Pigsty - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months as the polar jet stream strengthens and deepens, dragging a conveyor belt of powerful extratropical cyclones across the Norwegian Sea. Average swell heights climb from 1.3m in October to a peak of 1.6m in January, with periods regularly pushing into the 8-9s range. The dominant swell directions – WSW, W, WNW, and NW – align perfectly with Pigsty's west-northwest exposure, delivering consistent, groomed lines. Offshore winds from the east-northeast through southeast quadrant (ONO, O, OSO, SO) occur in the wake of passing lows, often under clearing skies. Despite a relatively low ideal wind frequency (11-15%), the combination of ample swell and occasional clean windows makes this the prime window for Pigsty's pumping, heavy, and firing waves.

Fair Surf Season (April & September)

April and September represent transitional months where the clash of spring and autumn patterns yields mixed results. In April, the average swell drops to 0.9m with a period of 7.5s as the storm track weakens. However, a high percentage of swell still arrives from the optimal W-NW directions (over 50%), offering fun-sized, rippable waves on the better days. September sees a slight uptick to 1.0m and 7.1s, with the first autumn lows beginning to rekindle the Atlantic. Ideal wind frequency hovers around 9-12%, meaning patience and a keen eye on the forecast are required to catch the windows when light offshore flow aligns with solid, long-period swell.

Low Surf Season (May - August)

From May through August, Pigsty enters a deep slumber. The North Atlantic high-pressure system dominates, suppressing storm activity and delivering average swell heights of just 0.7-0.8m and periods below 7s. The majority of swell arrives from the NW and W, but at small, groveling sizes (mostly under 1.5m). Onshore winds from the west and northwest are prevalent due to thermal gradients, and ideal offshore winds become scarce (only 6% frequency in June, July, and August). While the occasional WNW groundswell might sneak in, the combination of weak, short-period swell and unfavorable wind makes this period largely one for longboarders or travelers seeking more consistent waves elsewhere.

July: The Deep Summer Lull

July is the lowest point of the year for surf at Pigsty. The average swell height is 0.7m, and the period is 6.0s. NW swell (25.4%) and WNW swell (17.3%) still dominate, but virtually all of it is under 1m – micro to groveling. The wind data reveals the crux: ideal offshore conditions are present just 6% of the time, while persistent onshore flow from the NNW (23.5%) and NW (15.9%) churns the ocean surface. The combination of weak, short-period swell and strong, onshore winds results in almost non-existent surfable waves. The occasional thunderstorm might produce a brief shift to easterly wind, but it rarely lines up with any swell. Pigsty in July is best appreciated for its scenery, not its surf. If you want to get wet, a foam board and a lot of patience are required.