Sligo Surf

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s on offer for Sligo over the next couple of weeks. It’s a slow start, but there’s some proper quality to get excited about if you can wait.

The first surfable waves don’t show up until Friday the 3rd of July, but it’s nothing to write home about. We’ve got a bit of a gap after that before things fire. The water is running much warmer than normal for this time of year, hovering around 61°F.

Friday morning the 3rd, Ballyconnell has a little 3ft west swell sneaking in. The wind is cross-off from the SSE, and the wave energy is moderate (335). It’s surfable, but it’s not a standout. The afternoon holds the same size, shifting to a northwesterly direction with a bit more energy (410), but again, it’s just okay.

There’s then a bit of a lull until Sunday the 5th. That morning, Dunmoran Strand wakes up with a 5ft swell from the west, period at 9 seconds, and cross-off winds from the SW. The combined energy is a solid moderate (698), and the waves are clean. The afternoon drops a touch to 5ft with less energy (359) and very ordinary conditions – nothing special.

The next standout window opens up on the 8th of July. Wednesday morning at Ballyconnell sees clean 4ft west swell with *glass* conditions – a light SW breeze at 5 mph, making for a perfect, smooth surface. Energy is a modest 226, but the lack of wind chop makes this a really fun, nice session.

That quiet quality continues into Thursday the 9th. Ballyconnell in the morning has 4ft west swell at 9 seconds, with light offshore wind from the SE at 3 mph. Then Thursday afternoon? Absolute magic: the wind drops to nothing – glassy, calm – with clean 4ft waves and energy building to 342. You could have that all to yourself.

Now, the true standout of the whole outlook is Friday the 10th of July. Ballyconnell is your spot. The morning brings a powerful 7ft swell from the WNW, with a long 11-second period, giving it real punch. The combined energy is a strong 1074 – this is serious groundswell. Offshore wind from the SE at 3 mph will have those waves standing up beautifully. This is excellent surf, but at that size, it’s strictly for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds, with glassy conditions from the north and even more energy (1395). This is the day.

After that big swell, things back right off. Tuesday the 14th at Dunmoran Strand has a tiny 3ft west-northwest swell, period at 8 seconds, and very ordinary conditions. Wednesday the 15th, Ballyconnell has a small 4ft west-northwest swell with glassy conditions – a nice clean paddle, but small. Back Strands that afternoon is barely a ripple at 2ft with energy only at 84. Thursday the 16th at Ballyconnell offers a final 3ft west-northwest swell, clean, but we’re winding down.

Best on offer: Friday 10th July at Ballyconnell. Big 7ft WNW groundswell, long period, and clean offshore wind. That’s the one to circle.

Rusty.

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