Downtowns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it's Rusty. We've got one break to watch over the next two weeks, so let’s break it down.

We start on Monday, August 3rd, and it's on. A solid 6ft SSW groundswell with a long 15-second period is rolling in, packing strong energy (1370). The water's 80°F, which is standard for this time of year. Morning has a light cross breeze, but the afternoon turns glassy with a light easterly. That’s your best window on day one: clean, lined-up waves at Downtowns, a reef that’s fairly consistent and sticks its nose into the swell. Crowds are an "sometimes" thing, so you'll have company, but with those conditions, it’s a no-brainer.

Tuesday the 4th keeps the stoke going. Waves are 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, period at 14 seconds, and glassy all day. The energy is still solid (1119-1231). This is clean, easy paddling for the advanced crew.

Wednesday the 5th is a bit of a mixed bag. Morning has a cross breeze messing up the face, but the afternoon cleans up to glassy again. Another pulse of SW swell (5ft, 15 secs) with energy climbing to 1516. By Thursday the 6th, it gets serious. Swell jumps to 7ft, period stretches to a very long 17 seconds, and we get clean offshore winds. Energy is strong at 2488. This is expert territory. Friday the 7th cranks it up to 8ft to 8ft of SSW groundswell, glassy, with energy rocketing over 3000. This is big, powerful, long-period swell. On a reef like Downtowns, it’s a freight train, but only for the skilled crew. The weekend of the 8th and 9th holds size in the 7ft to 8ft range, with good clean winds. Energy stays strong (1997-2990).

We hit a patch of crosswinds on Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th. The swell stays fat (8ft) but the wind gets choppy. Energy peaks at 4330, but it’s ugly for paddle surfing. You might see kites out there. Everything glasses back up on Wednesday the 12th, with a drop to 5ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon. Energy remains moderate to strong.

The big standout is Thursday, August 13th. This is the day. We’re looking at 8ft of pure SSW groundswell, an 18-second period, and absolutely dead calm conditions. Wave energy is massive – over 4200. Heavy, grinding, long-period swell on a reef with zero wind. That’s a hall-of-fame session for experts. Friday the 14th is still excellent with clean offshore winds and 7ft to 8ft SSW swell.

The second week sees the swell taper but stay active. From the 15th, winds pick up from the SE, getting blustery and making things choppy. Swell drops to 6ft, then to 3ft by Sunday the 16th. Monday the 17th is a nice rebound with clean cross-off winds and 5ft to 5ft swell, including a very long 20-second period in the afternoon (energy 2740). The final days on the 18th show another big push to 8ft, but with crosswinds and some clouds. Energy is back over 4000, but conditions are messy. The lesson here: Downtowns is a jewel in those calm, glassy windows. For the reef-savvy crew, this is a great run.

Rusty.

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