Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, let's get into it for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) – it’s a point break, intermediate-level stuff, and it's fairly consistent when the swell lines up right.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start here. The first week is mostly a write-off with a barrage of onshore and cross-onshore winds, mostly from the NE, which is not what this spot wants. The water temp is sitting about 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus if you're hanging in the lineup.

The first session that actually gets my attention is Wednesday morning, July 29. That's when things flip. We get a clean 7ft swell out of the SSE, with a short period (8 seconds) but backed by a proper SSW groundswell. The winds go offshore from the SW at 12 mph, and the combined energy is strong at (1086). This is the standout of the whole outlook. It won't be glassy, but it’ll be clean with that offshore flow pushing the faces up. For a point break like this, that short period should still offer some fun, punchy walls. Just know that north of 5ft, it's getting too pushy for beginners, and at 7ft, this one is strictly for the experienced crew.

Thursday morning, July 30, is another solid call. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SSE, still with 8-second period, and a light SSW breeze at 6 mph making for clean, cross-off conditions. Combined energy is moderate-to-strong at (751). It’s not as big as Wednesday but still a good session if you missed the peak.

After that, the surf backs right down. Friday July 31 and Saturday August 1 are marginal with small clean swell, but it drops off. Then from Sunday August 2 through to the end of the outlook, it turns into a real dry spell. For the next week and a half, there's almost nothing worth paddling out for. Constant NE winds, onshore or cross-onshore, and swell sizes stay under 3ft most days. The only flicker is on Tuesday August 5 with a 5ft ESE groundswell, but the onshore wind and lumpy seas spoil it.

The long-range stuff late in the second week, around August 7-10, is weak – energy values drop below 200 most sessions, and the wind stays messy. Don't hold your breath. That’s just the way this area can be sometimes; a blank run like this is part of the normal rhythm.

So, if you’ve got the skills, get out for Wednesday morning July 29 at Kelso. That’s your best chance for some proper waves in this whole 16-day window.

Rusty.

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