Whistling Sands (Porth Oer) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer.

Honestly, mate, the outlook for the next couple of weeks is a bit of a poor show. That sheltered little cove at Whistling Sands (Porth Oer) is inconsistent at the best of times, and this stretch is looking bleak. There’s a long gap of nothing really worth jumping for. The first recommendation doesn't come along until late in the period. The water here is sitting at 63°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, about average all things considered.

We’re looking at a blank run for most of the first week. It’s a proper flat spell, with hardly any energy (combined energy often well under 100) and messy, choppy winds ruining the small, short-period slop that does show up. The only thing that changes is the wind direction, blowing from the WNW and W mostly, onshore or cross-onshore, churning things up. It’s not worth a paddle for ages.

Now, hold on. Things get interesting from Wednesday 9th September onwards. The buildings start. It’s still not great surf but check out Wednesday afternoon of the 9th. We see a jump in swell height to 6ft later in the morning and the combined energy hits 249 (moderate). The wind then swings cross-off from the SSW, cleaning it right up. It’s still a short-period, SW windswell at 6ft, so it’ll be a bit lumpy but the cleaning up makes it rideable. The real standout comes on the 13th and 14th September. The combined energy on Monday morning the 14th is 842 (strong) with an 8ft SW swell and a short 8-second period, but it’s firing under cross-off winds. The afternoon pushes up to 10ft, with energy at 1086 (very strong). That is serious power. However, at over 8ft, that’s for experts only, and the 8-second period will see it coming in very dumpy, not offering much shape. For the keen, Sunday morning 13th September might be the sweet spot: a 5ft SW swell (187 energy), clean and lined up under cross-off winds. That is the only one to get on the board around this period, albeit a big effort for a small window.

So overall, a long quiet spell, then a brief, punchy but very raw swell at the end. Not the best surf on offer for the area, but if you’re desperate and an expert, the 14th has the size, just don’t expect any grace to it. The light wind periods will also help, but the consistency is just not there. This kind of blank run is a bit more normal for a super-sheltered spot like this. The bigger days look more interesting for a kite surfer than a traditional paddle surfer, with that raw power and clean but short-period windswell.

— Rusty

Read more