Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: for the next couple of weeks we’re looking at a run of very quiet days followed by some building, but messy, conditions. The sea’s going to be dead flat for a while, then we get some size, but the wind ain’t going to do us any favours for most of it.

First up, there’s absolutely nothing rideable right now. The water at Paignton is sitting at a notable 64°F which is much warmer than normal for the time of year, but you’ll be needing a board just for a swim. Through Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th, it’s flat. Westerly cross-off and offshore winds are blowing over a glassy sea, but with zero swell, that’s no use to us. This flat spell drags on through Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th. On Friday the 10th, a tiny 3ft easterly swell creeps in with a period of only 4 seconds and combined wave energy of just 22 – that’s weak energy. It’s not worth paddling out for, especially with onshore and cross-onshore winds messing it up.

By Saturday the 11th, we see the first real pulse: 4ft from the east, period of 6 seconds, and combined energy of 123 (moderate). But the wind is a cross-onshore from the ENE at 12 mph, so the surface will be choppy. It’s poor surf conditions. The same story continues through Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th, with swell height climbing to 6ft and energy building to 311. That’s a moderate wave energy, but that fresh cross-onshore wind will have it lumpy and sloppy. On Monday afternoon the 13th, the forecast switches to “marginal” with a 5ft east swell and a light cross-onshore – it’s the first glimmer of something, but only barely.

From Tuesday the 14th through Thursday the 16th, the swell peaks. Thursday morning the 16th shows 8ft from the east with a 7-second period and combined energy of 553 – that’s strong wave energy. But the wind is onshore from the ENE at 16 mph. It’s going to be a big, bumpy mess. At 8ft, this is only for expert surfers, and the onshore wind will make it even harder. After that it drops back quickly through the 17th and 18th, and by the 19th and 20th it’s back to flat with onshore winds. Tuesday the 21st brings a tiny 2ft east-southeast swell with a 4-second period and only 7 energy, so basically nothing.

There’s no standout day here. If I had to pick the best of a bad bunch, it would be Thursday the 16th for the size – but only if you’re an expert and don’t mind strong onshore winds. The easterly swell is coming from the east (optimum direction for Paignton), but the period is short, so it’ll be weak and bumpy. For the rest of us, it’s a flat spell with a few days of messy, blown-out surf in between. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during the stronger winds.

Stay tuned – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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