Chadbourne Gulch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Alright, straight up – this is a quiet stretch for a while. The first week and a half is pretty lifeless, with only small, weak pulses and mostly cross-onshore winds or light breezes mucking things up. The water temp is sitting at 60°F, which is about 2°F warmer than average for this time of year – nothing crazy, but a touch on the mild side.

The first day that catches my eye is Monday, September 14th, but don’t get too excited. Thursday morning, September 10th, actually has a little more energy with a 3ft SSW swell at 17 seconds and a moderate energy reading of 771. Winds are light and offshore from the WNW, so it’s worth a paddle if you’re keen on a clean, small wave. That long period (17s) means it’s a proper groundswell, so the Gulch’s setup might handle it, but don’t expect barrels.

The real standout, the one that’s got my heart pumping, is Tuesday, September 22nd. The afternoon session is looking glassy with wind from the NW at 5 km/h (3 mph), and we’ve got a 8ft WNW swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is 2269 – that’s strong, solid stuff. This is expert-only territory, over 8ft, with a long period for a point-style setup. The morning of the 22nd shows 6ft with a WNW swell at 11 seconds and light offshore winds, and energy at 1554 – also a good option for strong intermediate surfers. But the glassy afternoon is the gem. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so you might have company, but with that level of quality, it’s worth it.

Before that, Sunday, September 20th, has a morning glass-off with WSW wind at 5 km/h (3 mph), and a 3ft SW swell at 19 seconds, energy at 628. That’s a clean, fun-sized wave if you want a smaller session. The rest of the forecast is a drag – lots of days with marginal conditions, poor surf, or choppy winds. The period from September 7th to the 13th is mostly a washout, with only tiny, short-period junk.

So, if you’re patient, the 14th onwards gets a little better, but the 22nd is the clear winner. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but this one’s for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

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