Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a proper look at the charts for the next two weeks. Straight up, it’s a bit of a struggle for Paignton. The whole 16-day run is looking pretty ordinary, and there’s a big gap with no real surf on offer. From the 18th of July right through to the 24th, we’re looking at almost a full week of flat, pretty much nothing worth paddling out for. That’s a long stretch of inactivity.

The first few days have a bit of movement, but it’s messy. On Thursday the 9th, the water is unusually warm, sitting at 65°F with a massive anomaly, but it’s not helping. The first proper swell shows up on the 10th, but it’s tiny. Friday morning brings a 1ft wave from the east-northeast, with a period of just 3 seconds – that’s barely a ripple. The combined energy is only 3 (weak), and the wind is onshore. It’s not going to be a good time.

Saturday the 11th sees a jump to 4ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy hits 132 (moderate), but the wind is a cross-onshore moderate breeze, making it choppy. It’s still rated as poor surf. For a beginner spot, that’s a bit too much wind for a clean session.

Sunday the 12th pushes up to 5ft, still from the east, with a period of 6 seconds and energy at 213 (moderate). The wind is a fresh cross-onshore, again lumpy and messy. Not the kind of conditions that make you want to rush down.

The biggest swell of the run lands on Monday the 13th: 8ft from the east, period of 8 seconds, and a combined energy of 853 (strong). That’s a solid wall of water, but it’s accompanied by a fresh cross-onshore wind. At that size, Paignton is going to be a handful for anyone but experts, and the wind is ruining the shape. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly. It stays messy through the 14th and 15th with moderate energy, but the wind never cleans up.

The only glimmer of hope comes on Thursday the 16th afternoon. The swell drops to 4ft from the east, period of 6 seconds, and the wind swings offshore out of the west at 6 mph. The combined energy is only 91 (weak), but the conditions are described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” and “clean.” That’s the best you’re going to get, and it’s still a low score. It’s not a standout, it’s just the least bad of the lot.

Honestly, I can’t pick a proper standout here. The whole period is a write-off for decent surf. The water is unusually warm, but that doesn’t help the waves. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on that Thursday afternoon window, but don’t hold your breath. The gap from the 18th to the 24th is a blank run, which is normal for the area when the swell windows are tight.

Rusty.

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