81st Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.

Alright, I won’t sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are looking pretty flat for the most part. We’ve got a real dry spell on the cards, with hardly any surf worth getting excited about. The first solid chance to even think about a paddle won’t come until nearly a week into the forecast, and even then, it’s touch and go. There’s a stretch from the start of the outlook where you’re better off doing something else entirely.

The only name on the sheet is 81st Street. It’s a beginner spot, exposed to swells, but it’s inconsistent, so it’s not the kind of place that’s always pumping. Even when it does get a little bump, it’s rarely a standout.

Let’s run through it. The first few days are a write-off. Tiny waves, poor conditions, and a lot of wind. On Wednesday the 22nd, we get a sniff of something in the afternoon with a 3 ft swell from the SSE at 8 seconds, and offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is only moderate (98), and it’s described as “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s clean, but honestly, it’s not calling me.

Thursday the 23rd brings a bit more size, with 5 ft from the NE in the morning, but the wind is a cross-onshore mess, and the energy is weak (166). It jumps to 6 ft from the ENE in the afternoon, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the cross-onshore wind makes it lumpy. That’s not a paddle, that’s a struggle.

The best chance in this whole window comes on Sunday the 26th. The morning looks glassy with a light 5 km/h cross-off wind from the ENE. The swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the ENE, but the glassy conditions are a major positive. The combined energy is weak (44), so it’s going to be small and clean, but for a beginner or someone wanting a longboard cruise, it’s the pick of the bunch. The crowds at 81st Street can be around sometimes, so keep an eye out.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. There’s a long gap of poor surf and weak energy until the very end. On Monday the 3rd of August, we get another glassy morning with a light W wind, and a 1 ft swell from the East at 10 seconds. The period is getting longer, but the energy is still low (42). It’s another “surfable but ordinary” scenario.

Then on Tuesday the 4th of August, we get a 2 ft SSE swell with offshore wind from the WSW, and a bit more energy (75). It’s clean, but again, it’s not going to set the world on fire.

So, the long and short of it: There is no standout. The glassy Sunday the 26th morning is the best you’ll get, but it’s a small wave day. The late August window is promising but less certain. If you’re a beginner, the 26th might be your one chance. If you’re after anything with power, you’re out of luck. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

Rusty.

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