Porthtowan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let's have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. First thing I’ll say is, it’s a bit of a slow burner. The start of this run is mostly a write-off, with a lot of trash wind and messy conditions. We’re looking at a pretty grim stretch until the middle of the next week before anything really turns on.

Alright, so for Porthtowan, the first week is a real struggle. Monday the 14th is a no-go – cloudy, cross-shore wind at 12 mph with a weak waist-high 4 ft swell from the west, period at a so-so 9 seconds. The combined energy is only 236, which is weak, and the comment calls it poor. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 64°F. Tuesday and Wednesday get bigger, with a clean offshore wind from the WNW, but the swell gets messy and the report still says poor. By Wednesday the 16th, we’ve got a 7 ft swell from the west, but it’s coming with a 19 mph onshore wind and a combined energy reading of 1017 – that’s moderate to strong energy, but the onshore wind is just going to wreck it. That’s too big for beginners, and with the onshore wind, it’s just a messy, blown-out wall for experts only. Thursday the 17th is similar – 7 ft with 19 mph onshore. Not worth it.

We get a bit of a blip on Friday the 18th with a big 7 ft swell from the WNW and a long 13-second period – a proper groundswell. The combined energy hits 1436, which is strong. But it’s got a cross/onshore wind from the west at 12 mph and it’s described as choppy. That’s a tough paddle out and the shape will be lumpy. The afternoon gets a bit better with a cross-shore, but it’s still fresh and lumpy. If you’re a strong paddler and don’t mind a bit of a wrestle, it’s a power session, but it’s far from clean.

The next weekend, the 19th and 20th, the wind swings cross or cross-onshore, and the swell drops back to 6 ft with a 9 to 10-second period. It’s still a bit messy, but for a decent surfer, the Saturday morning might be borderline chest-high and rideable if you pick your tide. Sunday gets lighter wind, but the wave comment is still poor.

Here’s where it changes. Monday the 21st of September is the first proper standout. The morning is glassy – zero wind from the SSW. There’s a 4 ft swell from the WNW with a 13-second period, giving 425 combined energy – moderate. That’s clean, lined-up, and given the offshore optimum direction for Porthtowan is WNW, this is a match. The break is fairly consistent, but it can get busy, and as a beginner-friendly spot, this glassy window is a real gem. It’s small but beautiful.

Tuesday the 22nd is another good one. Light offshore wind from the SE at 6 mph, solid 4 ft swell from the west with a 10-second period, and 380 combined energy. The wave comment says "expect good surf conditions". It’ll be clean and fun.

After that, things drop off again. Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th get small and weak, with cross-onshore winds. Thursday the 24th afternoon does have a freakishly long 18-second period groundswell from the west, but at only 3 ft and with a 16 mph cross-offshore wind, it’s clean but gutless. The energy is 640, moderate, but the wave comment is poor. Too straight and small for much.

The final few days of September give us a couple of surfable but ordinary days. The 27th has a 4 ft short-period 7-second swell from the WNW, so it’ll be weak and crumbly. The 28th is glassy again but only 3 ft. Nothing to write home about.

Then, on Tuesday the 29th of September, we get a late pulse. A 5 ft swell from the WNW with a 12-second period, combined energy at 686 – moderate to strong. The wind is cross-onshore at 6 mph, so it’s not perfect, but it’s a decent size with decent period. The wave comment says marginal, so pick your tide and expect a bit of bump.

Bottom line: If you’ve got patience, hold out for the glassy morning of Monday the 21st for clean, lined-up waves. Tuesday the 22nd is also a solid call with offshore winds. The rest is either blown out or too small. The long-range pulse on the 29th is promising but not a sure thing this far out.

– Rusty

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