Boulders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Well, grab a coffee and sit down, because this is going to be a long wait. The next 16 days are looking tough for a paddle at Boulders. I’ve scanned the entire run, and honestly, the first solid chance for a decent wave doesn’t show up until Thursday, July 23rd. Before that, we’re staring down a long dry spell.

From Tuesday the 14th right through to Wednesday the 22nd, it’s basically a write-off. The wind is relentless – strong cross-onshore and cross-shore breezes just wrecking the surface. We’re looking at a big, powerful swell pumping in there, with combined wave energy hitting strong values (over 1000, even hitting 2837 at one point), but it’s all wind-slop. A lot of that swell is coming from the SE, and when the period drops to a short 7 or 8 seconds, it’s just messy, lumpy junk. Not worth a second look for surfing. The water temp is sitting about 82°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so at least you won't freeze while you’re watching the chop.

Now, on Thursday, July 23rd, things finally shift. The wind goes offshore and light from the North in the morning, and while the swell is only around 5ft, it’s a little clean. The wave energy drops right back (726). It’s only a marginal call, but it’s our first real chance for a few grovelly ones. The afternoon sees a cross-shore wind and a slightly bigger 6ft swell, but still just fair.

Friday, July 24th is probably the only standout in the whole run. The morning starts clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and a tiny but long-period 2ft S swell (18 seconds), which is a proper groundswell. That long period will wrap into the reef nicely, but the size means only a longboard or a high-performance fish will get going. The afternoon is the pick of the bunch – a moderate offshore from the NNE, a cleaner 4ft SSE swell at 10 seconds, and the combined energy (720) is moderate. This is the session to circle on your calendar. The wind will have the place looking like glass.

The weekend of the 26th and 27th of July goes quiet again with onshore winds and small, weak 4ft to 6ft swell. By Tuesday the 28th, the cross-onshore wind picks back up, and we’re back to choppy, messy conditions. A little long-period SW groundswell (15 seconds) shows up on the 29th, but again the wind is lumpy.

So, to be straight with you, this is a lean spell. The only real bright spot is the Thursday 23rd and especially the Friday 24th of July. Get out there Friday afternoon if you can – that’s your window for clean, offshore lines at Boulders. Beyond that, you’re waiting for the forecasts to change.

Rusty

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