Ribanceira Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board, let’s talk about what’s coming up for Ribanceira.

We’re looking at a solid run of surf starting this Friday the 3rd of July, but you’ve got to pick your windows carefully. The good news is, there’s plenty of swell on the table, but the wind is going to be the story here, especially later on.

Friday morning kicks it off with a proper 10ft southerly swell, period around 9 seconds. The wind is a moderate offshore from the SSW, keeping things clean. This is a hefty size though – over 8ft, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. The water is sitting at 61°, which is a solid 5° colder than normal, so that’s a big anomaly. You’ll want a good steamer. The combined energy is pumping at 1682, so there’s some serious power. Friday afternoon drops a bit to 8ft, still sizable, with a cross-offshore breeze, but the quality drops a notch.

Saturday morning the 4th cleans right up. You’ve got a 8ft southerly swell, but the period stretches to 12 seconds, giving it that proper groundswell push. Light offshore wind from the SW makes for clean conditions, and energy is at 1519. This is the pick of the weekend for the experienced surfer – the longer period will shape up nicely on the sandbanks, though with that size, it’s still solid.

Sunday the 5th is a real standout. Early morning is glassy – no wind at all – with a 7ft south swell and an 11-second period. That’s clean, smooth, and powerful. Energy is a bit lower at 969, but the quality will be high. This is the best session for the intermediate surfer; the size is more manageable, and the conditions will be pristine. Crowds are likely here on a clear Sunday with that kind of forecast. Stay away from Sunday afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the NE and ruins it.

Monday and Tuesday drop off significantly in size, with 3ft to 5ft swell and onshore or cross-onshore winds. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 8th through Friday the 10th are small, with waves around 3ft to 4ft. There’s a moment Thursday evening with glassy conditions and a 3ft wave, but that’s tiny.

Now, around the 12th and 13th of July, things start to look interesting again. Saturday the 11th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds. But Sunday morning the 12th you get a clean 4ft swell with a 13-second period – that’s long, lully groundswell, and offshore wind. Energy is 628. This will be a clean, fun size for longboarders or bigger boards. Monday the 13th sees a jump back to 7ft south swell with clean offshore wind in the morning. That’s another good session.

The second half of the month, from the 15th onward, gets messy. The wind turns onshore and stays that way, with swell still pumping but blown out. The 16th has a 7ft southerly but NNE winds ruin it. The 17th gets even bigger at 8ft, but again, onshore winds. This is a classic case of lots of energy with no quality. For the experienced guys, this might be a kite surfing situation if you’re into that, because the wind and swell are there, just not for clean paddle surfing.

So, bottom line: hit Sunday morning the 5th early for the glassy, clean 7ft waves – that’s the best moment. For the bigger, more powerful stuff, Saturday morning the 4th is your best bet for clean, solid waves.

Be smart about the crowds and the temperature. Stay stoked.

- Rusty

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