Downtowns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk waves.

Only one spot has got anything going on in this run: Downtowns. It’s a reef, so it handles swell well. The water temp is 80°, pretty much normal for now.

Wednesday morning September 2nd starts off with a 7ft SW groundswell, period a super-long 17 seconds. Packs a punch, energy reading 2302. A light SSE cross breeze messes with it a bit, but Wednesday afternoon? That’s the one. Wind shifts light ESE offshore, swell drops to 7ft, period still 16 seconds, energy 2053 — clean, lined-up, and glassy. This is the best window of the whole forecast. For experienced surfers, this is excellent.

Thursday the 3rd: swell drops to 5ft in the morning, period 16 seconds, energy 1329, but cross wind. Thursday afternoon cleans up with offshore ESE at 6 mph, 5ft SW, period 16 seconds, energy 1041 — very good.

Friday the 4th: small, 4–5ft SW, period 14 seconds, energy around 750. Not special. Friday afternoon has clean conditions with a light cross-off SSE breeze, so there are some fun ones.

The weekend goes sideways. Saturday the 5th: swell builds to 6–6ft, but wind swings S and picks up to 12 mph, chopping the surface. Energy moderate at 1277–1743, but quality drops. Sunday the 6th: 5–7ft SW swell, moderate S cross wind at 12 mph, energy 1984–2212, but bumpy.

Monday the 7th: swell holds at 7ft from SSW, period 14 seconds, still cross wind at 9–12 mph. Energy strong at 1977–1948, but bumpy.

Tuesday the 8th: morning swell drops to 5ft, but period jumps to 19 seconds – real long-period groundswell. Energy 2858. Wind is S cross at 9 mph, so not glassy but the lines will be clean. Tuesday afternoon: 6ft, period 18 seconds, energy 3505 – strong. Cross wind keeps it from perfection, but still a good day.

Wednesday the 9th: biggest swell of the run – 8ft SSW, period 16 seconds, energy 3222. Wind is S cross at 9 mph, so big, powerful, but lumpy. Only experts. Thursday the 10th: backs off to 5–6ft, energy 1821–1631, cross wind.

From Friday the 11th on, there are some clean windows. Friday afternoon: SSE cross-off, 5ft SW, period 15 seconds, energy 1332. Saturday the 12th afternoon: small at 4ft but very long period 21 seconds, energy 2010, SE cross-off – glassy and clean. Sunday the 13th afternoon: 7ft SW, period 17 seconds, ESE offshore, energy 2863 – excellent for experienced surfers.

Monday the 14th afternoon: SE cross-off, 6ft SW, period 16 seconds, energy 1532 – clean. Tuesday the 15th afternoon: offshore ESE, 6ft SW, period 16 seconds, energy 1597 – glassy. Wednesday the 16th afternoon: same deal, 6ft SW, period 15 seconds, offshore ESE, energy 1423. Thursday the 17th afternoon: 4ft SW, period 20 seconds, cross-off SE, energy 1853 – clean long-period lines.

Best on offer: Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd. Offshore wind, 7ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, clean. Second standout: Sunday afternoon, September 13th – 7ft SW, offshore ESE, period 17 seconds. Both are for experienced surfers. This reef can get a few people on it, but the quality makes up for it.

Rusty.

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