Sutton-on-Sea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – we’re looking at a pretty grim stretch for Sutton-on-Sea. The next 16 days are a write-off for any decent surf. There’s just nothing on the cards that’s worth paddling out for.

The whole run is plagued by tiny, weak swell. The occasional bit of energy pops up, but it’s always paired with poor conditions or just plain too small to do anything with. The water is a notable 67° for the first break, which is a massive 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath, but the waves are a total letdown.

The forecast starts with the first recommendation on Sunday, 30 August. Morning brings a tiny 1-foot swell from the north, with a short 6-second period and a combined energy of just 8 – that’s barely a ripple. A light cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but it’s just not surfable. The pattern doesn’t improve. Monday and Tuesday offer similar, with the swell staying below 2 feet, though we get a moderate offshore wind on Monday with a fresh breeze hitting 22 mph, which just makes the surface messy.

Wednesday 2 September is a total flat day with swell dropping to 0.3 feet. Thursday 3 September sees a touch more hope with a 1-foot swell from the north and a period of 11 seconds, giving a combined energy of 37 – still weak. The wind is fresh offshore, but the size is just not there.

The closest we get to anything interesting is Saturday 5 September. The morning shows a 3-foot north swell, 8-second period, and a combined energy of 76, which is the highest we see. A fresh cross-offshore wind from the NW keeps it clean. But even then, 3 feet on an inconsistent beginner break is not going to give you a ride worth talking about.

After that, the whole second week fades into nothing. From Sunday 6 September onward, the swell drops back to 0.7 feet, 0.3 feet, and then flat spells. The wind shifts onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy is gone. Thursday 10 September offers a brief glimmer of glassy conditions, with a 2-foot north swell and a 9-second period, but the combined energy is only 39. It’s clean, but still gutless.

The final few days of the forecast, from 11 to 14 September, see a tiny bump from the east and southeast, with swell heights of 2 feet to 3 feet, but the periods drop to 4 or 5 seconds – that’s pure wind chop, no power. The wind is cross-onshore or onshore, adding to the chop. It’s a total washout.

For a spot like Sutton-on-Sea, which is inconsistent at the best of times, a blank run like this is more normal than surprising. It’s not worth the session. Keep the board in the car for now and wait for the forecasts to change.

Rusty.

Read more