Black Middens Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let me tell you straight up: it’s a flat, frustrating stretch ahead. We’re looking at a solid two-week dry spell with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The only surf break on the radar is Black Middens, a sheltered reef and river spot that rarely breaks and is inconsistent at the best of times. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of those times.

Right now and through most of the first week, the energy is pathetic. Friday the 3rd gives us a modest 3ft from the north, but the period is a messy 9 seconds and there’s cross-shore wind chopping it up. The combined energy is weak (96). It’s poor surf, not worth wetting a wetsuit. Saturday through Thursday the 10th sees the swell drop to knee-high or less—1ft to 2ft—with periods as short as 3 seconds, and winds stay cross or cross-on. Combined energy rarely cracks double digits. There’s a brief moment of glass on Wednesday morning the 8th with a tiny 1ft north-east swell, but again, energy is just 12 and the swell is too small to break cleanly on this sheltered setup.

The second week doesn’t get much better. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th offer the only glimmers: Saturday morning goes glassy with a tiny 1ft south-east swell (energy 15), and Sunday morning the 12th brings offshore wind from the north-northeast with a 0.7ft 9-second north-northeast swell (energy 16). That’s the best we’ve got, but we’re talking about shin-high waves that’ll be hard to catch. By Tuesday the 14th morning, it’s glassy with a 2ft north-northeast swell, period 6 seconds, and energy climbing to 33—still too weak for a proper ride.

The only standout in this whole 16-day run is the very tail end: Saturday morning the 18th. Swell jumps to 5ft from the north-northeast with a 7-second period, and combined energy hits 231 (moderate wave energy). That’s actually meaningful size. But the wind is onshore from the south at 9 mph, and the direction is onshore. The wave comment still says “poor surf conditions.” It’s a rare moment of real swell, but the quality will be chopped and messy. For a spot that rarely breaks and is sheltered, this might be one to skip unless you’re desperate for a paddle.

Black Middens never sees a decent offshore wind window with size. The water temp is about average for the time of year. Crowds are possible since it’s a known spot, but honestly, with no surf for two weeks, nobody will be out. If you’re a beginner, stay away when it’s over 5ft, but here even the 5ft on the 18th comes with poor conditions, so don’t bother.

That’s the picture. A long, dull run. Sometimes these flat spells are normal for the area, and forecasts can change, so don’t lose hope. For now, leave the board in the rack.

Rusty.

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