56th St Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what 56th St has in store.

Honestly, for the next couple of weeks, it’s not looking great for a paddle. The first week is pretty much a washout. The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, which just makes the surface a mess. Swell is small, between 2ft and 4ft, but even when it picks up, the quality is poor. You’ll be dealing with chop. The wave energy is moderate, but it’s wasted with that wind. There’s a long period swell from the SSW around the 24th and 25th, with periods hitting 13 to 15 seconds, which would be sweet at a reef or point, but at a sheltered beach like this, those long-period swells can break too straight and dump. Not worth the effort.

The one that might get your heart pumping is Friday, July 31st. The swell jumps to 6ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon from the S, with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, and the combined energy is strong. That’s a lot of water moving. But here’s the kicker: the wind is cross-on from the WSW, which will chop it up. For a beginner, over 5ft is too big, and at 7ft, it’s expert-only, especially with that cross-on wind. It’s a real shame because the swell has power, but the conditions won’t let it be clean. For a kite surfer, that’s a great setup, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a tough one.

The next day, August 1st, the swell drops to 5ft, and then to 2ft on the 2nd, with lighter winds, but the magic is gone. After that, the energy fades away completely, with tiny 1ft to 2ft waves and weak energy. The window is closed.

So, the bottom line? There’s no real standout. The 31st of July has the size, but the wind ruins it. If you’re keen, you could try the morning of the 31st when the swell is 6ft and the wind is light, but it’s still cross-on. For the rest, you’re better off waiting for a better forecast. It’s a dry spell, but it happens. Forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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