Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s cooking for Horse Trails.

We’re looking at a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s a mixed bag. The water is sitting at 55°F – that’s a good 5°F colder than what’s normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thick wetsuit if you’re paddling out.

The real standout is Thursday morning, September 3rd. It’s clean, the wind is a light cross-offshore at 6 mph from the SE, and we’ve got a 6ft groundswell rolling in from the WSW with a 13-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 1138, but the quality is there – expect very good conditions. It’s not too big, not too small, and that wind will keep the face smooth. This is the session to target.

Now, the afternoon of the 3rd gets messy. The swell jumps to 12ft from the S with a shorter 9-second period, and the wind cranks up to 28 mph cross-off. That’s big and bumpy – more for the kite crew than a paddle surfer. The energy reading hits 2326, but with that wind, it’s a battle.

Friday the 4th through the weekend is a write-off. The swell stays too big (8ft to 10ft), and the wind is strong – 22 to 25 mph. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Keep the board in the car.

We get a break on Sunday the 6th. Sunday morning, September 6th is the other standout. It’s clean, with a gentle 9 mph cross-off breeze from the ESE, and a 7ft SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. That’s serious energy (2719), and the period is long enough to create some proper, powerful lines. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the size and power will push you, but the conditions are right. The long period might make it a bit straight at the beach, but Horse Trails handles it well.

Sunday afternoon drops off slightly, and then from Monday the 7th through the middle of the week, the surf fades. Swells drop below 7ft, wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions become marginal. There are a few clean windows on the 12th and 13th with 6ft to 4ft SW swell and light cross-off winds, but nothing that will have you cancelling plans.

The second week gets real interesting but less certain. Sunday morning, September 13th is a promising call – clean, light wind, 6ft SW groundswell at 13 seconds. The energy is strong at 1893. It’s a good session for experienced surfers if the forecast holds. Then, from the 17th into the 18th, the swell absolutely hammers in: 10ft to 16ft, with energy readings over 11,000. That’s very strong to extreme energy, but it’s way too big for most. The wind is fresh to strong, so expect lumpy, challenging conditions. Only for the brave or the kited out.

Crowds? At Horse Trails, they are sometimes a factor, but with the conditions being hit or miss, you’ll find your own peak if you pick the right window.

Rusty.

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