The Breakwater-St Ives Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow start. The first real chance of a paddle isn't until Friday the 11th of September at The Breakwater-St Ives, and even then it’s only a marginal call. The water temp is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Before that, the early part of the week is pretty much a write-off.

So, Friday morning you’re looking at a 5ft swell from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. That’s a bit of a middle-of-the-road period, so the sets will be a bit fat. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the NNW, which will put a few ripples on it. Not a standout, but it’s something. The combined energy is moderate at best (372). It’s an inconsistent point break, so don’t expect a wave every minute.

The weekend doesn't look much better. Saturday has a clean 4ft to 6ft swell, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and the wind is a moderate to fresh cross-offshore from the SW. It’ll be clean, but gutless. Sunday is more of the same with a slightly longer period (10 seconds) but a cross-shore wind.

We then hit another quiet patch from Monday the 14th through to Friday the 18th. There are some clean-looking mornings on the 15th (Tuesday) with a light offshore from the south, but the swell is tiny at 4ft and the energy is weak (202). It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it. The rest of that week is dominated by onshore northerly winds that will chop it right up. Definitely a good time to check the forecast again.

Now, the standout window finally arrives. Mark your calendar for Saturday the 19th of September. The morning session looks like the pick of the fortnight. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the WNW, with a short period of 8 seconds pushing a massive amount of energy through (881). That is a powerful, punchy wave. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the WSW, keeping it clean. This is proper, expert-level stuff – it will be too much for beginners. This break is a point, so it should handle that size, but be aware that crowds are possible, as it’s a well-known spot.

Sunday the 20th has a monster to be wary of. A 10ft groundswell from the WNW with a very long period of 15 seconds. The energy is absolutely cranking at 3959. The wind is light cross-onshore. For a point break, that long period is actually a good thing – it'll wrap in nicely. But at 10ft, this is for the brave or the foolhardy. It could be epic if you’re in the right spot, but it is a serious step up from Saturday.

After that, the swell drops back. Monday the 21st has a clean 5ft swell from the west with a 12-second period (736 energy), offering a good drop in size from the weekend’s power. It’s a moderate cross-offshore breeze. A solid option for the intermediates. The rest of the week fades into smaller, weaker swell with cross-offshore winds from the east.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The best bet by a mile is the morning of Saturday the 19th of September for size and power. The Sunday the 20th is for the big-wave crew only. Get after it.

Rusty.

Read more