Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for Horse Trails. This is a sandbar set-up that’s fairly consistent and fairly exposed, so it’s a bit of a workhorse, but we’ve got a real mixed bag coming up. The best looking stuff is tucked away in the middle of the week, so we’ll get there.

The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday the 14th is flat, gutless, with cross-shore wind and barely a ripple. Forget it. Wednesday the 15th is where it perks up, but only for the early birds. Wednesday morning is the standout of the first week. We’re looking at 4ft of WSW groundswell with a long period of 17 seconds, and the wind is dead calm, glassy. That’s going to be clean, lined up, and the combined energy is decent too (1244). It’s a bit of a long period for a sandbar, so expect it to stand up and wall up, but it’ll be good. The water temp is about average for this time of year, no major anomaly.

Later Wednesday afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the SW (16 seconds, 3402 combined energy), but the wind shifts cross-on, and conditions get a bit messy. Thursday the 16th is similar – 8ft swell, but with a cross-shore breeze and only marginal quality. Not worth the paddle if you’re chasing the best of it.

Friday the 17th morning is a solid option. 7ft of SW swell (11 seconds, 913 combined energy) with a cross-offshore breeze, so it’s clean. That’s a good, punchy wave for intermediates. The afternoon drops off with a cross-shore breeze and less energy.

Saturday the 18th morning is worth a mention. The swell drops to 4ft from the south (11 seconds, 507 combined energy), but it’s glassy again. Small, clean, and fun for a longboard or a fish. Sunday the 19th is bigger, 7ft, but the wind is on it, and it’s just not as clean.

Now, Monday the 20th morning is another little sweet spot. 7ft of SSW swell (11 seconds, 1100 combined energy) with a cross-offshore breeze. Clean, punchy, and a solid intermediate wave.

Then things get serious. From Tuesday the 21st through to Thursday the 23rd, we’ve got 10ft of SW groundswell with periods up to 15 seconds. That’s a lot of water and the combined energy is well over 3000. The wind is actually favourable, but the forecast says the swell is too big for this break. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s going to be a beast. The 22nd has a strong offshore wind, so it’ll be clean, but it’s 10ft and 15 seconds. That’s a proper big-wave session.

Friday the 24th drops back to 4ft, but the wind is up and it’s choppy. Not great.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are a mix of small, messy conditions and then another 10ft pulse on Sunday morning that’s again too big for the break.

The real highlight for the second week is Monday the 27th morning. 8ft of WSW groundswell (14 seconds, 2519 combined energy), glassy, and the forecast says excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the one. If you’re an experienced surfer, that’s your session. Tuesday the 28th morning is also very good – 6ft of SW swell (13 seconds, 1460 combined energy), glassy, and again excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a quality run of clean, powerful groundswell.

So, the best on offer is Wednesday the 15th morning for the early glassy 4ft session, and then Monday the 27th morning for the bigger, clean, 8ft groundswell for the experienced crew. There’s a long gap of a few days in between where it’s either too big or too messy, so pick your windows.

Rusty.

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