Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for this corner of the coast.

Straight off the bat, we are looking at a proper flat spell. From now through the first few days of July, there’s absolutely nothing doing – no swell to speak of, just clean skies and light breezes but not a ripple worth paddling for. It’s a tough stretch, but don’t lose hope just yet.

We finally see a shift on Wednesday the 8th of July. The swell shows up tiny, only 1ft from the ENE with a short, weak 3-second period. The combined wave energy is a paltry 2, so it’s basically a lake. Not worth getting wet for. That pattern drags on through Thursday and Friday of that first week with small, weak, onshore wind-affected waves. The wind is blowing from the ENE to E, straight onshore, making it a bumpy mess. The combined energy does pick up a bit on Friday morning the 10th to 41, but the swell is still only 3ft and period is a weak 6 seconds, so it’s not doing you any favours.

Saturday the 11th of July sees the wind swing nasty from the north at 22 mph, creating a lumpy cross-shore chop. Not for paddling, plain and simple. We get a few cleaner days from Sunday the 12th through to Monday the 13th, but there’s no swell at all, so it’s just flat and clean again.

The best of a mediocre bunch shows up on Tuesday the 14th of July. A tiny 3ft lump from the NNE with a 4-second period sneaks in, but the wind turns offshore from the west at 10 mph, keeping the surface clean. The combined energy is only 19, so it’s weak, but at least it’s rideable for a beginner. That’s the only real window for a splash. Wednesday the 15th of July also offers some clean, offshore conditions with 3ft from the east (period 6 seconds, energy 42), but the wind gets up to 18 mph in the afternoon, so it’s a session for early birds.

Further out, into the second week, things get a little more interesting but still far from perfect. Saturday the 18th of July shows the biggest swell of the whole run: 5ft from the NE, with a 6-second period and combined energy of 148 – that’s a solid moderate pulse. The catch is the wind is howling from the SSW at 18 mph, creating a cross-off breeze which keeps it clean, but that’s strong wind for the size. It’s a long-range call, so less certain, but if it holds, it could offer some punchy, clean waves for the more experienced surfer. Anything over 5ft can be a handful for beginners, so this one is for the crew with a bit of time in the water.

Overall, Paignton is a flat and quiet spot for the next two weeks. The standout is that Tuesday the 14th of July for the cleanest, smallest waves with the offshore wind, and keep an eye on that Saturday the 18th of July for the biggest but windiest option. It’s not a classic period, but forecasts can shake things up.

Right, that’s the lot from me. Keep your eyes on the horizon.

Rusty.

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