Backdoor Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty.

Let's be straight with each other: looking at the next 16 days from Monday the 17th of August, the only spot we have to talk about is Backdoor, and it's not much of a story. We're looking at a long stretch of what can only be called poor surf conditions, with nothing really to grab onto.

Starting Monday afternoon, we’re stuck with tiny, weak waves measuring 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft. The water temp is 80°, which is about normal for the time of year. The wave energy is laughably low, sitting in the teens and twenties – there's simply no power behind it. By Saturday morning the 22nd, energy climbs to 117 with a 2 ft west swell, but the condition is still poor. On Sunday the 23rd, we see a bump to 3 ft from the WNW with energy hitting 168 (moderate), but winds are blowing a stiff 19 mph cross-off, making it messy.

Even on the best-looking day, Wednesday morning the 26th of August, the swell is only 0.7 ft with energy at 32. It's just not enough. The whole run is dominated by persistent cross-off winds from the east, mostly in the 12 to 19 mph range, which is a real bummer. Given the tiny waves and constant wind, this setup screams kite surfing more than paddle surfing.

If you're really itching to get wet, keep an eye on Monday the 31st of August. That's when the strongest energy of the whole run shows up at 133, with 1 ft of WNW swell. The period is 15 seconds—a very long groundswell—which could bring a few clean, lined-up waves to the reef at Backdoor. But with 19 mph cross-off winds, it'll still be a scrap. That's your best, but it's a long way off and far from a sure thing.

Plain and simple: the first week is a total bust, and the second week offers only a tiny hope. It’s a quiet period, so don't push it.

Rusty.

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