Fort Cronkite Rodeo Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this stretch at Fort Cronkite Rodeo Beach is not shaping up for a classic surf session. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a struggle, with the wind more often than not messing things up. The water temperature is 64°, which is a wild 6° warmer than it should be for this time of year – that’s very unusual, almost like the ocean forgot it’s late August.

We start off on Sunday, the 23rd of August, with a tiny 3ft swell from the WNW, but the period is short at 8 seconds and the wind is onshore. The combined energy is weak (267), so it’s a no-go. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are even smaller, with waves around 2ft to 2ft, and a messy cross-onshore wind that chops it all up. The swell energy is moderate (362 to 238), but the conditions are just poor.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th stay small, with a 4ft to 5ft swell on Thursday, but the period drops to a terrible 6 seconds and the wind is still cross-onshore. The energy picks up a bit (348 to 375), but it’s all windswell and no shape. Friday the 28th through Sunday the 30th sees a bit more energy – the combined energy hits 800 on Saturday the 29th morning – but the waves are still small (2ft to 3ft) and the wind is a constant problem. Sunday the 30th afternoon actually pumps a 7ft swell from the WNW, but the period is only 7 seconds and the wind is howling cross-onshore at 15 mph, making it a total mess.

Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September bring a slightly better 5ft swell from the WNW, but the 7-8 second period is still too short. The wind is light on Tuesday morning, but it’s onshore, so the surf is marginal at best. The energy is moderate (453).

Then, on Wednesday the 2nd of September, there’s a real glimmer of hope. The morning is glassy, with a 4ft swell from the WNW and a 7-second period. The combined energy is moderate (238). The wind is completely calm, and the conditions are glassy. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” but for this beach, that’s the best we’ll see. If you’re desperate, this is the morning to paddle out, but don’t expect anything special.

The rest of the first week of September is a washout. Thursday the 3rd has a 3ft swell from the SW with a 20-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore, and the energy is strong (811), but it’s wasted. Friday the 4th of September and Saturday the 5th have a solid 7ft to 7ft swell from the WNW, with a 9-10 second period and moderate energy (1218 to 1303). This is a big swell, over 8ft at times, so it’s for experts only. But the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a ragged, choppy mess. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Finally, the standout of the entire outlook comes on Sunday the 6th of September. The morning is glassy, with a 5ft groundswell from the WNW and a 10-second period. The combined energy is strong (621), and the wind is dead calm. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is your best bet. The 10-second period is decent, giving some push, and the glassy conditions will make that beach break look clean. It’s still a beach break, so the long period (10s) might make it a little straight, but with no wind, it’ll be fun. Monday the 7th of September morning is also glassy, with a 5ft swell from the NW and an 8-second period, and a strong energy (682). The wave comment also says “expect good surf conditions.” This is another solid option.

So, to wrap it up: the best days are Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th of September mornings. The rest is a write-off, with wind and chop ruining what little swell there is. The 7ft+ days earlier in September are too big for beginners and blown out.

Rusty.

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