Chadbourne Gulch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming at Chadbourne Gulch over the next couple of weeks.

Overall, we’ve got swell in the water pretty much the whole time, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor. The first week has a lot of cross-onshore breeze that’ll mess up the surface, but there are a couple of golden windows where the wind dies off. The second week brings in some very long-period groundswell, but the wave heights stay small, so don’t expect a big day.

Water temp is sitting right around 55°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year – no weird anomalies here.

Starting Thursday the 9th, the morning sees a 1.1m swell from the SSW with a very long 16-second period, but a light cross-onshore breeze puts small ripples on it. Wave energy is moderate at 1051. It’s okay, but not clean. That afternoon the swell jumps to 2.4m from the NW, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds and the wind stays cross-on. That’s getting too big for beginners and the quality is nothing special.

Friday the 10th through Saturday the 11th is more of the same – NW swell from 1.9m to 2.2m, short period (7-8 seconds), and cross-onshore wind keeping things choppy. Wave energy stays moderate (792 to 832). Not your best bet.

Sunday afternoon the 12th shows a shift. The wind goes onshore but very light, and the swell is 2.3m from the NW at 8 seconds with energy at 1030. Conditions are listed as unknown, but that light wind is a good sign. The rating improves a touch.

Monday the 13th afternoon is the real standout of the first week. You’ve got a 2.1m NW swell with an 8-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That means smooth, clean faces. Wave energy is moderate at 784, but with no wind, this is the session to aim for. This is the one.

Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th bring back the cross-onshore wind. By Wednesday afternoon, the swell hits 3.5m from the NW, but with a moderate cross-onshore breeze and short period, that’s only for the experienced crew. Energy jumps to 1629 (strong). For most of us, that’s a pass.

The second week, starting Sunday the 18th and Monday the 20th, sees a switch to very long-period groundswell from the WNW and S. Swell heights stay small, around 0.9m to 1.0m, but periods reach 16 to 18 seconds. Wave energy is moderate to strong (1074, 1242, 1554). This kind of groundswell will offer better shape and longer rides, especially with light winds. Tuesday morning the 21st has a 1.7m S swell at 15 seconds with light cross-onshore wind and energy of 1554 – that’s got potential, even if the wind isn’t perfect.

Thursday the 23rd afternoon gives you a tiny 0.8m SSW groundswell at 14 seconds, but the wind goes glassy again. Energy is weak (320), but glassy conditions on that long-period swell could make for some clean little runners on a longboard.

The best call of the whole period is Monday the 13th afternoon for glassy conditions on a solid 2.1m NW swell. For the second week, keep an eye on Tuesday the 21st morning – that long-period S swell has some real promise if the wind stays light.

Chadbourne Gulch is fairly consistent, so there’s always something to go for. Stay patient.

Rusty.

Read more