Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's be straight about it – this is a tough run for the Torbay area. Looking at the charts, we've got a solid two-week stretch where Mother Nature just isn't playing ball. Paignton is the only spot on the radar, and for the vast majority of the 16-day window, we're looking at a whole lot of nothing.

From now right through until the 15th of September, it's a total wipeout. Zero surf. The combined wave energy is flat at (0). There's nothing to ride. It’s going to be a long, quiet spell with no surf on offer at all. The water is sitting at 66°°F, which is much warmer than we'd usually expect for this time of year – a solid 4°° anomaly – nice for a swim, but not helping the waves.

We finally see a little bump around the 16th of September, but honestly, it’s barely a ripple. On Wednesday morning, a tiny 1ft windswell shows up from the NE, with a short, gutless 3-second period. The energy reading is a measly (2). With a light cross-onshore breeze, it’s not going be worth getting wet for, unless you're just desperate to paddle around. The afternoon is even smaller at 0.7ft. This is pure beginner territory, and even then, it’s poor.

The next possible window doesn't pop up until the 21st of September – that’s over a week after the initial dribble. On Monday the 21st, we get a little more size, with a 3ft swell from the NE in the afternoon, period still a weak 4 seconds. Energy climbs to (38), which is still weak but at least there's something. But look at the wind – a fresh 19 mph cross-shore breeze is going to make it lumpy and messy. It’s a beach break here at Paignton, and with that wind and short-period chop, it's honestly looking more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one. The next day, Tuesday the 22nd, is similar: a 3ft NE swell but with onshore winds ruining any chance of a clean face. The energy is (27). Nothing here is a standout. There’s no session in this whole 16-day forecast that I’d call good. If you have to get in the water, the mornings of the 21st or 22nd might offer the most, but keep expectations on the floor. It’s a blank run, and sadly, it's one of those times that feels pretty normal for the area.

Keep your eye on the longer-range models – it tends not to stay this poor forever.

Rusty.

Read more