Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, breakin' it down in feet and miles.

First up, we got a solid run starting Thursday, July 9th. Backdoor 4 is the spot, and it's lookin' prime. Water temp is about 66°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The swell is coming from the SE at a clean 6 feet, with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 841 (moderate). That's a nice, solid groundswell, and with the wind being light and cross-off in the morning, the waves should be clean and well-shaped. Afternoon turns offshore with a light breeze, keepin' things tidy. This is a very consistent reef break, and it's exposed to the swell, so it'll be handling that energy well. It's an intermediate spot, so not for total beginners, but not a death mission either. Crowds can pop up sometimes.

Friday, July 10th, keeps the goods. The morning is cross-off again with a 6-foot SE swell, but the real standout is the afternoon. The wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the south, and the swell holds at 6 feet with a 10-second period. That's gonna be clean, organized, and very user-friendly. The combined energy is still solid at 604 (moderate). This is the best on offer in the first few days.

Saturday, July 11th, the swell drops off to 3 feet and the period stretches to 12 seconds, but the wind goes cross-on and then onshore, and the quality tanks. The combined energy drops to 414 (moderate). Honestly, it's marginal at best.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday afternoon, through the whole of the next week, the surf quality plummets. Sunday the 12th has a fresh cross-shore wind and the swell is tiny. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, it's all cross-shore or onshore winds, with the swell dropping to barely a ripple. The combined energy is in the weak range (12 to 96). There's a big gap of poor or unsurfable conditions from July 11th afternoon through to July 16th.

Now, hold on to your board. On Thursday, July 16th, a massive swell arrives. We're talking 18 to 20 feet from the SSE, with a period of 10-11 seconds. The combined energy is monstrous – 6105 to 7970 (very strong). But here's the catch: the wind is a near gale, and the forecast clearly says this is too big for Backdoor 4. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it's going to be a washing machine. The same goes for Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th, with swells of 15 to 18 feet. The wind is a fresh breeze, but the size is just intimidating. The break is a reef, so it'll be handling the energy, but the sheer power will make it dangerous for pretty much everyone except the most seasoned big-wave chargers.

Sunday, July 19th, the swell starts to back off a bit to 10 to 12 feet, still very strong energy (1988 to 3008), but the wind is lighter. Still, it's going to be a beast for experts only.

The next real window of opportunity comes on Monday, July 20th. The morning is a gem. The wind is glassy, out of the northwest, and the swell is a clean 6 feet from the SE with a 10-second period. The combined energy is 772 (moderate). The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions." This is the standout for the second week. After that, the wind goes onshore for the rest of the week, choppin' up the waves.

Then, another big pulse hits on Wednesday, July 22nd, with 13 feet of swell from the SSE, but the wind is a strong cross-shore, making it a messy, lumpy mess. Again, too big for most.

Thursday and Friday, July 23rd and 24th, see 7 to 8 feet of swell, but the wind is better, though the size is still pushin' it. The energy is high (1268 to 1947), but it's borderline for the intermediate crew.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Thursday afternoon, July 9th, through Friday afternoon, July 10th, for clean, fun, intermediate surf. Then, keep an eye on Monday morning, July 20th, for a glassy, clean session. The stuff in between is either flat, blown out, or way too big. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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