The Breakwater-St Ives Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. It’s been a tricky run, but we’ve got a few moments to work with, so let’s get into it.

Right from the get-go, the outlook is a bit of a slow burner. We’re looking at The Breakwater-St Ives, a point break that’s inconsistent, but when it lines up, it’s a gem. The water is sitting at 63°, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so no wetsuit drama there.

The first real chance to paddle out comes on Saturday, the 22nd of August, but honestly, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a tiny 2 ft W swell with a 10-second period, but a cross-on NE wind at 12 mph is just chopping it all up. The combined energy is a weak 84, so it’s a no-go. The wait continues through Sunday and Monday, with the wind getting stronger and the swell staying small and messy. It’s a frustrating start.

We finally get a tiny window on Tuesday afternoon, the 25th. The swell bumps up to 2 ft from the WNW, and the wind swings offshore from the SSE at 12 mph. It’s clean, but with only 114 combined energy, it’s barely surfable. It’s a session for the longboard if you’re desperate.

Then things get a bit wild. Thursday, the 27th of August, we see a big jump in size. The morning is a mess with a risk of thunderstorms, but by the afternoon, the swell pumps up to 7 ft from the SW. The period is a short 8 seconds, though, and the wind is a cross-off 22 mph from the WSW. The combined energy jumps to 661, which is solid, but the conditions are still rated as poor. This is a big, raw swell, and with that short period, it’s going to be a lumpy, shapeless mess at a point break. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Friday the 28th is a washout. Near gale-force winds from the WNW at 31 mph and a 7 ft swell mean the ocean is a disaster zone. The combined energy is 553, but with that wind, you’re better off buying a kite.

The following Saturday, the 29th of August, we get a bit of a reprieve. The swell drops to 5 ft, and while the wind is still cross-shore, the afternoon sees a cleaner 4 ft from the W with a cross-off breeze. The energy is 144, so it’s small, but clean. It’s a session for the patient soul.

Sunday, the 30th of August, is the one to circle. The afternoon brings a solid 10 ft swell from the SW, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is a gentle 9 mph from the W, creating a slight cross-shore chop. The combined energy is a massive 1570, so there’s plenty of power. This is big, heavy, and for experts only. It’s messy, but if you’re experienced and can handle the size, it’s the biggest offering of the forecast.

The rest of the first week of September is a mix of moderate to strong winds and lumpy, cross-shore surf. The swell stays around 5 ft to 6 ft, but the wind is never kind. There’s a moment on the 3rd of September with a clean 6 ft swell from the W and a gentle offshore, but the energy is 401, and it’s just a marginal call.

The standout in the second week is Saturday, the 5th of September. The morning brings a 6 ft swell from the WNW with a long 11-second period and a cross-off wind from the SSW at 22 mph. The combined energy is 792, so it’s a solid, powerful groundswell. That long period will make for some nice, lined-up waves at this point break, but the wind is still fresh, so it won’t be glassy. It’s promising, but not a slam dunk.

Overall, don’t expect much until at least the 25th, and even then, it’s a fight. The one true standout is the massive, raw 10 ft swell on the 30th of August, but it’s a beast for experts only. The rest of the run is a waiting game.

Rusty out.

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