57th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about 57th Street. I’m looking at the numbers, and I’ve got to tell you—it’s pretty grim. This is a beginner-friendly sandbar, but for the next two and a half weeks, there’s barely a wave worth even looking at. The water’s 77°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re sitting there doing nothing.

Starting Monday the 10th of August, we’ve got 1ft dribble out of the south, with a period of only 4 seconds—that’s just wind chop, no push. The combined swell energy is a weak 7 (basically nothing), and even with a light cross-off breeze, those waves are too pathetic to ride. That’s the story for the whole first week up to Sunday the 16th: knee-high junk, mostly under 2ft, with onshore or cross-onshore winds making a mess of it. The energy numbers are stuck in the teens and twenties. Thursday the 13th morning shows 3ft, but it’s a 5-second period with a light cross-onshore—still poor quality, not worth it. Friday the 14th morning goes glassy with a 1ft south-southeast swell and a 7-second period, but it’s just too small to catch anything.

The second week doesn’t improve much. Monday the 17th is the only day worth talking about. A 3ft south swell with a 7-second period, and the wind finally swings offshore from the northwest with a gentle breeze—clean conditions. The energy hits 61, the best we’ll see. You’ll get some small, ordinary waves, but at least they’ll be clean. That morning is your one real shot. Tuesday the 18th brings a long-period 15-second groundswell from the southeast, but it’s only 1ft and the cross-shore wind is moderate and messy. That long period would be exciting with size, but with none behind it, it’s just a tease—especially at a beach break where long-period swells tend to close out.

After the 17th, it’s another dead run. From Wednesday the 19th through Tuesday the 25th of August, swell heights bounce between 1ft and 3ft, but the winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and ugly. The energy does climb a bit on the 19th and 20th—hitting 145 and 101—but that’s still moderate, and the conditions are poor. Saturday the 22nd morning offers a clean, offshore breeze from the north-northwest, but with only a 1ft east-southeast swell and an 8-second period, it’s too small to matter. The report calls it "surfable but very ordinary," and that’s generous.

So here’s the truth: your only real chance is Monday the 17th morning—small, clean, offshore. After that, it’s a two-week stretch of flat or messy junk. For a spot that’s usually fairly consistent, this is a rough patch, but forecasts change. Don’t give up hope yet.

- Rusty

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