The Breakwater-St Ives Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get stuck into this one.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell for surfable waves around here. The Breakwater-St Ives is our only option on the cards, and for the next couple of weeks, it's a struggle. There's a big gap coming up with no real recommendations, so we're in for a waiting game.

For the first week or so, starting from Thursday the 9th of July, the energy is just too weak and the winds are all wrong. The water is sitting at 61° and that's pretty much normal for this time of year, no real anomaly there. The swell's coming in from the WNW, which isn't the optimum NW direction this point loves, and it's mostly in the 2ft to 3ft range with poor conditions kicking up a chop. The combined energy is low, barely pushing 121 (moderate energy), but the wind is a mess. It’s cross-shore or cross-onshore from the ENE and E, and that's just ruining any chance of a clean face. Honestly, it’s a write-off. This continues right through the next week into the 18th of July.

Now, around the 18th of July, the swell does start to build, but it’s still no good. We get a spike up to 5ft to 6ft on the Saturday from the W and NW, and the combined energy jumps up to a strong 415 (strong wave energy). That’s a lot of water moving, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is still hammering it from the cross-onshore direction. The conditions are described as "poor surf conditions" all the way through. The waves will be there, but they'll be lumpy, choppy, and hard to ride. The 18th and 19th of July will see some size but it's for the hardy only; for beginners, that 5ft+ with a cross-onshore is going to be a washing machine.

There is a little glimmer late in the run. Look at Wednesday morning, the 22nd of July. We finally get a solid cross-offshore wind from the WSW, blowing clean, with a 3ft WNW swell. That’s a magic combination for a point break – clean lines. The problem is the period is only 6 seconds, so it will be a bit weak and fat. The combined energy is also back down to a low 83 (weak wave energy). Not a standout for power, but it could be the only fun session in the whole deck if you’re desperate.

The real highlight, if you can call it that, comes on the 24th of July, Friday. We've got a 3ft swell from the WNW, with a period of 10 to 11 seconds, and finally, a clean cross-offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 242. This is the best the forecast has to offer. The Breakwater will see some decent lines rolling in, clean and glassy from the offshore wind. Crowds are possible here, and it's an inconsistent spot, so you might have to wait for the sets, but when they come, the shape should be good. This is the day to circle on your calendar.

In summary, it’s a bleak picture until the very end. There's a solid run of no surf until we get to the 24th of July. Don't bother paddling out until then – the setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most of the time with the strong cross-onshore winds. Keep your eyes on the 24th; that’s your window.

Rusty.

Read more