Whitsand Bay and Tregantle Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you, it’s a bit of a tough watch for Whitsand Bay and Tregantle. We’ve got a long, bleak stretch ahead before anything remotely decent shows its face. The first week is a write-off, I’m afraid, with poor conditions day after day. The water is sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, but that’s about the only comfort.

We kick off Thursday 27th August with a small 2ft SW swell, but it’s got a short period and a messy cross-onshore wind. It’s just not happening. That theme continues right through until the end of the first week. We get a big pulse of energy on Saturday 29th August, with a combined swell energy of 1647 (that’s strong, lads), pushing 10ft from the SW, but a strong cross-onshore wind is going to have it blown out and messy. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. By Monday 1st September, we’re down to tiny dribbles of 1ft. It’s flat, it’s choppy, it’s frustrating.

There’s a gap of several days with absolutely nothing to recommend. Then, we finally get a flicker of hope on Monday 7th September. The morning shows a 6ft swell (WSW) with a combined energy of 256 (moderate), and the wind swings around to a light cross-shore from the NW. The notes say it’s light and clean enough for a cross-shore setup, but the overall quality is still called ‘marginal’. It’s not a standout, just the least bad of a bad bunch. For an exposed spot like this, that light wind is still a positive, but don’t expect perfection.

The best looking session of this whole forecast comes later on, on Friday 11th September. Now, this is a long-range call so it’s promising but less certain. The morning shows a 4ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the NNW (28 mph), and combined energy of 111. The afternoon gets even better with a 5ft SW swell, same clean cross-offshore wind, and energy jumping to 327. That’s moderate energy, clean conditions, and a solid head-high wave. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a short period wind swell, not a groundswell, but clean is clean. Whitsand Bay likes a SW swell, and when the wind is right, it’s a long, forgiving wave perfect for beginners and up. Just be aware the crowds are listed as often, so expect company if it’s pumping.

In short, don’t bother this week. Wait it out for that Monday 7th September window if you’re desperate, but pin your hopes on that Friday 11th September for the real chance at a good one.

Rusty.

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