The Breakwater-St Ives Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it’s a bit of a slow burn. The first proper nod for a surf comes on Friday the 21st of August, but honestly, it’s a write-off. We’re looking at The Breakwater-St Ives, a point break that’s inconsistent, and it’s showing a weak 3ft swell from the west with a short 9-second period, but it’s ruined by a strong onshore wind from the NNW at 16 mph. The combined swell energy is only 206, so it’s weak, and the water temp is about average for the time of year at 63°. There’s really nothing to get excited about there.

From Saturday the 22nd right through to Monday the 31st of August, it’s a long stretch of poor or marginal conditions. The swell stays tiny, often under 2ft or jumps up a bit, but the winds are all over the place, mostly cross or cross-onshore, or just too strong. The only real change comes on Tuesday the 25th of August when we get a clean window with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 1ft to 2ft. It’s clean but too weak to bother with.

Now, the most promising window starts to show up from around Saturday the 29th of August. The size picks up, and the winds start to favour us. The real standout, if you’re patient, is on Thursday the 27th of August. The swell jumps to 6ft from the WNW, with a combined energy of 469 (moderate), and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WSW at 28 mph. It’s a strong breeze, but it’s clean. That 6ft is a bit too much for beginners, but it’s a solid intermediate size. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s windswell, but it’ll be powerful enough.

Another good shout is on Sunday the 30th of August and Monday the 31st of August. We’re seeing a consistent 7ft to 8ft swell from the WSW to W, with combined energies over 500, so it’s moderate to strong. The wind is a cross-offshore from the SW at 12 mph, keeping things clean. The period is still short at 8 seconds, but at that size, The Breakwater-St Ives will start to produce some fun, punchy waves. Keep in mind it’s an inconsistent spot, so you might have to wait for the sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it.

After that, the first few days of September look messy again. Tuesday the 1st of September has a 7ft swell but with onshore or cross-winds, making it choppy. There is a tiny window on Friday the 4th of September with a 5ft to 5ft swell from the W and a clean cross-offshore breeze, which is worth a look if you’re desperate.

The best call of the whole 16-day run? I’d have to say the late August push, specifically Thursday the 27th of August afternoon and that weekend (29th to 30th of August). Solid 6ft to 7ft swell from the west-northwest, clean winds, and while it’s a bit hefty for the groms, it’s going to be the most consistent and powerful we see. Get on it.

Rusty.

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