57th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be real about this stretch ahead. The pickings are slim, and I mean real slim. There’s no standout, world-class day in this 16-day window, but there are a few windows where you could get a wet suit on and catch a few if you’re not too picky. The first few days are a write-off, so don’t bother paddling out until we get past the initial nothing.

Looking at 57th Street, the pattern is flat and weak for a long stretch. The first real flicker of hope comes on Friday morning, 28 August. The ocean is dead flat with a glassy surface, no wind at all. Swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the ESE, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is just 66 (weak), so it’s not going to be powerful, but it’ll be clean. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 76 °F, so that’s a bonus. It’s surfable, but only just – this is a beginner-friendly option for a longboard or a foiler. Don’t expect much.

After that, it’s back to poor conditions for days. The next time we see anything remotely rideable is Thursday, 3 September. The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore wind from the SW, and the swell starts to show a pulse. It’s still small at 3 ft from the ENE, but the period is short at 5 seconds. The afternoon is where it gets interesting for a short window: the wind turns offshore from the NW, 9 mph, and the swell bumps up to 4 ft from the ENE, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy hits 144 (moderate), so there’s a bit more push. This is about as good as it gets for the whole forecast – still small for a sandbar, but clean offshore conditions will make it look better than it is. It’s not a standout for the history books, but it’s the best on offer.

Friday morning, 4 September, keeps the clean cross-off wind from the NNW, swell at 3 ft from the E, but the energy is still moderate at 118. It’s rideable, but nothing special. Then we go back into a long gap of poor surf that lasts through the 11th of September. The swell tries to show up a few times, like on the 7th, with 3 ft from the S, but the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s messy. The period is short at 6 seconds, so not much shape.

If you’re a beginner, the Friday morning (28 Aug) glassy session is your best bet. For anyone looking for a bit more push, the Thursday afternoon (3 Sep) with offshore wind is the only real window where you’ll get a few clean ones. It’s a long wait, but that’s the hand we’re dealt.

Stay patient, and check back in a few days – forecasts can change. Rusty.

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