Ribanceira Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’ll take it from here. Let’s get into it.

First up, we’re looking at Ribanceira – a sandbar set-up. It’s a bit on the sheltered side, so it needs the right push. Over the next 16 days, there’s a bit of a slow start, but once the wind and swell line up, it’ll come good.

Right now, Friday morning is a write-off. Strong cross-on wind from the north, 12 mph, and the swell is a weak 2 ft. Not worth paddling out.

Friday afternoon is a little better – that cross-off wind from the west at 6 mph cleans things up for some 2 ft waves. It’s small, but rideable. Not a standout though.

Now, Saturday the 12th is where it starts to fire. Morning brings a clean 6 ft south swell with a solid 12 mph offshore wind. That’s moderate wave energy (408) and the period is 8 seconds. That’s good, punchy surf for intermediates. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7 ft, but the wind switches cross-off. Still clean, but a bit more dialled in.

Sunday the 13th holds onto some decent swell – 5 ft in the morning with a light offshore. Afternoon goes glassy, 5 ft from the southeast. Nice and clean.

Monday the 14th is a write-off. Onshore winds and messy conditions. Swell’s there but the wind ruins it.

Tuesday the 15th is flat and messy. Small stuff, poor conditions.

Wednesday the 16th is another good one. Morning offshore at 12 mph, 6 ft south swell, moderate energy (432). Solid. Afternoon gets bigger at 7 ft, but the wind is cross-off.

Then Thursday the 17th shows a big pulse – 7 ft south swell with a *very long period* of 13 seconds, and combined energy of 1793. That’s strong. But the onshore wind from the northeast at 9 mph kills it – poor conditions. This one is for experts only if they’re keen on a messy paddle, but honestly, the wind makes it tough.

Friday the 18th through Sunday the 20th is mostly small and onshore. Just a waiting game.

Monday the 21st shows a tiny pulse, but Tuesday the 22nd is a real highlight. Clean 6 ft south swell in the morning with a light offshore wind, and good energy (525). Afternoon holds at 5 ft, still clean. That’s a solid day for Ribanceira.

Wednesday the 23rd is small and glassy in the morning – 3 ft, nice for a relaxed session. Afternoon goes onshore and messy.

Thursday the 24th: light offshore, 5 ft to 6 ft south swell. Clean but not huge.

Friday the 25th is a big one – morning gets a 6 ft south swell with a *very long period* of 12 seconds, and a strong 22 mph offshore wind. That’s 1184 energy – strong. But that period will make it a bit tricky here at a sandbar, might be a bit too straight. Still, for an experienced surfer, that’s a punchy, clean session.

Saturday the 26th finishes the run nicely – 5 ft south swell, light offshore, clean.

The best of the bunch? I’d say Saturday the 12th morning for that clean offshore and 6 ft swell, and Tuesday the 22nd for the combo of clean conditions and solid energy. If you’re chasing size with good wind, Friday the 25th morning is a big, clean swell – but it’s for experienced surfers only.

Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on.

Remember, this is a sandbar, so when the period gets long (over 11 seconds) the waves can straighten out a bit. Keep that in mind for the bigger days.

That’s the story from Ribanceira. Get on it when the wind’s right.

- Rusty

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