Osbourne • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (September - November)

The North Atlantic begins to stir again as the calendar turns toward autumn, and Osbourne's east-southeast facing beach catches the best balance of size, period, and direction. September through November sees the favorable E-ESE-SE-SSE swell window peak near 40 percent of all wave energy, while the average swell height climbs from 4ft (1.2m) in September to 5-6ft (1.6m) by November. Water temperatures are still workable for most wetsuits, and the growing extratropical storm track, combined with the last of the tropical cyclone season, delivers the most consistent swell angles to this Canadian coastline. Offshore W/WNW/NW/NNW winds also remain plentiful during these months, especially after cold fronts push through, giving Osbourne the cleanest shape it will see all year.

Fair Surf Season (December - April)

Winter brings the largest average swells of the year, with heights hovering around 5-6ft (1.7m) and periods averaging 8.7s. However, the compass shifts toward S, SSW, and SW directions, and much of this energy is not directed optimally at Osbourne's ESE-facing shore. When the right combination of a deep Atlantic low, a negative NAO pattern, and offshore W/NW flow lines up, the spot can handle powerful winter groundswell, but the brutal air temperatures and near-freezing water temps mean thick rubber and limited patience. April offers the best directional mix of this season, with the optimal window climbing back to 38 percent, though size drops slightly.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

Summer is the low tide of the surf year at Osbourne. Average swell heights bottom out at 3-4ft (1.0-1.2m) and average periods fall to just 7.2-7.7s, leaving a mix of short-period windswell and local sea breeze drivel. Dominant SSW and SW winds are more frequent, and although the percentage of 'ideal wind' days improves dramatically by August-reaching 45 percent-the waves are largely too small and weak to light up the beach. May through August is the time for longboarders, grovelers, or day trips in search of any stray tropical pulse or local windswell to break the flat spell.