Strandhill Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s brewing for the next couple of weeks at Strandhill.

The pattern is a bit of a slow burner, honestly. We’ve got a few days of messy, cross-shore stuff to get through before things start to clean up. The big standout is a proper pulse of swell arriving on the 20th of September, which is looking like the pick of the whole period. There’s also a monster swell on the cards for the 24th, but that’s going to be a big one, so keep your wits about you.

Thursday, 10th September is a write-off – poor surf with a lumpy cross-chop, not worth looking at. Friday, 11th doesn’t get much better, with a marginal 4ft cross-shore swell and a weak wave energy. Saturday, 12th sees a bump in size to 7ft, but it’s got a cross-onshore wind and a moderate energy, making it a messy, choppy affair. Sunday, 13th is a glimmer of hope: a 4ft clean swell from the WNW with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 11-second period. The wave energy is moderate. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far. Monday, 14th and Tuesday, 15th are a step back into poor conditions with onshore winds, so no dice there.

Wednesday, 16th is another poor one with onshore winds. Thursday, 17th is a beauty of a morning window. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the west, a 11-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the SSE. The wave energy is solid. This is a very good option for the intermediate surfer – the water is about average for the time of year. Friday, 18th offers a smaller, clean 4ft morning with a light cross-offshore breeze, but it’s not a standout.

Now, the main event: Sunday, 20th September. The morning is absolutely firing. A 8ft swell from the WNW with a long 14-second period is pumping. The wave energy is very strong, and the wind is a light cross-offshore. This is excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The beach/sandbar set-up at Strandhill can handle this size, but it’s a lot of power, so you’ll want your wetsuit and your wits about you. The afternoon sees a cross-shore wind pick up and the energy drops a bit, so the morning is the clear window.

Monday, 21st and Tuesday, 22nd are poor again, with fresh cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. Wednesday, 23rd sees a big 8ft swell roll in by the afternoon, but it’s onshore and messy. The wave energy is through the roof. Thursday, 24th morning is a massive 10ft swell from the west with a 14-second period and a moderate cross-shore wind. The energy is huge, but the file says it’s simply too big for this break. This is one for the experts only, and even then, it’s pushing it. The afternoon is a write-off with a fresh cross-onshore gale.

So, to sum it up: the best bets are the Thursday, 17th September morning for a clean, solid session, and the absolute standout is the Sunday, 20th September morning for a proper, powerful groundswell session. The big 24th is a monster only for the very brave.

Rusty.

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