Hanamizu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this out there. It’s Rusty.

Plain and simple, the next couple of weeks are going to be a serious test of patience around here. We’ve got a long, dry spell of tiny, weak surf ahead of us. Looking at the guidance, there’s just nothing on the table that’s going to get the heart rate up for a long while. The energy is weak, the swell is small, and most days are a write-off.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until that Monday, the 24th of August. Even then, the morning is still pretty lifeless with a tiny 2ft SSE swell pushing a weak energy reading of 200. The afternoon sees a slight bump to 4ft from the SSE, with moderate energy at 443, but the wind is going to be cross-onshore, which will mess up any chance of it being clean. It’s a sign of life, but not a green light.

The standout, and really the only thing worth circling on the calendar, is the Tuesday morning of the 25th of August. That’s when we finally get a pulse. The swell pushes up to 4ft from the SSE with a nice long 12-second period, and the energy jumps to a solid 493. Most importantly, the conditions are forecast to be glassy. That’s the window. It’s a week and a half away, so don’t book the day off yet, but it’s the most promising thing on the whole board.

For that morning, the call is Hanamizu River. It’s a beach/sandbar break that’s fairly consistent, so it should have some shape. The swell is from the SSE, which matches what this spot wants. It’s a beginner-friendly wave at this size, so it won’t be too heavy. The glassy conditions will be the key – that’s when this place can really shine. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. Just keep in mind, crowds are possible here, so get out early.

Before that Tuesday, you’re looking at a whole lot of nothing. The swell fades out completely, dropping to 1ft and even smaller, with weak energy readings in the 20s and 30s. The wind is messy, the waves are poor, and there’s just no reason to paddle out. It’s a barren stretch, plain and simple. A couple of mornings, like the 22nd, will be glassy, but with only 1ft on tap, it’s not even worth the effort.

So, my honest take? Give it a rest for a week and a half. Let the ocean sort itself out. Then, keep an eye on that Tuesday morning forecast for the 25th. It’s our best shot at a real surf in this entire two-week window.

Rusty.

Read more