Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Swanage. We've got a long stretch ahead, sixteen days in fact, and I'll be straight with you – it's a real mixed bag with a whole lot of nothing before we get to the good stuff.

First up, the water temp is sitting at about 68°, which is a solid 7° warmer than average for this time of year. That's very unusual, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit or maybe even boardshorts if you're tough enough.

Right now, and for the next week and a half, it's pretty grim. The waves are tiny, the swell energy is weak, and the conditions just aren't there. We've got a run of days with barely a ripple. The end of July and the first few days of August are a write-off, with the swell energy barely registering (0 to 22). There's a little bump on the 4th of August morning with some moderate energy (105), but the swell is only 2ft and the wind is cross-off, so it's not going to be anything special. The forecast is just poor across the board.

The real interest comes later, and it's a proper long-range promise. On Saturday the 8th of August, things are looking much more interesting. The morning will see a solid 10ft swell from the SW, with a period of 8 seconds. That's a lot of water, and combined energy is strong at 946. It's a big, powerful swell, definitely expert territory if it's that size. The wind is a clean light breeze from the NNW, which is cross-offshore, so the waves should be holding up nicely. For the afternoon, it drops a touch to 8ft from the SW but the wind swings offshore from the WSW, and the energy jumps to 1057. That is your standout window. It's clean, it's big, and it's got grunt.

Now, Swanage is a very sheltered spot, rarely breaks, and is best with a SW swell. This fits the bill. But with a 10ft swell, this is not for the faint-hearted. It's for the experienced crew who know what they're doing. The crowds are "sometimes" an issue, and with a forecast like this, you can bet there will be a few people out. Also, keep in mind that a period of 8 seconds is a bit short, so the waves might be a bit crumbly and not as lined up as a longer period groundswell.

After that peak, it drops off quickly. The 9th of August has a 3ft swell and a 9-second period, but the wind is onshore and strong by the afternoon, so it'll be a mess. The last few days of the outlook are all blown out with strong winds and tiny waves.

So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a total bust. Don't even bother. Your one and only real shot is Saturday the 8th of August. The morning might be the pick for the biggest, cleanest sets, but it's massive. The afternoon is a touch smaller but glassy. If you're a confident surfer, that's your day. If you're a beginner, sit this whole forecast out.

Rusty

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