56th St Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about the next 16 days for 56th St. Got a rough patch to get through first, so buckle up.

We’re starting with a dry spell. From Thursday the 20th of August through Tuesday the 25th, it’s flat and no good. Tiny swell, under 2 feet, with cross-onshore breeze messin’ it all up. Just chop and no push. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Come Wednesday the 26th of August, things get a little more interesting. Swell comes up to around 4 feet from the south, period about 13 seconds. The energy’s gettin’ into moderate territory (740). But the wind’s on it or cross-on, so it’s still messy. The report calls it marginal, and that’s fair. Might be a wave or two for the determined, but it’s not gonna be clean.

From the 27th to the 31st of August, it’s a real mixed bag. Swell hangs between 2 feet and 4 feet, mostly from the SSW. Energy stays moderate (around 594 to 702). Periods are short to average, mostly 13 to 18 seconds. Wind stays light and cross-on or on, keepin’ things sloppy. No real standout here—just a lot of waitin’.

Early September keeps the trend goin’. The 1st and 2nd are wind-affected, swell from the west with a super short period of only 8 seconds. That’s weak, crumbly stuff. Not worth your time.

Then we get to Thursday the 3rd of September. Long-period groundswell starts showin’ up from the SSW, with periods of 20-21 seconds. Swell height is a fun 2 to 3 feet, and wave energy climbs to strong levels (580 to 734). But the wind is still cross-on, so it’s marginal. That long period could line things up, but the wind’s a little off.

Now, the one and only standout—circle this one—is Friday the 4th of September in the morning. Swell from the SSW at 3 feet, period 18 seconds, and strong wave energy at 785. But the magic is the wind: glassy. Dead calm. That’s the kind of morning where the ocean goes flat and the waves have perfect shape. It’s gonna be clean, and that long-period groundswell will wrap in real nice. Water temp’s around 70°, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year—feels good. That Friday morning session is your best bet. Get out there.

The afternoon turns cross-onshore and choppy again, so it’s a short window. But man, that morning window is sweet.

So, first two weeks are mostly a bust. Small, wind-chopped surf. The only real highlight is that Friday the 4th morning. You’ll have to be patient, but when it’s glassy and the long-period groundswell rolls in, it’s all worth it.

Stay wet,
Rusty

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