Halfway Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's shaping up at Halfway over the next couple of weeks. It's a mixed bag, but there are some proper moments to get excited about.

We're starting off with a solid pulse of SW groundswell, and the water temp is sitting at a very warm 79°, which is about average for this time of year. For the first few days, from Thursday the 20th through Saturday the 22nd of August, we've got a good 7 ft to 8 ft of SW groundswell rolling in. The combined energy is strong to very strong (3737 at its peak), and the period is a long 16 seconds. This is proper groundswell, meaning better shaped waves, but with that long period it might be a bit straight at the beach; Halfway is a point break though, so it should handle it well. The catch is the wind is cross-off from the SE, so it'll be a bit bumpy, not glassy. You'll need your wits about you – at 8 ft this is getting into expert territory, not one for beginners. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

Then we hit Sunday the 23rd of August morning. This is where it gets spicy. The swell drops a touch to 6 ft from the SSW, but look at that wind – a clean offshore from the ESE at only 9 mph. The wave comment calls it "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers," and I'm with that. The combined energy is still strong (1986), and the period is a very long 15 seconds. This is the pick of the first week. The waves will be clean, hollow, and lined up. If you can handle it, this is the session to target. Sunday afternoon the cross-off comes back, but that morning window is *chef's kiss*.

Monday the 24th through Tuesday the 25th, the swell eases slightly to 6 ft-6 ft, still from the SSW, but the cross-off wind keeps it from being perfect. It's rideable, but not the standout.

Wednesday the 26th sees a noticeable drop in energy, with the combined swell energy falling to 943. The swell is down to 5 ft with a shorter period of 14 seconds. Things go a bit flat and weak.

We get a lull through Thursday the 27th, though the afternoon brings a very long period 19-second SSW groundswell at 3 ft. Combined energy is decent (1563) for such a small wave, so that's a sign of quality lurking underneath. It's marginal.

But hold onto your board, because Friday the 28th of August morning fires up again. A new pulse of SSW swell hits 8 ft with a 16-second period and combined energy of 3313. The wind is a gentle 9 mph from the SSE – cross-off, but very light and the wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers," with a high rating internally. This is another standout. It's big, it's clean-ish, and it's got power. Again, for experts only at that size.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th keep a solid 5 ft to 6 ft of SSW swell going with manageable winds. Decent, consistent surf for the intermediate crew, but the window for absolute perfection is narrow.

Then, into the first days of September, we see a monster setup brewing. Monday the 1st of September afternoon has a 7 ft SSW swell with a very long 20-second period and combined energy of 4528. The wind is light cross-off. The following Tuesday morning (2nd September) is even bigger – 8 ft SW swell, 18-second period, and a combined energy of 4546. These are the two biggest, most powerful swells of the whole outlook. The wave comments both say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers" with top internal scores. The only downside is the consistent cross-off wind, never true offshore, but with that kind of size and period, it'll still produce some bombs. Mid-week sees the swell ease back down to 5 ft-7 ft, still a good run.

By Friday the 4th of September, we're winding down to a 3 ft SSW groundswell with that long 18-second period again – a clean, small day for a longboard or a fish.

Overall, the best on offer without a doubt is the Sunday 23rd of August morning with that clean offshore wind, and a close second is the Friday 28th of August morning for the raw power. Next week's big swells (1st and 2nd September) are seriously promising but with the persistent cross-off winds, they're not quite the perfection of that Sunday slot. Get on it.

Rusty.

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