Backdoor 4 Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at the outlook for Backdoor 4. It’s a reef break, pretty consistent and it exposes itself to the south swell, which it likes from the east. Don't go thinking the name means it's a walk in the park though – it’s a spot for the experienced crew.

We’re in for a bit of a slow start. The first couple of days, Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th, are a write-off with poor conditions. There’s a bit of a wait, but patience pays off. The real action starts tuning up around Sunday the 6th. The afternoon shows a clean 6 ft south swell with a solid 12-second period – that's proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is pumping at 819 (moderate to strong), and with that clean, cross-off wind, this is looking like a very good session. That energy is there, the lines will have shape.

But the standout, the one to circle on the calendar, is Tuesday the 8th of September. Now we're talking. The morning brings a chunky 8 ft south swell and a combined energy reading of 1144 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-off, and the water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year at 66°F. The swell is predicted to be too big for this break, though – that’s a serious size warning. This is expert territory only. For the pros who know this reef, the afternoon session will be even better with a 7 ft wave and a moderate offshore wind. The crowds are said to be sometimes an issue here, and on a day with surf like this, you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll be busy.

After that peak, things taper a bit. Thursday the 10th offers a very clean morning with a 3 ft south swell, but with a very long 15-second period (846 combined energy) – that long period is fantastic for a reef like this. Into the second week, the size drops right off. Friday the 11th has good clean surf in the morning with 5 ft (639 energy) and glassy conditions, a nice follow-up.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Saturday the 12th onward, the conditions turn poor or marginal for paddle surfing. The swell gets small and the wind isn't kind. There’s a 10 ft spike on Friday the 18th, but it’s coming with a nasty 19 mph onshore wind – that's blown out and lumpy, a real mess. That’s one for the kite crew if anything.

So, best on offer is Tuesday the 8th for the experienced, with Sunday the 6th afternoon and Friday the 11th morning as your solid backups. Get on it early.

Rusty.

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