El Medano Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at El Medano for the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – the bulk of this 16-day window is a write-off. The pattern is locked into a persistent cross-onshore wind that just won’t give us a break. The swell is mostly short-period, weak stuff, and the wind is just ruining any chance of a decent wave. The combined energy is moderate at best, topping out around 249 to 409 on the first weekend, but it’s all blown out and lumpy. There’s a long stretch of poor surf here, so don’t get your hopes up for the next week.

Now, for the one and only true standout. Mark your calendar for Thursday morning, July 30th. That morning, the wind is forecast to go glassy. I’m talking a light 3 mph breeze from the east, clean conditions. The swell will be small but rideable, with a 4 ft wave from the NNE, and a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is a moderate 178. It’s not going to be pumping, but it will be the cleanest surf we’ll see in this entire outlook. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The rest of the period is a real grind. After that Thursday morning, we’re right back into the cross-onshore mess. The winds pick up again, the swell stays small and short, and the quality is poor. There’s a little blip on August 4th with a long-period 12-second swell from the SSW, but it’s tiny at 1 ft and the wind is howling, so that’s a no-go. The entire second week looks like more of the same – moderate to fresh cross-onshore winds and choppy, lumpy conditions. The energy values bounce around, but the wind just kills it every time.

So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate for a paddle, that Thursday morning, July 30th, is your only shot at something clean. The rest? Leave the board in the car and go for a walk.

Rusty.

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