Deadman's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you – the next couple of weeks here at Deadman's are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows that’ll get the heart pumping. This is a shallow reef setup, exposed to the swell, so when it lines up, it can be a gem, but it's inconsistent and often crowded, so you’ve got to pick your moment.

Right off the bat, we have to wait until Sunday afternoon, July 12th. It’s not a classic start, to be honest. We’ve got a 6ft NW swell rolling in, but the period is short at just 7 seconds, so it’s not packing much punch. The wind is coming from the NW at 6 mph, which puts it cross-shore, so the face is going to be a bit bumpy with those wind ripples. The water is sitting at 54°, about average for this time of year, so it’s not a surprise. The combined energy is moderate at 527 – it’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it, and the conditions are marginal.

Monday and Tuesday are pretty forgettable. We see the swell drop and the wind picks up, creating a cross-chop that’s just messy. Not worth suiting up for.

Things start to look slightly more interesting by Wednesday afternoon, July 15th. The swell bumps back up to 6ft from the NW, but the period is still short at 7 seconds. The wind, however, swings to a cross-offshore from the NNW at 19 mph. That’s cleaning the face up nicely, and the combined energy is up to a moderate 623. It’s still on the marginal side, but it’s the first time the waves look clean.

Now, listen, the real standout, and I mean the one you circle on the calendar, is Saturday afternoon, July 18th. The swell drops to 3ft, but don’t let that fool you. That small groundswell is moving from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds. For a reef, that’s a beautiful thing – long, lined-up walls. And the wind? Dead calm. Glassy conditions. Zero wind. That’s the kind of afternoon where the ocean looks like a mirror and the waves peel perfectly. The combined energy is still moderate at 835, which is all quality over quantity. This is the window for a classic, glassy session with very good conditions.

Sunday, July 19th, offers a similar story with that glassy wind and a long-period 15 to 17 second swell, but the size stays in the 3ft to 3ft range. Still beautiful, just a little smaller than Saturday.

We get another pulse around Monday, July 20th, with a 7ft NW swell, but the period is short again at 8 seconds. The morning has a light cross-shore breeze, so it’s not as clean. The afternoon, however, turns glassy with a 5ft NW swell and a combined energy of 713. That’s a great afternoon window for good, clean surf.

The next big one to keep an eye on is Thursday afternoon, July 23rd. The conditions turn glassy again, with a solid 6ft NW swell (9-second period). The combined energy jumps to a strong 1286. The file says this is excellent for experienced surfers. That size with those conditions will be a proper session, but remember, this is a reef, and over 5ft, it’s getting into the territory where beginners should sit it out.

Finally, Saturday afternoon, July 25th, brings another glassy afternoon with a 4ft swell from the S, but the period is a juicy 14 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 1234. This is another excellent window, especially for the more experienced crew, as that long-period south swell will wrap in nicely and offer some real power.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a waiting game. The absolute best on offer are that glassy Saturday afternoon (July 18th) for the pure, clean lines, and Thursday afternoon (July 23rd) for the bigger, more powerful stuff. Keep in mind, crowds are often a factor here, so get out there early or late.

Stay frothy,
Rusty

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