D and W Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Lookin' at the cards for the next couple of weeks, and I gotta be straight with you – it's a lean spell. There's a big ol' gap of quiet water right off the bat, so don't bother paddlin' out for a few days. The first real chance to wet a line comes on Tuesday the 12th, but even then it's gonna be a struggle.

The first couple of days of the run are a real tease. Tuesday the 11th has a tiny 1.3ft SW groundswell rolling in with a long 15-second period, but the wind is straight onshore at 12 mph. The combined energy is a weak 100, and the water's a balmy 71.6° – that's more than 5.4° warmer than usual for this time of year, so the fish might be happy, but we won't be. Wednesday the 12th is much the same story: a bit more size at 1.6ft to 2.0ft, still from the SW, with a very long 16-17 second period, but the wind stays onshore. The energy picks up a touch (169 to 214), but it's all messy.

Thursday the 13th through the 15th is more of the same cross-onshore nonsense with tiny, weak swells. Honestly, the only thing worth noting is that on the 15th, the swell period drops to a pathetic 4-5 seconds – that's just wind slop. This entire first week is a write-off. The setup is a beach/jetty, and with these onshore winds and lack of any real power, it's looking more appealing for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

Now, let's look ahead because there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. After a long stretch of nothing, we see a new pulse of long-period SW groundswell arriving around the 21st of August. The heights are still tiny, only 1.0ft, but the period is a very long 18 seconds. The energy is modest (69-85), but the wind is light and onshore. It's still not great, but it's a sign of life.

The real standout, the one that catches my eye, is a couple of days later. On the morning of Sunday the 24th of August, we see a 2.0ft SW groundswell with that same gorgeous 18-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 200. The real kicker? The wind is light and onshore from the SW. For a sheltered spot like D and W (beach/jetty), a light onshore is often the cleanest it gets, grooming the swell. The optimum swell direction is NW, so it's not a perfect match, but the quality of the swell itself is hard to ignore. This is the best option on offer. It's a long way out, so don't book the week off, but it's a promising signal.

The days after that, the 25th and 26th, have a little more size, with a 3.0ft WNW swell on the 25th morning, but the wind turns cross-onshore and choppy in the afternoons, and the energy on the 25th afternoon spikes to 298, but it's messy. The 26th is back to smaller, choppier conditions.

Bottom line: it's a tough, flat start. The 24th of August is the one to keep an eye on for a potential clean, if small, session. Until then, save your wax.

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