Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Californias (reef). We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a serious pulse of energy coming through mid-week that’ll get the heart rate up. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there.

The first few days are a write-off. Monday the 3rd is flat with poor conditions, so don’t even bother. Tuesday the 4th, though, things kick off proper. The morning brings a clean 4 ft easterly swell with a long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and with a gentle offshore wind from the NE, it’ll be clean. The combined energy is moderate (733). The afternoon picks up a touch to 4 ft, still clean and offshore. This is where the window opens.

Now, Wednesday the 5th is the standout. The morning delivers 7 ft of east swell, 18 seconds, and clean offshore wind. The energy jumps to strong (2587). This is excellent for experienced surfers—anything over 8 ft is only for experts, and this is right on the edge. The afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a cross-off wind, but the morning is the pick.

Thursday the 6th is for the brave. We’re looking at 12 ft to 13 ft of east swell, still with a very long period of 18-19 seconds. The energy is very strong (9487 and 10756). But the wind is a strong cross-off breeze, which will keep it a bit lumpy. This is big, powerful, and only for the experienced.

Friday the 7th, the swell direction swings to the north, and the size goes massive. 25 ft to 34 ft, but with a shorter period of 12-13 seconds. The wind is a severe gale cross-shore, and the energy is extreme (23694 and 50308). This is too big for this break, and the conditions are a mess. Saturday the 8th is even worse with hurricane-force winds and dangerous conditions. Sunday the 9th through to Tuesday the 12th is a total write-off with storm-force winds and onshore slop. The swell is all over the place, but it’s all blown out.

From Wednesday the 13th onward, the surf drops right off. We’re looking at small, weak waves under 3 ft with poor quality. There’s a slight tease on Friday the 14th with a 3 ft easterly swell and 12-second period, but the energy is weak (324) and the conditions are marginal. The rest of the period is flat and clean but not worth paddling out for.

So, the best on offer is Wednesday the 5th morning for the experienced crew, and Tuesday the 4th for a cleaner, smaller session. The big stuff on Thursday the 6th is there, but the wind is a compromise. After that, it’s a long stretch of nothing much until the 16th, which is small and cross-shore. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but for now, the window is tight.

Rusty.

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