56th St Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down this local stretch.

Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a grind. We're looking at a long, flat spell that's tough to get excited about. The first real recommendation for a paddle doesn't come up until Thursday, July 23rd, and even then it's just marginal. The first few days from July 14th through the 22nd are a write-off – the swell is tiny, the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the water is just choppy and messy. There's a solid 8-day gap with no surf worth talking about. It's a typical summer lull; you can't force it, the forecasts might change, but right now, it's a waiting game.

The first flicker of life arrives on Thursday, July 23rd at 56th St. The morning offers a 4 ft SSW swell, but it's weak at 14 seconds and the combined energy is only moderate at 748. The wind is offshore (SSW at 5 km/h), which is a major positive for clean conditions, but the overall rating is still marginal. It's a small, clean wave for the intermediate crew, but it's not going to set the world on fire.

The only real standout in this entire 16-day window is the Saturday, July 25th morning session at 56th St. The swell picks up to a solid 7 ft from the S with a 14-second period. The combined energy jumps to a strong 2451, meaning there's finally some real power in the water. The wind is cross-onshore from the W at 15 km/h, which will put a bit of texture on the face, but the size is there. At 7 ft, this is one for the experts – it's going to be pushing well overhead and the period is a bit short for the size, making it dumpy. It's a beach break, so expect some close-outs, but for the more experienced locals, this is the best chance of the period to get a proper wave. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it shouldn't be a total zoo.

The following Sunday, July 26th, drops back down to 3 ft, but the period jumps to a very long 19 seconds from the SSW with a strong energy of 1171. That's proper groundswell, but it's a bit small. For a beach break, a long period like that can make the waves break too straight, so it's a bit of a gamble.

Overall, the water temp is sitting at a touch warmer than normal at 69°, so you can get away with a spring suit. But the surf? Mark my words, the 25th is the one to circle on the calendar. Everything else is a wait-and-see game.

Rusty.

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