Trestraou Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s get into it. The outlook for Trestraou is a tough one. We’ve got a long stretch ahead with very little to get excited about, and a big gap of poor conditions before anything even remotely worth paddling out for shows up.

The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 66°F.

The first few days are a write-off. Swell is small, wind is messy, and the surf quality is poor. From Wednesday 19th August right through to the end of the following week, conditions are consistently average to poor. The wind is mostly cross or onshore, often strong, and the swell is disorganised. There’s a period from the 22nd to the 25th where the swell drops off to less than 3ft, with periods as short as 5 seconds and energy levels as low as 35 (weak). That’s a classic flat spell.

The first real glimmer comes on the morning of Wednesday 26th August. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the west, period of 9 seconds, and a light offshore wind from the SSW. The energy is moderate (343). The waves are surfable but the conditions are still just ordinary. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first time the wind is in your face, and the sets might offer a few clean lines. Crowds are possible here.

Thursday 27th August afternoon sees a bigger pulse: 8ft from the west, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1458 (strong). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. This is a solid-sized swell, but at 8ft, it’s getting into the zone where it’s only good for experienced surfers. It’s a marginal call though, with questionable tide conditions.

The real standout, if you can call it that, is in the first week of September. On Monday 31st August afternoon, we’ve got a 13ft swell from the WNW, period 11 seconds, and a massive combined energy of 3967 (very strong). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. This is a serious, powerful groundswell. For Trestraou, which is a sheltered spot, that’s a big, powerful wave. It’s one for experts only. The long period means it’ll have energy and shape, but at a beach break it might be a bit too straight. The morning of Tuesday 1st September is similar, with 12ft and 2666 energy, but with a cross-shore chop. The Wednesday 2nd September morning brings a strong offshore wind from the SSW, with 8ft swell and 874 energy. The wind is fresh and clean, but it’s a strong breeze, making paddling a fight.

Bottom line: There’s a long, disappointing gap from the start until the 26th. The best chances are from the 27th August afternoon for experienced surfers, and the big, powerful, expert-only swell of the 31st August and 1st September. That’s the one to watch, but it’s a long way out and the forecast is less certain. Don’t get your hopes up too much.

Rusty.

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