81st Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Straight up, it’s a pretty grim outlook for the next 16 days. The only spot in the frame is 81st Street, and honestly, the swell and conditions are just not cooperating. We’re looking at a long stretch of sub-par surf with no real standout sessions.

The water temp is sitting around 77°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The week starts off with a few small pulses, but the quality is poor. Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, brings a tiny 3 ft SE swell with a short period of 5 seconds (weak energy, 32). The wind is a cross-off S breeze at 12 mph, but the report still says “poor surf conditions.” The day actually gets a little bigger in the afternoon with 4 ft SSE swell, but it’s still short period (5 seconds) and the energy is still weak (93). The wind picks up to 19 mph, and it’s just not worth paddling out.

Monday the 3rd has a little more size, with 5 ft SSE swell in the afternoon, period at 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 273 (moderate), but the wind stays cross-off and strong at 16 mph. The surf is still rated as poor. That trend continues through the week – tiny swells, short periods, and mostly cross-off or onshore winds.

There’s a slight tease on the 8th of August (Saturday morning). The wind goes light offshore from the WSW at 9 mph, and the swell is 2 ft from the SE with a period of 8 seconds. The energy is 66 (weak), and the report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s about as good as it gets. But it’s tiny and inconsistent, so don’t expect much.

The rest of the second week is a write-off. Swell stays under 3 ft, periods are short, and winds are mostly cross or onshore. By the 14th of August, we get a glassy morning with a 1.0 ft ENE swell, but it’s just too small to do anything with. Even the offshore wind on the 16th of August (Sunday morning) with a 0.7 ft ESE swell and a 9-second period (energy 9) is a non-starter.

Best on Offer: Honestly, the only moment that comes close is the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. The 2 ft SE swell, light offshore WSW wind, and clean conditions make it the most surfable window. But it’s weak, inconsistent, and the break doesn’t always cooperate. Crowds are possible here, so if you’re desperate, you might find a few others with the same thought.

Other than that, it’s a long, flat run. For a spot like 81st Street, this kind of blank spell is pretty normal. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but for now, I’d say leave the board in the car.

Rusty.

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