Chadbourne Gulch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Chadbourne Gulch.

Right off the bat, Thursday the 10th kicks things off with a 3ft SW swell, 17-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell, lots of energy – and combined swell energy is moderate at (835). Water temp is 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. Wind is light cross-on from the WNW, so it’s clean enough but not perfect. Wind’s light cross-onshore, so a few ripples but it’s rideable. This is a beginner-friendly spot, so that small, cleanish swell could be okay for a learner, but overall it’s pretty marginal.

Friday the 11th is much the same story: Friday morning has a 4ft SW swell, 16 seconds, with light offshore from the WNW – that’s a big positive. Light offshore wind will make for clean faces. Friday afternoon, the swell drops a touch to 3ft, still SW, 15 seconds, but wind swings to a light cross-on again.

Saturday the 12th: morning is 3ft SW, 14 seconds, light cross-on – still small. Afternoon goes downhill: 3ft SW, 14 seconds, but wind picks up to 12 mph from the NW, cross-on, and it gets choppy. Score says poor. That one’s a write-off.

Sunday the 13th: morning has a 4ft NW swell, 10 seconds – not great period – light cross-on, but it’s still choppy for the morning. Then Sunday afternoon gets messy: 7ft NW swell, short 7-second period, strong cross-on wind at 12 mph, combined energy (638). This is poor, choppy, and the swell’s getting big for a beginner spot like this. Not a good session.

Monday the 14th: morning is 7ft NW, 8 seconds, light cross-on. Still marginal. But Monday afternoon is a standout for the first week. Swell jumps to 10ft from the NW, 8-second period – that’s big, and combined energy hits (1288), which is strong. However, for Chadbourne Gulch, a 10ft swell is too big for most, and the note says the break can’t handle it. This is really for experts only, and even then, it’s a short-period NW swell, so it’ll be a bit sloppy. Wind is a gentle cross-on, so it’s not clean. This is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly.

Tuesday the 15th: morning 6ft NW, 8 seconds, light offshore – that’s better for a paddle, but still short period and only marginal. Afternoon 7ft NW, 8 seconds, light cross-on.

Wednesday the 16th: morning 5ft NW, 8 seconds, light offshore – slight improvement. Afternoon 4ft NW, 8 seconds, light cross-on.

Thursday the 17th: morning sees a new swell – 2ft S, 16 seconds – very small but long period. Light cross-on. Still marginal. But Thursday afternoon is a little gem: 2ft from the SSW, 16 seconds, and it’s glassy. Light wind, no ripples. Expect good surf conditions. That’s clean and fun for a small longboard.

Now into the second week, things settle into a nice rhythm. The best stretch is coming.

Friday the 18th: morning 2ft SW, 19 seconds – very long period – light offshore. Marginal but promising. Friday afternoon: 2ft SW, 19 seconds, glassy. Expect very good surf conditions. This is clean, long-period, small but delicious.

Saturday the 19th: Saturday morning 2ft SW, 18 seconds, glassy again. Expect very good surf. This is a true standout. Small groundswell, long period, clean as a whistle. Amazing for a longboard or a funboard. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so keep that in mind. Afternoon gets a light cross-on.

Sunday the 20th: morning 3ft SW, 18 seconds, light offshore – clean. Afternoon light cross-on but still small.

Monday the 21st: Monday afternoon is a beauty – 3ft SW, 17 seconds, glassy. Expect very good surf. Another standout window.

Tuesday the 22nd: Tuesday afternoon gets the best – 3ft SW, 16 seconds, completely glassy with zero wind. Expect very good surf. Perfect glass-off.

Wednesday the 23rd: morning jumps to 5ft NW, 10 seconds – bigger but less period. Marginal. Wednesday afternoon is back to 3ft SSW, 15 seconds, glassy – very good again.

Thursday the 24th: afternoon 3ft SSW, 14 seconds, glassy – expect very good.

Friday the 25th: afternoon 3ft SSW, 14 seconds, light cross-on – just marginal.

Overall, the best on offer is the glassy, long-period SW swells from Friday the 18th afternoon through to Tuesday the 22nd afternoon. That’s your pick. The spot is fairly consistent and has a beginner-friendly vibe, so these small clean days are perfect.

Rusty.

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