Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty checkin’ in from Horse Trails.

Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the way at Horse Trails. It’s a sandbar that’s fairly exposed to the swell window, and it’s fairly consistent overall, so there’s plenty to get excited about. The water is sitting at 56° which is much colder than what you’d normally expect for this time of year – that anomaly of -4° is notable, so bring the thick rubber.

The action kicks off Saturday morning (August 15). We’re looking at a clean 6ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, which is nice and long. The wind is glassy out of the SE at 3 mph, so it’ll be smooth. The combined swell energy is at 1100 – moderate – but it’s a quality start. This is the real standout of the whole outlook: a proper clean morning with a good groundswell. Afternoon gets a bit cross-on and drops off.

Sunday (August 16), the morning is clean again. Swell picks up to 6ft from the WSW, period still 14 seconds, and wind is cross-off from the N at 9 mph – looking very clean. Energy jumps to 1403. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s a close second to Saturday morning. Afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-on breeze.

Monday (August 17) sees the swell build into the 8ft range from the WSW with a 13-second period. That’s getting into big territory – for the experienced crew only. Wind is light cross-on from the NW in the morning, but still manageable. Combined energy is a massive 2528 – strong wave energy. Still, the wind angle isn’t perfect, so it’s less of a standout.

Tuesday (August 18) and Wednesday (August 19) keep the size around 8ft from SW, but Wednesday morning (August 19) delivers a glassy window with the same 8ft swell – that’s a solid option for the experts. Energy is 1632. The rest of the week is a mix of cross and cross-on winds keeping things just okay.

Friday (August 21) and Saturday (August 22) drop down to around 6ft, but winds go onshore and cross-on, so quality slips. Not much to write home about.

Sunday (August 23) brings in a bigger push: 7ft from the SSW, 12-second period, and a cross wind at 9 mph. Energy is 3008 – very strong. But it’s not glassy, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

Now, Monday (August 24) – this one’s interesting. The morning has 8ft from the SSW with a very long 15-second period. Combine that with the energy reading of 2896 and a light cross wind, and you’ve got a powerful, very long-period groundswell. This kind of swell can be tricky on a sandbar – it can break too straight – but if you find a bank that works, the waves will have real push. The afternoon drops to 7ft SSW with 14 seconds. This morning is a promising highlight for the second week, but less certain.

Tuesday (August 25) afternoon turns glassy again with a 6ft SW swell – a small, clean session for those who want an easy paddle.

Wednesday (August 26) morning is another big one: 8ft from the SW with a 16-second period – even longer period than Monday. Energy is 3097. Wind is cross-off from the N at 12 mph, so it will be clean but powerful. Again, that long period on a sandbar means packs more of a punch and can be straight, but if you’re a charger, this is a window to watch.

After that, the energy fades through the end of August, with smaller slow period swell and onshore or cross-onshore winds. Friday (August 28) has poor conditions with the smallest swell of the run.

The best on offer overall: Saturday morning (August 15) for the combination of glassy winds, good size (6ft), and long-period WSW swell. Sunday morning (August 16) is a close second with clean, cross-off winds and bigger swell (6ft). After that, there are some big, clean windows for experts, but the wind is never quite as perfect again.

So, keep your eyes on that first weekend – that’s where the magic sits.

Rusty.

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