El Medano Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it's a pretty grim start. For the first week, from Monday 10th August right through to Sunday 16th August, it's a write-off. The wind is hammering in from the ENE and NE, 12 to 25 mph, and it's cross-onshore all the way. The swell is short-period, weak stuff, under 4 ft, and the energy is weak. The water temp is sitting at 75°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. But honestly, it's just messy and lumpy, not worth paddling out for.

Now, there's a glimmer of hope if you're patient. Things start to change around the 17th, but it's still not great. Then on Tuesday morning, 18th August, we get a window of opportunity at El Medano. The wind goes glassy, just a whisper from the WSW at 3 mph. The swell is a clean 2 ft from the SSW, with a nice long period of 14 seconds—that's proper groundswell. The energy picks up to a moderate level, but the waves are small. This is a spot that rarely breaks, so when it does, you gotta pay attention. It's a beach and reef setup, so that long period should wrap in nicely. The crowds are sometimes a thing here, but with the size, it shouldn't be too hectic. It's a beginner-friendly wave at this size, so it's a good one for the learners.

Wednesday 19th August morning is a bit of a gamble - the wind is onshore from the ESE, so it's a no-go for me. The next real standout is Thursday 20th August. The morning is glassy again, with a calm wind from the WSW. Same SSW swell, 3 ft at 14 seconds, and the energy is strong. The afternoon looks even better, with a light S wind keeping it glassy and the energy even stronger. That's the pick of the whole outlook. The water temp is still around that average mark, so no surprises there.

The last few days of the forecast see the swell backing off, dropping to 1 ft and lower by the 23rd and 24th, with the cross-onshore wind returning. The energy just fades away to weak levels. Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd might offer a marginal wave, but it's nothing to get excited about. The 25th sees a spike in period to 19 seconds, but the wind is messy again.

So, to wrap it up: The first week is a total loss. The best surf is on Thursday 20th August, with glassy conditions and a clean 3 ft SSW groundswell. Tuesday 18th August is a smaller, more beginner-friendly option. Don't hold your breath for the second week.

Rusty.

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