Tam O'Shanter Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright surf’s up… or not. Let’s be straight with you. The next 16 days are looking like a proper waiting game for Tam O'Shanter. There’s a real dry spell on the cards, with a lot of small, weak and messy surf on the horizon. The first few days are virtually a write-off, so don't be in a rush to grab your board.

The opening stretch, from the 10th to the 13th, is pretty flat. We’ve got some tiny NW groundswell, but it’s barely breaking, with wave heights stuck around 0.7ft to 1ft. The energy is weak (80), and the light winds are cross-off or glassy at times, so it would be clean if there was anything to ride. But there isn't. You’d be bobbing around for nothing. It's a real tease.

Then things get a bit weird. On the 14th, a new, short-period swell arrives from the NW, pushing surf to 4ft in the morning, but it’s junky. The period is only 6 seconds, and the wind goes onshore and strong, making a mess of it. In the afternoon, the swell bumps up to 5ft, but the wind picks up to 25 mph, which is just horrible. Too much wind, too much chop – this is only for the most desperate or those who enjoy a beatdown. It’s a no from me.

The 15th cleans up a bit with a cross-off wind, and the swell holds around 4ft to 5ft. The energy is moderate (266) but the period is still short, around 7-8 seconds. There could be a few fun ones if you’re willing to fight for them, but it still isn't great. It's more about managing expectations than scoring gems.

We then hit another flat spell from the 16th to the 19th, with small, weak NW swells between 0.3ft and 1ft. The conditions are clean at times, but with almost no energy, it’s a total lake out there. You’d have better luck with a paddle board than a surfboard.

The next real pulse of swell is on the 20th and 21st. The 20th brings in 4ft to 4ft swell, but with a near gale blowing from the WNW. The wind is 31 mph! That’s not surfing, that’s kite surfing territory. The period is short (6-7 seconds), so it'll be lumpy and chaotic. The 21st is a bit better, with a moderate 3ft to 5ft swell and the wind backing off, but the period is still short and the cross-shore wind will keep things lumpy. Not a standout by any means.

After that, it’s back to the small stuff. The 22nd sees the swell drop to 0.3ft, and the rest of the period through the 25th is mostly tiny, with some weak, long-period NW energy. The morning of the 23rd has a slight cross-off breeze, but you’re looking at 1ft waves. It's a long, drawn-out lull.

So, the long and short of it is, there is nothing on offer that I’d call a standout. The best of a bad bunch is probably the morning of the 15th, with the clean cross-off wind and some moderate energy. But even then, the short period and average size keep it from being anything special. And that period around the 20th and 21st? The wind makes it a no-go for the average punter. Tread water, wait for better days, and check back soon.

For what it’s worth, the water temps are about average for this time of year at Tam O'Shanter, so you won't need a thick suit just yet.

But if you're looking for waves, this isn't the week. Keep the board in the car, but don't be surprised if you don't use it.

Alright, that's all from me.

Rusty.

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