Poldhu Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Poldhu Cove. I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch ahead. The water temp is sitting at 65°F which is a touch warmer than normal for late August, but that’s about the only thing that’s working in our favour.

We’re looking at a long, bleak run here. From Tuesday the 25th of August, right through until the end of the first week of September, there’s barely a sniff of anything rideable. The wind is a constant problem – mostly howling onshore or cross-onshore, with speeds hitting 19 mph to 25 mph, and even 37 mph by Thursday the 3rd of September. That’s going to make a mess of what little swell there is. The wave energy is weak to moderate at best for most of that time, barely cracking 100 (combined energy of all swells directed here) on the good days, and when it does get bigger, like on the 29th of August with 10ft swell from the WSW, the wind is a solid 19-22 mph cross-onshore, creating lumpy, horrible conditions. There’s a brief moment on Friday the 28th of August morning where the wind goes cross-off with a 7ft swell from the west, but it’s a 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit fat and weak. Still, it’s the only clean-looking window in that first week – but it’s marginal, and the tide might be a problem.

The pattern doesn’t let up. We get a few days of big, messy, cross-onshore slop, then into the second week we see the swell size really pump up, but the wind just won’t cooperate. 5th of September has a 10ft west-southwest swell with a 10-second period, and the wave energy is massive – 1962 (combined energy of all swells directed here) in the morning, 3669 in the afternoon – but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. This is serious power, but it’s not clean enough for a paddle board. Frankly, for a beach-and-reef setup like Poldhu Cove, this looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a traditional surfer.

The only glimmer of hope comes right at the very end. On Wednesday the 9th of September, we finally see a proper shift. The wind swings to a light cross-off from the northwest, 12 mph in the morning, and the swell is a clean 6ft from the west with a 12-second period (combined energy of all swells directed here: 773). That’s a long-period groundswell, and it’s arriving with clean conditions. The afternoon is a bit more cross-shore, but still gentle. This is the standout. It’s the only window in the whole 16 days where the stars align. It’s a bit of a wait, but that Wednesday morning is the one to circle. The swell is solid, the period is long, and the wind is clean. The water is still a touch warmer than normal, and because it’s inconsistent, you might have the place to yourself – crowds are only sometimes an issue here.

Other than that, it’s a write-off. A long, frustrating gap of nearly two weeks with nothing worth paddling out for. But this area can turn around quickly, and forecasts can change. For now, rest up and point your eyes towards the 9th.

Rusty.

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