Downtowns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the charts for the next couple weeks. We’ve got a real solid run building for the experienced crew at Downtowns. This a reef break, fairly exposed to the swell, and it’s picking up a solid southwest groundswell. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Let’s break it down.

The first real action kicks off on Friday the 11th. That afternoon we’re seeing some clouds, but the wind is glassy out of the southeast at just 3 mph. Swell is a clean 6 ft from the SW with a long 16-second period. The combined energy is a solid 1919 (moderate energy) – this is the kind of setup that has proper shape and power, but with those longer gaps between sets. For a reef, that’s a treat. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Clean and glassy.

Saturday morning the 12th is a bit more marginal with some cross-onshore wind, but the swell holds at 5 ft with a 15-second period. The afternoon cleans right up again with offshore wind and 5 ft swell (1316 energy). Not a standout, but still very good.

Sunday the 13th is where it gets interesting. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 7 ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and the energy climbs to 2859 (moderate to strong). The wind is cross-offshore from the east at 6 mph. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – big, powerful, and clean. This is one of the true standouts of the whole run.

Monday the 14th holds excellent afternoon conditions again: 6 ft swell, 16-second period, east wind, clean. Energy at 1577.

Tuesday the 15th afternoon is another glassy gem: 6 ft, 15-second period, southeast wind at 3 mph. Feels glassy. Energy at 1478.

Wednesday the 16th keeps the glassy streak going all day. Morning and afternoon both glassy with 6-6 ft swell and 15-second period. Energy around 1300-1388. Clean, clean, clean.

Thursday the 17th afternoon is glassy again with 6 ft swell, 14-second period, energy 1457. Excellent conditions.

Now, we hit a bit of a lull. Friday the 18th through Saturday the 19th the swell drops below 5 ft and winds turn cross-onshore. Not a great window. But then, Sunday the 20th brings a punch: 8 ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period in the morning, energy hitting 2913 (strong). The wind is cross-onshore, so it’s a bit bumpy, but that’s a lot of power. Still, for the experienced, it’s worth a look.

Monday the 21st afternoon cleans up with glassy conditions and 6 ft swell (1289 energy). Good.

Then, another standout window appears. Wednesday the 23rd afternoon: glassy, 7 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, energy 2506 (strong to very strong). This is excellent for the experts. The following Thursday the 24th afternoon is also glassy with 6 ft and 15-second period (1463 energy).

We finish out the run on Saturday the 26th. The morning is glassy with a 4 ft swell, but check the period: 19 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell. Energy is 1490, but that long period will make it wrap beautifully around the reef, though it might break a bit too straight for a beach – no worries here, it’s a reef. Excellent conditions again for the experienced.

The only true standouts across the whole 16 days are the afternoons of Sunday the 13th and Wednesday the 23rd. Both have that big, powerful SW groundswell, clean winds, and high energy. Crowds can come and go at Downtowns, so you might have company, but with surf this good, it’s worth it.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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