is the day to clear your schedule. It’s the only time in the whole 16 days the conditions and the swell actually align for something worth paddling out for.

Now, the catch. Earlier that same morning, the swell is forecast to be even bigger, a solid 7 feet with a massive energy reading of 1095. But the wind is howling onshore from the ESE. That’s a recipe for a gutless, wind-blown mess, especially for a break like Oxwich Point (Gower) that’s sheltered. The afternoon glass-off looks like it'll save the day, with the swell backing down to that manageable 5 feet. Keep an eye on that as it gets closer, but it's a promising sign.

After that, it’s like someone shuts the door again. The 29th drops back to nothing, and the 30th and 31st offer little more than knee-high dribble with short periods. The energy is back in the single digits.

So here’s the deal. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so you'll need a decent suit. This is a two-week-plus grind with a single, potentially very fun, day on the 28th. Its a long-range call, so don't book the time off just yet, but it's got my attention. It's going to be worth the wait if it comes together.

Rusty

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