Porth Ceriad Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at the surf coming up for Porth Ceriad. Truth be told, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re starting with a real dry spell, and the first few days are basically a write-off for a proper paddle.

The forecast kicks off on Friday the 28th of August, but there’s nothing worth getting wet for. The swell is tiny at 1 feet from the SW with a weak 6-second period, and that cross-on wind from the SW at 12 mph is making a mess of things. The combined swell energy is a puny 13, so it’s flat and choppy. The water is running at 66°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s really unusual, almost like a warm bath, but it won’t make up for the lack of waves.

We’ve got a solid gap of nothing happening for the first week. Saturday the 29th has a brief moment on the afternoon with a clean offshore wind from the N at 6 mph, but the swell is only 2 feet, and the energy is a pathetic 18. It’s too small to ride. Sunday the 30th brings a bit more size – 3 feet SW swell with a 9-second period, and energy hits 172 – but it’s a risk of thunderstorms with strong onshore wind. Not worth it.

The whole week rolls on like this: Monday the 31st has a 2 feet SW swell with clean winds, but it’s ordinary. Tuesday the 1st of September is cross-on and lumpy. Wednesday the 2nd sees 6 feet SW swell with a 6-second period and 28 mph winds – that’s a messy, strong cross-on blow, and the energy is 244, but it’s just a washing machine. Thursday through Saturday are all in the same boat: cross-shore winds, short period, and poor conditions.

Now, the standout, and I mean the only real highlight, is on Tuesday the 8th of September. The morning is a write-off – 12 feet WSW swell at 10 seconds, but cross winds at 22 mph make it lumpy. But the afternoon, that’s the one. The swell is 12 feet from the WSW, period stretching to 11 seconds, and the wind is a clean offshore from the NW at 25 mph. The combined swell energy is a massive 2772 – that’s powerful, proper groundswell energy. The wind and tide are favorable, but listen, this is for experts only. At 12 feet, it’s way too big for beginners. This is a serious, heavy wave. For a spot like Porth Ceriad, which is exposed to the SW, that’s a lot of water moving. It’ll be a sight to see, but only the most experienced should even think about paddling out.

After that, Wednesday the 9th drops right back to tiny 2 feet and 2 feet with no energy, and the rest of the week into the 12th is just onshore rubbish with small swell. That one day, the 8th of September afternoon, is the only true standout, and it’s a big one. Keep your eyes on that, but respect the size.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty.

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