Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checkin’ in on the local bank. The long-range charts are lookin' lively, but it's gonna take a bit of patience. We’ve got a stretch of cross-onshore wind and lumpy water to sit through, but once the wind swings, there’s a couple of real standouts on the horizon.

The first few days are a write-off, honestly. The swell is there, but it’s messy. Sunday the 23rd, the ocean is a mess with a 5ft SSW swell crossed up by a solid 16 mph cross-on. The combined wave energy is 1145, which is a moderate push, but it’s blown out. You’d be better off polishin’ the wax job than paddling out. That continues through Monday the 24th – an 8ft swell on Monday morning and a 8ft one in the afternoon, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. The energy is definitely building (up to 2881), but the quality isn’t there.

Tuesday the 25th, we get a little tease. A 6ft SSW swell on the morning with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NW. It’s small and the energy is back down to 1048, but it’s a sign of things to come.

The first real standout is Wednesday morning, August 26th at Fourth Beach. This is the one. You’ll want to be on it. The charts are showing a 7ft SW swell cleanin’ up under a light NW cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is pumpin’ at 2319, and the conditions are listed as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with a 14-second period, giving you proper shape. It’s an advanced spot, so you’ll need to know what you’re doin’, but if you’ve got the skills, the rewards are there. The water temp is about 62°F, which is normal for this time of year.

The middle of the week gets a bit wild again. Thursday the 27th, we’ve got an 12ft swell with a 16-second period, but a 19 mph cross-on wind (fresh breeze) makes it a lumpy, poor mess. The energy is huge at 9989, but it’s not for a paddle board. The wind and size combo on the beach-and-reef setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a traditional surfer. Friday the 28th is similar, just smaller.

Now, the next big standout. Sunday morning, August 30th through Monday morning, August 31st. This is a solid run. On Sunday morning, an 8ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period rolls in under a clean NE cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is strong at 3643. The afternoon holds at 8ft with a glassy 6 mph ENE cross-offshore wind. Then Monday morning, we’ve got a 6ft SSW swell with a 20-second period and a clean offshore wind from the NNW. This is a groundswell pumping hard, and the longer period means better shaped waves and more energy between sets. At this size, over 8ft, it’s still in the expert zone, but the conditions make it a worthy paddle.

The weekend of September 5th and 6th is a big, long-range possibility. Saturday morning, September 5th, a 10ft SW swell with a 15-second period and a gentle offshore breeze from the north. The energy is a massive 3865. That’s a heavy, powerful swell, and it’s all for the experienced crew. The Sunday morning after that is an 8ft swell, but the wind is back to cross-onshore, so it’s not as clean.

The very end of the run, Monday September 7th, the models are spittin' out a 16ft, 20-second giant from the SSW. The energy is off the charts at 16828. The wind is manageable, but that size is just too big for this break. It’ll be a foaming, angry mess, not a surfable wave. That’s a day to watch from the cliff.

So, to sum it up: if you’re a strong surfer, your best bet is Wednesday morning, August 26th for the best combo of size and clean conditions. Then keep your eyes on Sunday, August 30th through Monday, August 31st for a longer run of quality, powerful groundswell.

Rusty.

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