Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be honest right off the bat, this forecast for Californias is a tough one to swallow. We're looking at a long stretch of small, weak, and generally messy conditions. The water is a bit cooler than average for this time of year, sitting at 82°F.

The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off. From Saturday 18th July right through to the 28th, we're stuck with tiny waves, most of them under 3ft. The wind is a constant problem – onshore or cross-onshore – making it choppy and bumpy. The swell energy is next to nothing, reading between 61 and just 6 (weak energy). There's a brief moment of calm on the 23rd with glassy conditions, but the swell is a tiny 1ft. It's just not enough to get excited about. We're looking at a solid 10-day gap of poor surf.

The only glimmer of hope, and I mean the *only* one, comes right at the end of the forecast. On Wednesday morning, 29th July, we see a pulse of energy. A 4ft swell from the east with a 13-second period rolls in, bringing some moderate energy (602). The bad news is the wind is onshore from the west at 12 mph, which will ruin the face. But the swell has the right potential if the wind were to swing. That afternoon it drops to 3ft from the east-northeast with a 13-second period, and the energy eases (395). The wind is still messy, cross-onshore.

For a spot that needs a north swell to really work, this east pulse is the only thing on the cards. It's a long-shot, but it's the only shot. The rest of the window is flat, with the last few days of July and into August showing nothing but 0.7ft dribble and cross-shore winds.

If you're a beginner, stay away from the 29th, as 4ft might be a little punchy. For everyone else, this is a wait-and-see situation. The forecast can change, but right now, it's a tough run.

Rusty.

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