Depressions Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. This is Rusty, and I'm looking at the next 16 days for our local spot, Depressions.

Honestly, it's a pretty lean run. The first stretch is a tough one to swallow. We're looking at a string of "poor surf conditions" all the way through most of the window. The only real hope on the horizon pops up for a couple of mornings around the end of the month and into early September, but even then it's a marginal call.

Let's start on Wednesday the 19th. The water is a very unusual 69°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. It's like we're in a summer dream, but the waves are a nightmare. We've got a weak 2ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, which is a long-period groundswell that would be better off at a point or reef, but here at Depressions the cross-on wind just chops it up. The combined energy is a moderate 267, but it's all for nothing.

The next few days are a total write-off. From Thursday the 20th through to the afternoon of Friday the 28th, it's a flat, choppy, or blown-out mess. We're talking endless days of 1ft to 2ft swells, and while the wind is often light, it's either onshore or cross-onshore, ruining any chance of a clean face. The combined energy dips as low as 124, which is just weak and pathetic. This is a full 10-day gap of nothing worth paddling for.

Then, on Saturday the 29th of August, we get a flicker of hope. The morning shows a 2ft SSW swell from the south, with a decent 17-second period and a combined energy hitting 402, which is a solid moderate boost. The wind is light and onshore from the SW, but it's a "marginal" call. It's a tease, but it's the best we've got. The next morning, Sunday the 30th, is similar with a 3ft SSW swell (15-second period) and even more energy at 429, but again, the wind is light and onshore.

By the end of the window, the swell tries to pick up but the wind turns nasty. The morning of Monday the 1st of September sees a 3ft WNW swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it's weak and jumbled. The combined energy is 246. Tuesday the 2nd is more of the same, with a 4ft WNW swell but a pathetic 6-second period. It's just not going to be any fun.

The last few days into Wednesday the 3rd of September look like they might have a little more size, but it's still a "marginal" call at best. The swells are small and the winds are not favorable.

So, what's the verdict? There's no standout. The best on offer is the morning of Saturday the 29th of August and Sunday the 30th of August, but even then, it's a marginal, onshore affair. If you're desperate for a paddle, that's your window, but don't expect much.

-Rusty

Read more