Thurso East Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks here at Thurso East. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but we've got a proper standout to aim for if you're patient.

The forecast kicks off with some very ordinary, small surf. Thursday the 27th morning has a small 2ft W swell, period of 10 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the SE. The water's 57°, which is about average for the time of year. It's surfable, but it's not going to get the heart racing. The combined energy is weak at just 68. After that, things go pretty quiet and mostly messy for several days. Friday and Saturday offer tiny, poor-quality waves with choppy cross-onshore winds. There's a slight lift on Sunday the 30th with a 5ft NNW swell and a clean offshore wind, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the conditions still aren't rated as good. The energy is moderate at 214, but the overall quality just isn't there.

From Monday the 31st through to Friday the 4th of September, it's a frustrating run. We see a bit of size here and there, but it's consistently blown out by onshore winds. The standout from this period is the afternoon of Friday the 4th, where we get an 8ft W swell with a 12-second period (groundswell). That's a lot of water, but it's accompanied by a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore wind, making it a choppy, lumpy mess. The wave energy is very strong at 1770, but for paddling in, it's a no-go. This setup is more interesting for the kite surfers than for us with paddles. Saturday the 5th is similarly large and blown out.

Now, here's the one we've been waiting for. Sunday, September the 6th morning, is the true standout. The morning shows a solid 10ft W swell with a 9-second period. The kicker is a light to moderate offshore wind from the SE, which will groom that face. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers, and with a combined energy of 1342 it's got serious power. This is a big, powerful wave at a point break. The optimum swell direction for Thurso East is NNW, so this W swell is a little off that perfect angle, but with that offshore wind, it's going to be clean and hollow. This is one for the experts only—it's too big for beginners, and even competent surfers will need their wits about them.

After that big Sunday, Monday the 7th is still fairly hefty with a 7ft WNW swell, but the wind is a cleaner cross-offshore. It's a step down in quality, but still worth a look if you missed the main event. The rest of the second week into the 11th sees a steady decline in size and quality, with more onshore winds and dropping energy levels. It looks like it's back to flat and poor after that Sunday peak.

So, to sum it up: there is very little of interest until that Sunday, September the 6th. That morning, with the 10ft W swell and the SE offshore wind, is the day. It's powerful and clean, but expert territory only. The rest of the run is either too small, too messy, or too blown out to bother with. Get your rest in before that date.

Rusty.

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