Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the cards for Californias over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a slow start, but hang in there – a couple of days are going to fire up proper.

Right now, Friday the 21st of August through to Monday the 24th is a complete write-off. We're looking at a risk of thunderstorms and strong cross-off winds ripping in at 22 to 25 mph. There's just no swell on offer, with the combined energy flat out at zero. Absolutely nothing for the paddle board. For nearly four days straight, the Pacific is just flat and messy. Don't bother.

But Tuesday the 25th of August kicks into life, and it is a standout. We get a solid 8 ft east swell with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is a thumping 4182, so you're feeling that deep water power. Winds are gentle from the ENE and offshore, which will have the lineup glassy and clean. Now, this is a reef break at Californias, and with that east direction matching the optimum, it should line up properly. The offshore wind really seals the deal here. Just a heads up – at 8 ft, this one is strictly for advanced crew. The current is real and the sets have serious weight. It's a fairly consistent spot, so you'll get your share, but it can be crowded (often), so expect company. This is the best session in the window, no question.

Wednesday the 26th of August is another absolute barn burner, but for a different crowd. The morning pushes 12 ft from the NNW with an 11-second period, and the combined energy rockets to 5353. The afternoon is a 16 ft beast from the WNW. This is huge, thick, expert-only territory. The wind stays light, so the surface will be smooth, but those waves are heavy and unforgiving. This is not beginner or intermediate territory.

Thursday the 27th sees the swell drop off sharply to a tiny 2 ft, so a rest day. Friday the 28th picks up a bit with a 5 ft west swell and offshore winds, but only 2/10 quality, so nothing special.

Then we hit a long dry spell. From Saturday the 29th of August right through until around Tuesday the 1st of September, it's almost all zeros – flat and blown out. That's about four days of no surf to speak of.

Finally, around Tuesday the 1st of September, we see a return of east swell at 3 ft to 4 ft with a long 14-second period. Combined energy sits at 388-478, so it's low energy but clean with moderate offshore winds. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary. Expect some clean, small waves for the longboard. The rest of the first week of September stays in the 3 ft to 5 ft range but with cross-off winds and marginal tide conditions, so nothing to get overly excited about by that point.

To wrap it up – the clear standouts are Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th of August. Tuesday is the pick for experienced surfers who want a clean, powerful east swell with glassy morning conditions. Wednesday is the big-wave, expert-only day with epic power. Everything else is pretty underwhelming.

Rusty.

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