Porth Ceriad Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what we’ve got on the cards for this stretch.

Honestly, it’s a tough period ahead. We’re looking at a long run of days with poor surf conditions and not much to get excited about. The first real chance of anything rideable won't come until the middle of the second week, and even then, it’s going to be a tricky call. There’s a gap of several days right from the start where it’s just not worth paddling out.

The only spot in the mix is Porth Ceriad. It’s a beginner-friendly, exposed beach, and the optimum swell direction is from the SW. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is 4° warmer than usual for the time of year – that’s noticeably warm, a little unusual, and actually quite pleasant.

Sunday, September 13th is a write-off. Tiny 2ft swell from the SW with a short 6-second period, and the wind is cross-off in the morning but goes cross-on in the afternoon. The combined energy is weak (33). Not worth looking at.

Monday, September 14th stays poor. The swell bumps up to 3ft in the morning and 3ft in the afternoon, but the period is still a short 5 seconds, and the wind is a moderate to fresh cross-onshore. That’s choppy, lumpy, and messy. Don’t bother.

Tuesday, September 15th sees the swell drop off slightly. Morning has 4ft from the WSW with a 6-second period, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, creating lumpy cross-chop. Moderate wave energy (123). Afternoon is cleaner with a cross-off wind but the swell is down to 4ft. Still, not good enough.

Wednesday, September 16th is a weird one. Morning is tiny at 0.7ft, but the period jumps to 10 seconds – that’s a groundswell signal. Combined energy is very weak (19). Clean but not surfable.

Thursday, September 17th – this is the first possible standout, but it’s a caveat. The morning has 5ft from the W, a 6-second period, clean conditions with a cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 160 (moderate). This is the biggest swell so far, but the period is short. The afternoon gets messy again with cross-onshore wind. If you’re an experienced surfer, the morning might offer some lumpy but clean lines. For beginners, 5ft might be a bit much.

Friday, September 18th gets more size, but the wind kills it. 5ft in the morning from the W, clean cross-off wind, 6-second period, energy at 175. Afternoon jumps to 7ft from the SW with a 7-second period, but the wind is a near gale cross-onshore, making it blown out and dangerous. Not good.

Saturday, September 19th is all over the place. Morning has 3ft from the SW, strong cross-shore wind, messy. Afternoon has 6ft from the SW with a 7-second period, fresh cross-shore, lumpy. The energy is high (318) but the quality is terrible. This looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one.

Sunday, September 20th through Thursday, September 24th is more of the same – tiny swell, poor conditions, or flat. Wednesday, September 23rd even shows no waves at all.

Friday, September 25th stays small and weak.

Saturday, September 26th is a late glimmer. The afternoon turns glassy with 2ft from the SW and a 4-second period. Combined energy is weak (20). It’s clean, but very small and slow. Great for a longboard if you’re desperate.

Sunday, September 27th and Monday, September 28th finish with tiny, weak, long-period swell (13 seconds) from the W. Clean but barely breaking.

So, if I have to call a standout, it’s the morning of Thursday, September 17th at Porth Ceriad. 5ft from the W, clean cross-off wind, and the most consistent-looking energy of the whole period (160). It’s not perfect, but it’s the best on offer for the experienced crew. For the beginners, it’s worth waiting to see if any of the tiny glassy periods later in the second week firm up, but don’t hold your breath.

Stay patient, folks.

- Rusty

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