Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s shaking for the next couple of weeks.

The surf is already running at Backdoor 4, and we’ve got a solid run of waves ahead. The pattern starts with a clean, workable swell and builds into a big, powerful, and potentially dangerous swell event early next week, before settling down again.

Friday, July 24th kicks things off with a decent 6ft south swell. The energy is moderate (623) and it’s a 10-second period. Friday morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, but it’s a bit of a struggle to find a good one. The afternoon session is the pick of the day with the wind dropping to a light breeze, making for very good surf conditions.

Saturday, July 25th is a mixed bag. The morning is messy with a light cross-onshore wind, so it’s a bit of a write-off. But look at the afternoon – glassy conditions! The swell is still there at 5ft from the south, and with that kind of clean surface, it’s a great time to be out. The water temp is about 65°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s not a shock to the system.

Sunday, July 26th keeps the good times rolling. Moderate energy (707) and a 6ft south swell with a longer 11-second period. Both the morning and afternoon are clean and very good. The longer period will give the waves a bit more punch and shape.

Monday, July 27th starts with a gift: glassy conditions and a 4ft south swell. It’s a smaller day, but the morning is clean and fun. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-shore bump, so the morning is your window.

Then we hit a lull. Tuesday, July 28th through Wednesday, July 30th is mostly flat or poor. The swell drops to almost nothing, and the wind is not your friend. There’s a brief spike on Thursday the 30th with a 4ft SSE swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s not going to have much push. Not worth chasing.

Friday, July 31st is a nice return to form. A 3ft south swell with a solid 11-second period and clean wind. The energy is moderate (247). Both morning and afternoon are good, with the afternoon offering a light offshore breeze for some clean lines.

Saturday, August 1st is back to small, ordinary conditions. The waves are there but they’re weak.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday, August 2nd and Monday, August 3rd are not for the faint of heart. A massive swell rolls in. The combined energy on Sunday is a monstrous 5159, with a 15ft south swell, and it’s only going to get bigger into the afternoon. This is well over 8ft, so it’s expert territory only. If you’re not a pro, stay out of the water and watch from the shore. The wind is offshore and glassy, which is a rare combination, but the size is the dominant factor. This is a true standout for the big wave chargers.

The swell stays big and powerful through Monday, August 3rd (10ft, 1380 energy) and Tuesday, August 4th, but it’s dropping. By Thursday, August 6th afternoon, the swell has settled to a more manageable 5ft, but it’s a long-period groundswell at 14 seconds with a clean cross-off wind. This is an excellent window for experienced surfers, as the longer period will make the waves stand up and offer some proper rides.

Friday, August 7th is still a big swell event, with the wind and tide favorable but the size (7ft to 8ft) still pushing it into expert-only territory.

Finally, Saturday, August 8th brings the session back to a more relaxed level. A 4ft ESE swell (11-second period) with a light cross-off wind. The energy is 423, so it’s a solid, fun wave to finish the run.

The Best on Offer: If you’re an expert, Sunday, August 2nd and Monday, August 3rd are the heavy-hitter events. For the rest of us, the standout windows are the glassy afternoon on Saturday, July 25th, and the excellent, long-period swell on Thursday, August 6th afternoon.

Rusty.

Read more