Damp Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for our local stretch.

Honestly, it’s a tough run ahead. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple for the best part of two weeks. The first solid chance of a wave doesn’t show up until Monday the 7th of September, and even then it’s tiny. From now right through the end of August and into the first week of September, you’re better off leaving the board in the car. There’s a gap of about 10 days where the ocean just gives us nothing rideable.

Let’s talk about Damp, which is the only game in town, if you can call it that. It’s a sandbar setup, pretty exposed to the east. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Friday the 28th of August – We get our first little pulse. A weak 2ft swell from the east, but the period is a short-period windswell at just 4 seconds – barely any energy (combined energy of all swells directed here is only 15). Wind is a cross-off, so it might look okay, but it’s poor surf. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday the 30th of August – A bit of S swell showing at 1ft, period still short at 3 seconds, energy is a measly 3. Wind is cross-shore with some chop. Another miss.

We then slide into a long stretch of zeros. Days and days with no surf height recorded. The winds do turn offshore here and there – even strong offshore on the 4th of September (28 mph), but with no swell to work with, you're just getting blown around in flat water. That 28 mph offshore on the 4th is strong enough that even if there were waves, paddling into them would be tough.

Finally, Monday the 7th of September – A tiny 1ft southerly swell pops up. Period is a dreadful 2 seconds, energy at 1. It’s clean with a light cross-off breeze, but it’s barely a ripple. Only good if you’re teaching a toddler to float.

Thursday the 10th of September – A slight bump with a 1ft NE swell, period of 3 seconds (energy 2) and 2ft ENE swell (energy 7). Offshore winds from the west at 22-25 mph will clean it up, but those winds are strong – you’ll be fighting to get out. Not for the faint-hearted.

Friday the 11th of September – The biggest of the entire outlook. A 3ft N swell shows up, period still short at 4 seconds, combined energy of all swells directed here at 28. West-northwest winds are light in the morning, making for clean conditions. This is the best you’re going to get, but it’s still small and weak. It’s inconsistent and often crowded even when it's poor, so manage your expectations.

Everything after that fades back to flat.

The bottom line: There are no standouts here. The surf is poor to non-existent for the entire 16-day window. If you absolutely need to get wet, the 11th of September is your only faint hope. Otherwise, it’s time to take up a hobby on land. This kind of blank run happens here – it’s a normal part of the season.

Rusty.

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