Tregastel Plage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right. Let’s be straight with each other. I’ve had a good look at what’s coming up for Tregastel Plage over the next couple of weeks, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – it’s a rough patch. The whole forecast period is a write-off for a quality surf. There’s not a single recommendation in the 16-day window that I’d be excited to paddle out for.

We’re stuck with a constant barrage of onshore and cross-shore winds, mostly from the west and southwest, blowing straight across the bay. The swell is there, sure, but it’s a messy, wind-chopped affair. The wave energy ticks over from a weak 85 on the 28th of August right up to a strong 942 on the 31st, but with the wind punching it, the surface is junk.

Friday morning the 28th is a no-go. You’ve got a 2ft WNW swell at 9 seconds, but it’s being torn apart by a 12 mph cross-onshore. The combined energy is a weak 85, and the report says it’s poor. That’s just the start.

Saturday the 29th brings a bit more size – 4ft in the morning, pushing to 7ft by the afternoon – but the wind is cranking at 25 mph from the southwest. The wave energy jumps to 118 and then a massive 671, but it’s completely blown out. At that size, 7ft, with a short 8-second period and a strong cross-onshore, it’s a mess. This is more of a kite-surfing zone than a paddle-surfing spot on those days.

The middle of the first week is the same story. The 30th and 31st see consistent WNW swell between 5ft and 7ft, with the wave energy sitting in the 300 to 900 range – plenty of power – but the wind is relentless. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, but you won’t be caring about that when you’re getting blown off your board.

As we push into September, the pattern doesn’t shift. Tuesday the 1st shows a glimmer of hope with an onshore wind turning a bit lighter, but the combined energy drops to 169 and it’s still rated as poor. The waves are small and the wind is still junky.

By Monday the 7th of September, the swell is back up to 6ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, with the wave energy hitting 845. The wind finally eases to a light breeze from the WNW, but it’s still cross-onshore. The afternoon session is noted as “marginal,” which is the closest we get to a pulse of hope, but at 8ft with a short 9-second period and that wind direction, it’s still going to be a bumpy, inconsistent ride.

The standout moment, if you can call it that, is the morning of Tuesday the 8th of September. The wind swings offshore from the ESE at a light 6 mph. The swell is a clean 5ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. The wave energy is a solid 402. This is the only window where the conditions actually align for a surf. It’s a beginner-friendly size with a clean face. But don’t expect it to last – the afternoon sees the wind shift onshore again.

After that, it’s back to the junk. The rest of the second week is a repeat of onshore winds and choppy surf. The 9th and 10th of September have some cleaner-looking wind states, but the swell is small (3ft to 4ft) and the wave energy is dropping into the 100s and 200s.

The final days of the forecast, the 11th and 12th, are a sad finish. The swell is there, but the wind is back up to 19-22 mph from the west and northwest, with a combined energy of 275 to 313. It’s a classic wind-swept, blown-out closeout.

To be honest, I’d leave the board in the car for the next two weeks. If you’re dead keen, the morning of the 8th of September is your only shot – get up early for that offshore breeze and a clean 5ft wave. Otherwise, find a lake. It’s a tough watch.

Rusty

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