Surf Report for the weekend of the 17th and 18th of February
From next week the surf reports will be linking to my website as more and more people have been asking for reports as they are not users of Facebook so I will still post here and on other platforms with a link to the report going forward but the website will have the report. Check Surfimprovers.ie each week now going forward for reports.
East Coast
It is looking like there is going to be some wind driven swell up the channel for waves in Wicklow but these should be small weak waves as they are wind driven with only a 5 or 6 second period which should be enough for 2ft conditions with moderate to strong southerly winds. Sunday looks small to flat with light offshore winds.
South Coast
Conditions are looking small and onshore for Tramore on Saturday as the winds are blowing moderate to strong from the south with the best conditions on Saturday late afternoon when the winds will drop off but still be onshore. This means that conditions during the day will vary from 2ft in the morning up to 3-4ft blown onshore before dropping back to 2-3ft but it will be bumpy as the winds are blowing onshore all day. Sunday drops back to 1-2ft with light cross shore breezes from the west.
South West
Conditions in Garretstown are looking blown out on Saturday with the waves in around the 3-4ft zone with bigger sets in between due to the large 19 second period with the winds blowing directly onshore making for messy white water. Sunday sees the winds still blowing from the west and south west but with the waves jumping in size to 5-6ft with bigger waves on sets with the larger 14 second period. This will mean chunkier heavier waves that will fair better in the light onshore conditions. Winds look lightest in the middle of the day. Inch Beach in Kerry is showing that it is going to be chunky and probably maxing out with the large 17-20 second period on Saturday and solid 12ft at 14 seconds Sunday so I would recommend giving it a miss and checking for spots that will kill off some of the swell size. Winds are from the south west on Saturday and same for Sunday so possibly check some of the more shelter spots on the north of the peninsula that may get some swell wrapping in.
West Coast
Lahinch is looking like it is going to start off with offshore winds in the morning with waves in the 6ft plus range and then this turns to winds from the south and the swell looks to jump in line with the winds picking up. It is showing waves well overhead with a large 17-21 second period which should bring some large volume waves which may be out of the improvers range bringing conditions into the experienced surfers only range so I would ask that everyone exercise caution as big period waves can offer big lulls between sets where all can appear calm before large sets roll in bringing big volumes of water. Sunday looks to go onshore with waves that are very big and should not be undertaken unless experienced in conditions double overhead. Tides are high at 11am Saturday so allow 2 hours either side for safe access and exit and Sunday should be avoided at all times.
North West
Strandhill is showing some big period conditions also which should bring about some chunky conditions with the forecast for 5-8ft conditions but these waves should have much more volume which will make them harder to duck dive or turtle roll. Unless you have experience in these conditions, I would opt for more sheltered spots such as Enniscrone or Streedagh which could have some more normal conditions of 2-3ft with random bigger sets in between. Sunday in Strandhill is looking like it will be well overhead with a good 15 second period so only for the experienced surfers out there with light winds. Streedagh or Rossnowlagh will offer some good head high conditions on Sunday with light winds. Tullan should have 4-6ft conditions on Saturday with moderate cross shore winds with Sunday pushing Tullan possibly past its maxing out point with light cross onshore winds so Rossnowlagh would probably offer more for improvers.
North Coast
Despite the small figures that are showing for East Strand the bigger period may bring some nice waves to the north coast with 2-3ft conditions with the 20 second period could jump to 3-5ft conditions with moderate offshore winds. Sunday looks like a much better shout for East Strand with 3-4ft conditions and light offshore winds all day.
Caution: Bigger period swells being about a greater volume of water in the waves and can even enlarge the size of the waves as they break as there is a lot more water in the wave meaning that it will dump with much greater force which can often snap boards and hurt bodies so caution should always be exercised. If in doubt, don’t go out.
Surf Safe and Enjoy,
Col,
Surf Improvers