Kilcummin

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during October, and by the time winter arrives the coastline around Kilcummin is in full battle mode. The average swell height climbs from 1.4m (4-5ft) in October to 1.8-1.9m (6ft) in January and February, while average wave periods sit firmly in the 11-13s band - powerful, long-period groundswell generated by a parade of extratropical cyclones crossing the Atlantic. When the jet stream is active and the NAO runs positive, deep lows track toward the British Isles and send a constant supply of W-WNW and NW swell into this north-facing shore. The critical ingredient is offshore wind from the south. S, SSW and SW winds blow directly offshore, and the data shows ideal-wind statistics of 34-38 per cent through this window. On those days, long-period lines wrap and refract into the bay and produce clean, hollow, winter peaks. It is cold and raw - water temps hover around 8-9°C, air around 7°C - but this is the beating heart of the Kilcummin surf year.