Backdoor Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, grab a coffee, this is gonna be a long one. To be straight with you, the next 16 days look grim for a paddle. I'm looking at Backdoor, and it's a tough run. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're sitting there getting frustrated.

Kicking off Sunday the 19th, we've got a tiny 1 ft WNW swell with a 12-second period, but the ENE wind is 16 mph and cross-offshore. The combined energy is a measly 29. It's clean, but there's just no push. The score is a zero. This flat spell hangs around, with nothing but tiny dribbles and zeros right through the week. Monday the 20th sees 0.7 ft, and Tuesday through Thursday are completely flat – zero swell energy. Friday the 24th teases with a 0.7 ft NNW swell, but it's a 9-second period and the energy is only 7. It's a total write-off. We're looking at a solid 5-day gap with nothing to recommend.

Then, finally, a pulse shows up. Sunday the 26th of July, the swell jumps to 6 ft from the NE. That's a big jump, but it's short period at 8 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 423, which is moderate wave energy. It's clean with the cross-offshore wind, but the score only gets a 1 out of 10, flagged as marginal. The swell is over 5 ft, so it's edging out of beginner territory. Monday the 27th is similar, with 5 ft NE swell and 276 energy. Again, the score is a 1. It's in the water, but it's not lining up well.

The second week is a bit of a mixed bag, but still not brilliant. Tuesday the 28th drops to 3 ft, and by the afternoon the wind goes cross-shore, creating a chop. Thursday the 30th is light wind at 6 mph, but the swell is only 3 ft. The standout in this whole period is actually Friday the 31st of July. We get a 4 ft NE swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 331. It's still a marginal call (score of 1), but the 10-second period is better than the 8-second stuff from the week before. The wind is 12 mph cross-offshore, keeping it clean. This is the best on offer, but it's a long way off and not a guarantee.

So, for the here and now, don't bother. The first real chance is that Sunday the 26th pulse, but it's short-period and marginal. The best bet is to pencil in Friday the 31st for a look, but don't get your hopes up. It's going to be a tough two weeks.

Rusty.

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