Desperations Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, settle in, let's talk about the next couple of weeks. We've only got one spot on the radar this time around: Desperations.

Right now, it's a bit of a frustrating start. Wednesday afternoon is a write-off with a cross-onshore mess, and that same cross-shore chop and moderate breeze will plague us through most of Thursday, too. We've got some real swell energy in the water – readings are strong – but the wind is just ruining the surface. You'll be battling a cross-chop all day.

But hang in there. The real light at the end of the tunnel comes on Friday, August 28th. I am buzzing for the morning session. The wind drops to just a whisper from the east, promising absolute glassy conditions. We've got a solid 4ft SSW groundswell with a great 15-second period rolling in. The water temp is sitting at 78°, which is spot on for this time of year, so you won't need the thick suit. That early Friday is the standout of this whole period – clean, long-period lines from the SSW. It won't be huge, but the quality will be there.

Saturday morning, the 29th, still has some life with clean glassy 3ft SSW swell, but the energy is fading fast. Things get pretty dicey after that for a good stretch. From Sunday the 30th all the way through the end of the first week of September, the wind is going to be a real issue. Mostly cross-on or onshore, often moderate to strong (up to 25 mph), turning the ocean into a messy, lumpy chop. The swell pulses up significantly around Wednesday, September 2nd, with a big 7ft SSW swell, but it's accompanied by fresh, cross-onshore winds. That is strictly for the hardcore few; for most, it'll be unrideable. For kite surfers, that setup of solid wind and decent swell might be interesting, but for paddle surfing, it's a pass.

Now, after that long, windy stretch, things clean up beautifully again. Saturday, September 5th, is another absolute gem. Saturday morning gives us clean, glassy 4ft SSW swell, but the afternoon is where it's at. We get 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period and, again, glassy conditions. This is the best wave of the long-range forecast for experienced surfers. The long period will push them in fast, so this reef break should handle them beautifully.

Monday, September 7th, also looks like a treat for the experienced crew. The morning has a nice 5ft SSW swell with a super long 20-second period, and by the afternoon, we get rain showers and completely calm, glassy conditions. That is a serious window.

Tuesday, September 8th, carries that quality on. A clean 6ft SSW swell from a clean cross-offshore wind in the morning will have some real power behind it, and it's still manageable for any strong intermediate. So, after a tough first few days, the second week really delivers.

Don't forget, Desperations is a fairly consistent reef break, so it doesn't take long for it to fire when the conditions line up. It can get a crowd sometimes, but on those glassy mornings it’s worth the paddle out. The optimum swell is from the SSW, and that's exactly what we're getting.

Alright, I'm heading out.

Rusty.

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