Californias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Californias.

Honestly, mate, it’s a grim start. We’ve got a massive hole of flat or junk surf stretching from Tuesday the 25th of August all the way through to Friday the 4th of September. That’s nearly a week and a half of nothing worth talking about. The wind is howling, there are thunderstorms threatening most afternoons, and what little swell shows up is either too short-period or blown to bits. The only highlight in that stretch is Tuesday afternoon on the 25th, when a big 12 ft east swell rolls in with a very long 16-second period, and a combined energy of 6395 – that’s serious power. But the wind is a strong cross-offshore at 25 mph, and the forecast flags it as marginal. For a reef break like Californias, that long-period east swell needs the wind to play nice. It’s a maybe, but not one I’d get excited over.

Then we finally get a change. Saturday the 5th of September morning is where it all comes together. We’ve got clear skies, a slight offshore breeze from the north at just 3 mph, and a clean 6 ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period. The combined energy sits at 669 – moderate but punchy. That cross-off wind and clean conditions are a major positive. The surf quality is expected to be very good. This is the standout of the whole outlook. If you’re an advanced surfer who knows this reef, that’s your session. Crowds are likely here though, so get in early.

Sunday the 6th of September keeps the run going. Morning shows a light offshore breeze from the east at 6 mph, with the same 6 ft swell but now from the NNW and a longer 11-second period. Energy is 766 – solid. That’s another very good morning with clean waves.

Monday the 7th of September sees the swell drop a little to 4 ft, but with a gentle offshore wind from the ENE, it’s still clean and rideable. Good surf, but nothing special.

After that, it fades out. By Tuesday the 8th, we’re back to small and weak.

Water temp is sitting at 84°F with only a -0.2°F anomaly – that’s pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

So, to wrap it up: don’t bother for the first week plus. The real show starts on Saturday the 5th of September morning. That’s your best bet. Sunday morning is nearly as good. Get out there and make the most of it.

Rusty.

Read more