Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the coming days.

We’ve got a solid run of SW groundswell heading our way, but honestly, for most of this first week the wind is going to mess with the quality. The standout window is going to be the morning of Friday the 21st, and the following Tuesday the 25th also looks like a beauty.

Right now, the water temp is running about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

For the first few days, starting Sunday the 16th, there’s big, powerful swell rolling in. We’re talking 6ft to 8ft of long-period SW groundswell, with 14-second intervals. The combined swell energy is strong, hitting 1384 on Sunday morning and ramping up. But the wind is a problem – it’s coming from the N or WSW, cross-off to on, so the surf is cleanish at best but mostly a bit messy. This is intermediate territory, and the size is pushing past what I’d recommend for beginners. The wave energy is strong (2082 on Sunday arvo), so there’s plenty of push, but it’s not pretty.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th keep that 8ft to 8ft swell going, period dropping to 12-13 seconds. The wind is cross or on, so forget about perfection. The energy stays high (over 2200), but the surface is chopped up. It’s a grind, not a glory day.

Wednesday the 19th into Thursday the 20th is more of the same: 8ft to 8ft SW swell, 12-second period, moderate energy (1457-2291). The wind is still cross, so conditions are only fair at best. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, here’s the first real highlight. Friday morning, 21st of August. The wind swings ENE at just 3 mph – glassy, no wind. The swell drops a touch to 7ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. The combined energy is still solid (1234), but the glassy conditions will make Horse Trails look fantastic. Clean, powerful lines. This is the morning to paddle out. The wind goes onshore in the arvo and it’s over.

Saturday the 22nd has a drop in swell to 4ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-off from the N, so it’s clean but small. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th build back up to 8ft, with the period stretching to 15 seconds on Monday. That’s proper groundswell. But the wind is cross from the S or SSE, so it’s going to be lumpy and bumpy. The energy on Monday morning is very strong (3291), but it’s going to be a fight.

Tuesday the 25th of August is your second standout. Morning has light E wind at 3 mph – glassy again. Swell is 6ft from the SW with a 13-second period. Energy is moderate (1382). The conditions are pristine. The afternoon holds the glass, but it gets cloudy. Go early.

After that, the forecast gets bigger and rowdier. Wednesday the 26th sees 8ft swell with a 17-second period – that’s very long period, which means long lines but a serious paddle out. The wind is cross at 12 mph, so it’s a messy, powerful ocean. Energy is massive (3972). Not a session for the faint-hearted. Thursday the 27th is still big and messy.

Friday 28th of August – and this is a full week and a half out – the swell cranks up to 12ft from the WSW, 15-second period. The combined energy is enormous (5713). This is expert-only territory, and even then, the wind is moderate cross-shore. It’s going to be a beast of a day, and the forecast says it’s likely too big for this break. Watch from the sand.

The last few days of the month keep the swell pumping, with Sunday the 30th hitting 10ft in the arvo but with onshore wind, and Monday the 31st peaking at a massive 13ft with strong cross wind. That’s a serious ocean (6806 energy). Again, expert’s only, and not clean.

So overall: It’s a long, chunky stretch of SW swell. The best windows are short and sharp: Friday 21st morning and Tuesday 25th morning. Get in before the wind or the size shuts it down.

Rusty.

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