Bridges Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight: the next 16 days are pretty much a flat spell for my area. I’m looking at the charts and there’s just nothing doing. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until July 27th, and even then it’s a tough sell.

The first chance to get wet is on Monday, July 27th, at Bridges. This is a sheltered point break that’s inconsistent as they come, so it’s not a spot you can bank on. The water temp is sitting at 84°, which is about 0.9° above average for this time of year — nothing crazy, just a touch warm. That afternoon, we’re looking at a tiny 2 ft swell from the NE, with a short period of 5 seconds. The wind is glassy, ENE at 3 mph, so the surface will be clean. But the combined energy is a weak 11, and the wave comment is “poor surf conditions.” Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for.

Tuesday, July 28th, is even smaller — 1 ft in the morning, glassy, but again, poor surf. The afternoon goes flat with a cross-shore wind. Same story for Wednesday the 29th: morning glassy with 2 ft, then the afternoon kicks up a bit of cross-offshore breeze at 16 mph, giving us 3 ft from the NE. The energy climbs to 77, but it’s still poor surf. Not a standout.

Thursday the 30th has a small bump in the afternoon: 4 ft from the NE, period 7 seconds, with a cross-offshore breeze at 12 mph. The combined energy hits 112 (moderate), but the wave quality is still poor. Then Friday the 31st goes completely flat, with moderate rain and no surf.

Saturday, August 1st, is glassy in the morning with 2 ft, but poor conditions. The afternoon sees 3 ft from the NE, still poor. Sunday the 2nd is tiny — 1 ft in the morning, then a 0.3 ft from the NW in the afternoon. That’s about as close to flat as it gets.

Monday, August 3rd, stays small and poor. Tuesday the 4th is flat again. Wednesday, August 5th, has a tiny 0.3 ft swell in the morning with a very long period of 12 seconds, but the energy is only 6. The afternoon gets glassy with 2 ft, but still poor. And here’s the thing: a long period swell like that on a beach setup can break too straight — it’s best at a point like Bridges, but there’s just not enough size.

Thursday, August 6th, is glassy with 1 ft in the morning, then a bit of NE wind in the afternoon. Friday, August 7th, has a small bump in the afternoon: 3 ft from the NE, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy hits 118 (moderate). The wind is cross-offshore at 12 mph, so the surface is clean. But again, the wave comment says poor surf.

Saturday, August 8th, is flat. Sunday the 9th picks up a little in the afternoon: 4 ft from the NE, period 6 seconds, energy 98. Still poor. Monday, August 10th, has the biggest swell of the whole period: 4 ft from the NE in the afternoon, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 149 (moderate). The wind is cross-offshore at 12 mph. But even that is coming in as “poor surf conditions.” It’s just not breaking well here.

Tuesday, August 11th, fades back to tiny.

So here’s the deal: the only name in the game is Bridges, and it’s a spot that rarely sees a good day. The swell is too small and too weak, and the direction is from the NE, not the optimum NW that this point really needs. There’s nothing that stands out as a true winner. If you’re desperate for a paddle, maybe the glassy mornings of July 27th or August 1st give you a clean, tiny wave, but don’t expect much. The best call? Wait for a better forecast. This run is a blank.

Rusty

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