Centers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey there, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk surf.

Overall, this forecast is a long stretch of meh, with only a couple of moments that might get you out of bed. The first real chance doesn’t show until Wednesday August 12th, and even then it’s nothing to get too excited about. Most of the next two weeks is marginal or poor, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

Wednesday morning at Centers (reef) has a 3ft south swell (S) rolling in with a long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell with a solid energy reading (951), and the water temp is about 80°F, which is normal for this time of year. The wind is a cross-off 12 mph easterly, keeping the surface glassy. It’s a beginner-friendly spot and fairly consistent, though you might see a few others out. That long period means the waves will have good shape and power, and on a reef it should line up nicely. It’s the best bet early on, but the overall quality is still just so-so.

Wednesday afternoon gets a little better – a 4ft south swell, still 18 seconds, energy up to 1052. The wind picks up to 15 mph from the ENE, still cross-off, so clean. This is the standout of the whole run – small but groomed, with enough push for a fun session on a forgiving reef.

From Thursday August 13th, things slide. Thursday morning has a 4ft south swell (16 secs, energy 1045) but wind is 15 mph, cross-off. Thursday afternoon drops to 4ft with a shorter 15-second period and a fresh 18 mph breeze – getting choppy. Friday August 14th is smaller and windier – not worth it.

Saturday August 15th is odd. Morning has a weak 3ft south swell with rain and fresh wind – poor. Afternoon flips to a 8ft east swell (9-second period) – that’s a short-period, wind-affected pulse with high energy (1169), but the short period means messy, weak waves. The wind is cross-off 18 mph, so it’s clean-ish, but the quality is poor. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, especially with that breeze.

Sunday August 16th is a no-go. Morning has a tiny 2ft south swell with thunderstorms and a strong 25 mph wind. Afternoon sees a massive 15ft east swell (10 secs) with crazy energy (3873), but it’s accompanied by 28 mph winds and storms – that’s for experts only and the wind will ruin it. Stay home.

From Monday August 17th onward, the swell shrinks to tiny – mostly 1ft to 4ft south or SSW swells with moderate cross-off winds. Energy is low to moderate (177 to 836). The waves are clean but weak. The best of this tail-end is around Sunday August 23rd and Monday August 24th, when a 3ft to 4ft SSW swell (15–16 secs) offers a bit of long-period shape, but the energy is still moderate. It’s marginal, but if you’re keen, you might find a fun little wave at the reef with clean conditions and no crowds.

The gap between the last decent wave (Wednesday August 12th afternoon) and the next faint pulse (Sunday August 23rd) is over a week of mostly poor surf. That’s a long dry spell. The break is fairly consistent, so this blank run is a bit unusual – forecasts can change, so don’t write it off entirely.

Rusty.

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