Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Fourth Beach over the next couple of weeks.

First thing: the water temp is 62°, dead average for this time of year – nothing wild. The start of the week is a total loss. Monday the 27th is a mess with that 12ft SSW swell getting hammered by a fresh cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is massive (4198), but it’s lumpy, choppy, and just plain ugly. Not worth paddling out.

Tuesday the 28th stays big, with that 10ft groundswell, but the wind is onshore and the quality is still marginal. The wave energy is through the roof – 3783 in the morning, 5094 in the afternoon. That’s a lot of water moving, but the conditions are not there yet.

Now, Wednesday the 29th – that’s where things start to look interesting. Morning session with a light offshore northerly and 10ft SSW groundswell, period 13 seconds. The energy is still strong (2547) and the offshore wind will clean it right up. For experienced surfers, this is the real deal. The standout is definitely the Wednesday morning window – clean, offshore, solid swell. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Thursday the 30th drops a bit to 5ft, but the wind goes offshore again in the morning, and by the afternoon you’ve got a light cross-off breeze. That afternoon session with 5ft and that 14-second period is clean and fun. Not the biggest, but quality.

Friday the 31st is a beauty. Fresh offshore NNW wind in the morning, 6ft of SSW groundswell at 18 seconds – that’s very long period, proper groundswell. The energy is 2255. This break is fairly exposed but that long period stuff will be lining up nicely. By the afternoon, the wind goes gentle offshore, swell bumps to 8ft, and the period is 16 seconds. This is a standout day – Friday afternoon is the best of the first week.

Hold on, because Saturday the 1st of August gets wild. The morning sees 13ft of SW swell, but the WSW wind is 19 mph and cross-shore. The energy is 7570 – that’s serious power. But the report says it’s too big for this break. This is expert territory only, and honestly, with that cross-shore wind, it might be more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers. The afternoon is a complete write-off with cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions.

Sunday the 2nd is still big – 12ft – but the wind is onshore and it’s marginal. Not a good one.

Now, look ahead to Monday the 3rd of August. Morning offshore NNE wind, 7ft SSW swell, period 13 seconds. Clean, moderate offshore, excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is 1819. That’s a solid session.

Tuesday the 4th of August is a real standout. Morning offshore north wind, 6ft swell at 20 seconds – that’s very long period. The energy is 2786. The afternoon is even better: 8ft, 19-second period, with a light cross-off breeze. The wave quality is excellent. This is probably the best day in the whole run – Tuesday the 4th, both sessions.

Wednesday the 5th of August holds: 8ft, 17-second period, cross-off wind in the morning. Energy is 4002. The afternoon is a bit more cross-shore but still clean. Good.

Thursday the 6th of August is all 10ft and 17-second period, but the wind is less favourable – cross-shore in the morning, onshore in the afternoon. The energy is huge (6103 and 5406) but the quality drops.

Friday the 7th of August is back to clean. Morning offshore north wind, 8ft SW swell at 16 seconds. Afternoon: 8ft, 15 seconds, cross-off breeze. Both sessions are excellent. Crowds are possible again.

Saturday the 8th of August – watch out. The morning has 12ft swell and a strong offshore wind, but the energy is 5702 and the report says it’s too big for this break. The afternoon is a near gale with rain – forget it.

The rest of the run from Sunday the 9th through Tuesday the 11th is all big, messy, or too large. Monday the 10th has 18ft swell – that’s just massive. Too big for paddle surfing. The morning of Tuesday the 11th has 13ft with a cross-off wind and very long period (18 seconds), but again, it’s too big for this break.

Best on offer: Wednesday the 29th morning, Friday the 31st afternoon, and the absolute standout is Tuesday the 4th of August – both sessions. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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