Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, in feet and miles for the imperial crew. Gotta be honest, the outlook for Paignton over the next 16 days is a tough pill to swallow. There’s a lot of flat, a lot of nothing, and only a few tiny windows of barely-rideable junk.

We’re looking at no real surf until the morning of Sunday, 19th July. That’s a four-day gap of nothing. On that Sunday morning, we finally get a pulse: 4ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds – short-period, weak energy at 112 (moderate, just barely). The wind’s cross-onshore from the NE at 15 mph, so it’s gonna be choppy and messy. Waist-high, but not clean.

Then it’s back to dribble. Monday 20th has 0.3ft, Tuesday 21st has 0.3ft, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd are flat – zero swell. Then Friday 24th through Tuesday 28th? Another five days of nothing. A long, dry spell.

Late in the window, we get a little flicker. On Wednesday 30th July, there’s a 3ft east swell, period 5 seconds, with clean offshore NW winds at 12 mph. Energy is 27 (weak). It’s small, but glassy conditions in the morning will make it look better. Then Thursday 31st July morning has a glassy, 1ft east swell – period 4 seconds – energy of just 6. Tiny, but a beginner on a longboard might catch a knee-high wave.

The best of the bunch? I’d say Wednesday 30th July. That 3ft east swell with clean NW winds (offshore for Paignton) will give you smooth, clean surfaces. The break is Paignton itself – a beginner-friendly, fairly exposed beach break that’s inconsistent. Not a standout, but the best we’ve got. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

There’s a glassy morning on the 31st, but the swell is barely a ripple. Honestly, for most of this period, the setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddler.

Hang in there. It’s been a blank run, but that’s not unusual for the area. Forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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