Putsborough Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a long look at what’s ahead for our stretch of coast.

Honestly, I’m looking at the next couple of weeks and it’s a tough one. We’ve got a real dry spell to start. From Monday the 24th right through to the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s just not happening. We’re talking tiny swell, barely a ripple, and when there is a little bump of energy, the wind’s all over the shop. It’s a long, frustrating gap with nothing worth paddling out for.

There’s a glimmer late on the 3rd of September. Thursday morning at Putsborough (Woolacombe) we finally see some life, with 4ft of swell from the W. It’s not big, but the wind is light easterly, so it’ll be clean. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won’t need the thickest wetsuit. The combined energy is still weak though, only around 165 (moderate). It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

Now, if you’re looking for the standout window, you have to wait a fair while. Saturday the 5th of September is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning at Putsborough is looking like our best bet in the whole run. The swell is a solid 5ft from the W, with that energy climbing to a decent 265 (moderate). But the real magic is the wind: it’s glassy. Slight air, barely a breath. That’s going to be smooth, clean lines. The downside, and I have to be straight with you, is that the period is only 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell. It won’t have the grunt of a groundswell, but for clean, fun waves on a glassy morning, that’s the pick.

Later that Saturday afternoon the wind swings onshore and messy again, and the following week doesn’t look much better through to the 7th.

Now, if you’re an expert and you like a bit of size, keep an eye on the 8th of September. Putsborough shows a big, long-period groundswell coming in: 7ft to 7ft from the W with a period of 17 and 15 seconds. That is a massive amount of energy driving in, up to 2892 (very strong) on Tuesday morning. This is a serious, powerful swell. It’s going to be well overhead. However, the wind is cross-off or cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect. And with that long period at a beach break, it can close out and get pretty heavy. This is definitely only for the experienced crew, and even then, conditions are marginal.

So, overall, the glassy morning on Saturday the 5th of September is the clear winner for the average surfer. If you can wait, the big groundswell on the 8th has potential, but it’s a gamble with the wind and the size. For now, take the clean 4ft and a prayer.

Rusty

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