5th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me tell ya how things are shaping up for the next couple of weeks. I've been looking at the charts for our stretch of coast, and honestly, it's a bit of a slow burn. We're in a pretty flat spell right now, so don't expect much to start. The first real chance of a wave that's worth paddling out for won't show up until Sunday the 20th, but even that's pretty average. After that, we've got a couple of days that look a bit more promising, especially for the crew who can handle some size.

The main break on offer is 5th Street, a beach and jetty setup that's fairly exposed. It's an intermediate spot, and it can get a bit of a crowd from time to time, so don't expect to have it to yourself.

The water is sitting at 77°F, which is a solid 7°F warmer than average for this time of year – that's very unusual. The ocean is feeling like bathwater out there, which is a weird combo with the lack of swell.

So, let's get into it. We're looking at a real dry patch from now all the way through to Saturday the 19th. There's some tiny energy, but the combined energy values are all under 100 (weak energy), and the surf reports are all "poor surf conditions." The wind isn't helping either, mostly blowing cross or cross-onshore. It's a proper flat spell.

Now, your first real look comes on Sunday, the 20th of September. It's not much, but it's something. In the afternoon, we get a tiny pulse of 3ft swell from the NE. The period is a short 4 seconds, so it's weak windswell with a combined energy of only 60 (weak). The silver lining is a nice offshore wind from the NNW at 12 mph, which will keep it glassy and clean. The wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions" and a score of 1/10, so don't expect barrels. It's a small, clean wave for the longboard if you're desperate.

Then we skip to Monday, the 21st of September. The morning brings a jump in size to 5ft from the east. The period is 8 seconds and the combined energy hits 299 (moderate energy). This is more size, but the wind is a cross-shore from the ENE at 16 mph, making it messy with a cross-chop. It's still "poor surf conditions" and a 0/10. The afternoon is similar with 5ft and cross-onshore wind. This size is right on the edge for beginners; it's not huge but the chop will make it tough.

Thursday, the 24th of September is a standout in this otherwise average run. The morning brings a solid 5ft swell from the ENE with an 8-second period. The combined energy jumps to 439 (moderate energy). The wind is a cross-offshore from the west at 9 mph, which will clean it up nicely. The wave comment says "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions" and a score of 1/10, so it's not perfect, but this is the best combo of size and clean conditions we've seen. That's a good window for a session.

Following that, Friday, the 25th of September also has some clean conditions. Both morning and afternoon see offshore winds from the WNW and NW at 12-16 mph. The swell is 3ft and 3ft from the east with a 9-second period. The combined energy is 173 and 144 (moderate energy). The wave comment is "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions" and a 1/10. It's clean but not big.

Saturday, the 26th of September continues the trend of clean conditions with offshore winds all day. The swell drops to 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the afternoon, with a combined energy under 100 (weak energy). It's clean but tiny.

The rest of the forecast through to the 28th drops back into the doldrums with tiny swell and poor conditions.

So, to sum it up for a surfer: it's a quiet start. Your best bet is Thursday, the 24th of September at 5th Street. That morning has the most size (5ft from the ENE) and clean cross-offshore wind. It's not a classic, but it's the only day that looks like it has some push and reasonable conditions. The Friday and Saturday after that are clean but smaller. Don't get too excited about the long range, but keep an eye on that Thursday window.

Rusty.

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