Paignton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a proper look at what’s on offer here. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead for Paignton. We’ve got a long, dry spell of almost nothing worthwhile on the cards for the first week or so. From Saturday the 22nd right through to Thursday the 27th, it’s just flat or blown-out junk – tiny windswell with periods barely hitting 4 seconds, and cross-onshore winds making a mess of it. You’ll be looking at nothing but a lake or a washing machine those days.

The first real glimmer comes very early on Friday the 28th. That’s the standout. We get a clean 10-foot swell pushing in from the southeast, with a period of 7 seconds, and offshore winds from the west-northwest. That’s proper clean conditions for the first time. The combined swell energy is pretty meaty at 889, so expect some heavy lumps. That said, it’s short-period swell – 7 seconds – so it’ll be a bit lumpy and walled up at a beach break like Paignton. This one’s for experienced surfers only; 10-foot is serious. It drops off sharp after that – by Saturday afternoon it’s back to tiny 0.3-foot junk.

After that, we’re into another long gap. From Saturday the 29th right through to Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s mostly flat again with only scraps of 3-foot and no real power. A few days with offshore winds keep the water glassy, but there’s simply no wave energy to ride – combined swell energy is mostly zero or in the teens. You’d be better off going for a paddle. Even the last few days up to Sunday the 6th show nothing but cross-shore chop and no swell.

If you’re desperate for a wave, that Friday morning the 28th is your only real window, but it’s a short-lived, expert-only affair with that big short-period swell. Otherwise, we’re in a near-empty 16-day window. For an area like this, a blank run like this isn’t unusual – it happens. But it still stings.

Rusty.

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