Chadbourne Gulch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way for Chadbourne Gulch over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this isn't a classic stretch. We're looking at a lot of small to moderate pulses, and the conditions are going to be a bit of a mixed bag. The water's sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than we'd usually expect for this time of year, so don't forget a decent spring suit.

We kick off on Tuesday the 18th with a little 3ft groundswell from the SSW, with a long 16-second period giving it some real push – combined energy is moderate at 893. Winds are light offshore from the west, so it should be clean, but honestly, it's pretty marginal. The real issue is we just don't have the size or consistency for a proper session.

Wednesday the 19th sees a bump in size. The morning brings a cross-onshore wind with a 6ft NW windswell, period a short 8 seconds, but it's a bit of a mess. That cross-onshore wind is gonna put bumps on the face, so it's not going to be great. The afternoon cleans up a little with an offshore wind, but the swell is still short-period and junky. Energy is moderate (896).

Thursday the 20th drops right back down. The morning has a 3ft WNW swell with a better 12-second period, but again that cross-onshore wind ruins it. Afternoon is similar with a 3ft SSW swell and light offshore wind, but the energy is low (563). Nothing to get excited about.

Now, Friday the 21st morning is a bit of a tease. We get a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period, and for a moment, the wind goes glassy. The energy is weak (373). It's the cleanest window we've had, but there's just no power. The afternoon goes back to a bumpy 3ft cross-onshore mess.

Saturday the 22nd morning is flat and weak. But Saturday afternoon – now we're talking. The wind goes glassy again, and a 6ft NW swell rolls in. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it'll be soft and fat, but it'll be clean. Combined energy is moderate (492). It's not a standout, but it's probably the most ridable wave of the first week with no wind chop.

Sunday the 23rd offers more of the same – 5ft NW swell with a short period and a mix of offshore and cross-onshore winds. It's rideable but not special. Energy is moderate (around 520).

Monday the 24th is a curious one. We get a tiny 2ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. Energy is moderate (574). Monday afternoon the wind goes glassy again, with a 2ft S swell. These are clean but tiny. You'd need a log.

From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, the story is more of the same: small to moderate short-period NW swells (5ft to 8ft) with mostly cross-onshore winds. The bigger pulses, like 8ft on Thursday the 27th afternoon, come with a gentle cross-onshore breeze that'll make it choppy. That 8ft with a strong combined energy of 1066 is a bit of a beast, but with that wind, it's one for the experts only if you're brave enough. For most of us, that's going to be a messy closeout.

As we move into the first week of September, starting Monday the 1st, we see a small groundswell from the NW (4ft, 12-second period) with light cross-onshore winds. Energy is moderate (575). Nothing special.

The Best on Offer?
Honestly, folks, this is a tough forecast. There's no single day that screams "go." If I had to pick, I'd say Saturday afternoon, August 22nd is your best bet. The 6ft NW windswell with glassy conditions will give you the cleanest waves of the period, even if they are a bit soft. For a more powerful but challenging session, the Thursday morning, August 27th has a 6ft NW swell with moderate energy (657), but the cross-onshore wind is a real factor – it's a surfer's choice, but it's not a beginner's day. Long-range, keep an eye on Monday the 1st of September – a 4ft NW groundswell with a 12-second period and light winds might offer a clean window if the winds hold. But that's a promise, not a guarantee, this far out.

Chadbourne Gulch is a beginner-friendly spot, but with most of the bigger swells over 5ft coming with messy winds, the setup looks more interesting for a kite session than a pure paddle-surf day during the bigger pulses.

Stay patient, watch the wind.

Rusty.

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