Flagler Avenue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gutted, folks. I’ve stared at the charts for Flagler Avenue until my eyes went square, and the honest truth is there’s almost nothing to get excited about for the next 16 days. We’re looking at a long, flat, and frustrating stretch. The waves are tiny, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, and this is one of those times you might be better off tinkering with your fins or going for a paddle to stay loose.

The first week is a total write-off. From Wednesday the 26th through to the end of the month, we’re dealing with ankle-biters. Mornings offer a glimmer of glassy conditions, or a slight cross-off breeze, but there’s no push behind it. Swell heights are hovering around 0.7ft to 2ft, with periods that are all over the shop – some long-period, but with that tiny size, it’s just not doing anything. The combined energy is weak, mostly in the teens to 70s (19-75), which tells you everything. The afternoons are getting chopped up by a 12 mph ESE breeze, making it look messy and uninviting. There’s a risk of storms on the 29th and 30th, which might mess with the wind more than anything.

The first week of September runs the exact same script. Cross-onshore winds from the east, tiny 2ft to 2ft swell, and energies that barely tickle the 100 mark. The 2nd has a bit of a longer period (12 seconds), but it’s still ankle-high and won't break properly with that wind on it. It’s just a whole lot of nothing.

Things start to look slightly less pathetic, but still not surfable, right around the 5th and 6th of September. The swell bumps up to a knee-high 3ft, and the energy climbs a touch (82-101). The 5th morning has a moment – dead calm, glassy, and a 3ft NE swell – but it's still incredibly weak. There's a glimmer of something, but it's passed by lunch as the wind picks up. The 9th and 10th see the energy get a bit more consistent (104-143), but the period drops to 8-9 seconds and the wind is straight onshore, which will ruin any chance of a clean face.

Honestly, the only 'best' on offer is the morning of Saturday the 7th of September, if you're desperate. There’s a 3ft NE swell with a 9-second period and light ENE winds. But it's cross-on, small, and the energy is still moderate at best (136). It’s not going to be good, just the least terrible. Then the 10th of September morning has that glassy, 2ft windswell with a NNW breeze – at least the water will be clean for a splash, but you won't be riding much. The water temp is running around average for this time of year, so you won't need a hood, just a whole heap of patience.

There are long gaps here with zero recommendations. From now until the 5th, it's completely flat. Then there's a gap of several days after the 7th until the 10th where it’s still not worth it. We're looking a lot of days of just staring at a lake. It’s a bleak run. Still, with Flagler being this consistent a break, it tends not to stay this poor for long. Forecasts change, so keep an eye on it, but for now, don't sell your board – just maybe don't wax it for a while.

Rusty

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