Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Kelso (Happy Wanderers) over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with a few clean windows, but we’ll have to be patient.

The overall pattern starts off pretty average and gets worse before we see a glimmer of hope. After a period of poor conditions, the week closes out with a small, glassy stand-out day that’s worth a look.

To start, we have a few marginal days. On Tuesday, July 21st, the morning brings a 4ft SE swell with a period of 12 seconds. The combined energy hits 670 (moderate), but the wind is a light NE onshore breeze which keeps things a bit bumpy. The afternoon sees that swell hold at 5ft but the breeze picks up to 9 mph, and the energy climbs to 850, but still, it’s not the cleanest.

Wednesday, July 22nd, is a write-off. A 4ft SSW swell creeps in, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore, making the surface choppy. The energy is still decent at 917, but the conditions are poor.

Thursday, July 23rd, things start to clean up. The morning is still a bit raw with a 3ft SSW swell at 14 seconds and 464 energy, but the wind is a clean cross-offshore. The afternoon is the real pick of the week. The swell stays at 3ft from the SSW with a period of 13 seconds, the energy drops to 317, but the wind goes light and cross-offshore. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and for a 2/10 score, this is it. The water is about average for the time of year.

Friday, July 24th, is a no-go. The morning brings a 8ft SSW swell, but it’s short period at 8 seconds and the wind is a strong cross-off breeze. The energy is 944, but it’s big and messy. The afternoon is a 6ft S swell, still rough with a cross-shore chop.

Saturday, July 25th, is a skip. The morning has a 5ft SSW swell at a very long 15 seconds, with a 1521 energy reading, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy. The afternoon is similar.

From Sunday, July 26th, through to Saturday, August 1st, we have a long stretch of poor surf. The swell is generally small, the wind is consistently cross-onshore from the NE, and the energy readings are dropping into the low hundreds. It’s a real dry spell.

But then, the real stand-out arrives. On Wednesday, July 29th, the morning is a treat. The swell is only 3ft from the S with a period of 9 seconds, but the wind is dead calm, glassy. The energy is low at 362, but the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is that rare, clean session where the ocean is flat and smooth. The afternoon sees a long period 16-second SSW swell arrive at 3ft, the energy jumps to 706, but the wind goes light cross-onshore, so the morning is the clear winner.

After that, from Thursday, July 30th, right through to Wednesday, August 5th, it’s a poor run. The wind stays onshore, the swell is small and inconsistent, and the energy readings drop into the double digits. On Wednesday, August 5th morning, the combined energy is only 54, which is weak. It’s a flat spell.

So, the best bet is clear: Thursday, July 23rd afternoon for the cleanest cross-offshore conditions, and Wednesday, July 29th morning for that rare, glassy, clean surf. The morning of the 29th is the true standout – it’s the only session with no wind at all.

Keep your eyes peeled, and don’t bother with the other days.

Rusty.

Read more