Bolsa Chica Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the stretch ahead for Bolsa Chica. I’ve gotta be straight with you – this is a tough run to call. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing and a whole lot of “don’t bother” in the forecast. The water is running about 75° which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only thing that’s pumping.

Looking at the first few days, there’s simply no surf worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 2nd through to Friday the 4th are all "poor surf conditions" with weak combined swell energy (318) hitting around 2 ft from the SSW. Wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. The swells are long-period (15-18 seconds), which would normally be a sign of quality groundswell, but the size is just too small and the wind is killing any chance of a clean wave.

The first hint of something happening comes Saturday morning, the 5th of September. Still only marginal, with a 3 ft SSW groundswell showing 16-second periods. The combined energy climbs to 711, so there’s a bit more push, but the wind is light onshore from the SW. It could be rideable if you’re desperate, but the score says it’s questionable even then. The afternoon looks worse as the breeze builds.

Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th see the swell nudge up to 5 ft, with combined energy hitting 952 and 810 respectively. That’s moderate wave energy, but again the wind is mostly onshore or cross-on, ruining any chance of clean faces. 5 ft is also pushing the upper limit for beginners here. It’s messy, inconsistent, and just not worth the paddle.

From Tuesday the 8th onward, it’s a slow bleed. Swell drops back below 3 ft by mid-week, and the wind stays poor. The long period surges are there, but they’re weak and short-lived. The second week is a real drag – from the 9th of September through to the 17th, we’re looking at mostly "poor surf conditions" with swell under 3 ft and onshore or cross-onshore winds. The combined energy dips to around 160-250 for most of that period – that’s weak, barely pushing any shape.

There’s no standout session in this whole 16-day window. Honestly, if you’re looking to paddle, you might be better off waiting for a change in the forecast. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most of these days, given the persistent onshore flow and small, choppy waves. Crowds at Bolsa Chica are sometimes an issue, but they won’t be a problem now – there’s nothing to crowd for.

Bottom line: a long, poor run. It tends not to stay this flat forever, but right now, leave the board in the truck.

Rusty

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