Horse Trails Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your wettie, ‘cause things are looking tasty for Horse Trails. This spot is a classic sandbar set-up that’s fairly exposed to the dominant SW swell, and in this forecast window it’s gonna see some serious action. We’ve got a big run coming your way, so let’s break it down.

The week kicks off with a strong pulse of SW groundswell. Friday, July 24th, we’ve got a solid 10 ft SW swell with a period of 14 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The cross-on breeze from the SSW isn't doing it any favours, and with a combined energy of 3536, this is heavy. It’s going to be raw and powerful, and honestly, for most of us, it’s too big. Stick to the smaller stuff or the inside reform if you’re game.

Water temps are sitting a bit colder than normal, around 57°, which is a good reminder why we have steamer hoods.

The real magic, the absolute standout of the whole window, drops on Saturday morning, July 25th. The swell eases to a still beefy 7 ft from the SW, but the wind swings to a clean, cross-off SE breeze at only 10 km/h. The conditions are just... perfect. Clean lines, moderate energy (1961), and that classic Horse Trails shape. This is your window for expert-level performance surfing. The water will be clean, tide favourable, and it's just on. If you only make one call in the next week, make it Saturday morning.

Sunday, July 26th, keeps the goodness going, with a lighter glassy morning. The swell drops to 7 ft and the wind goes completely glassy. The combined energy is still a healthy 1398, and the period holds at 12 seconds. It’s going to be picturesque, but watch the tide and the afternoon cross-on trying to mess it up.

Monday, July 27th, is when the wheels fall off. That big SW swell gets hit by a strong SSE wind at 25 mph, creating an absolute washing machine. The combined energy spikes to 3545, but with 16-second period and that wind, it’s pure chaos. The morning is a write-off, and the afternoon is still a messy, lumpy mess. This is a day for the beach or a coffee, not a surf.

Tuesday, July 28th, the swell re-fires back up to 10 ft, and this time the winds are looking much better – light, cross-off ESE breezes. The energy is massive at 3803, but again, that’s too much power for a sandbar. Only the most experienced chargers will be out there, and they’ll need a jet ski to get out. Strong currents and heavy drops. Not for the faint-hearted.

From Wednesday, July 29th, onwards, the sizes start to drop, and the quality improves for the rest of the week. We’re looking at fun, manageable 6 ft to 4 ft SW swells with light winds. Thursday morning, July 30th, is a glassy 5 ft day (543 energy) – great for a longboard on the inside. And Friday, July 31st, the afternoon comes in clean and glassy again at 5 ft (711 energy). Strong and consistent fun.

Then there’s a quiet gap into the first week of August. A few small swells, some cross-on winds, but nothing you’d paddle for in a hurry.

But hold on. Look further out. August 5th, Wednesday morning, the ocean flips the switch again. We get a glassy, 8 ft SW groundswell with a long 14-second period and a combined energy of 2451. That’s "excellent for experienced surfers". The wind is dead calm. It’s going to be epic and clean, with powerful lines. This will be the second standout of the window – a proper, long-range call but one worth circling on the calendar. After that, the sizes just keep climbing, and by August 6th through 8th, we’re back into 12 ft to 13 ft territory. Those days are strictly for the professionals and the tow crews – the energy will be over 5000, which is very strong. It’s going to be a sight to see, but a nightmare to paddle.

So, to sum it up: Saturday July 25th morning is your absolute number one. The best combination of size, wind, and cleanliness. Then, keep your eyes on Wednesday August 5th for the next big, clean round of standout waves. The rest is a mix of decent windows and heavy, expert-only slabs.

Rusty.

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