Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in on the local surf scene. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks, but there’s some solid windows to get wet if you pick your moments.

The forecast kicks off with a bit of a slow start, but things start to look up from Wednesday, July 15th. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, so the wetsuit choice is standard.

The first real standout is Wednesday, the 15th, at Kelso (Happy Wanderers). We’ve got a clean 7 ft swell coming from the East, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze, so the surf is clean and lined up. It’s a fairly consistent setup, and the combined energy is moderate (814), so there’s some push. This is the best bet for the week.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are more marginal. The swell drops off a bit, and the wind conditions are a bit more mixed, so it’s a good time to check your other options or do a tide check before you paddle out.

The next serious window rolls in on Monday, the 20th. The morning session at Kelso (Happy Wanderers) looks fantastic. A clean 5 ft groundswell from the SE with a 12-second period, and the wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (963), and it’s a fairly consistent point break. This is a solid, clean option.

Now, hold on to your board shorts, because the end of the run is a real wildcard. A massive swell fills in on Wednesday, the 22nd. We’re talking an 8 ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is strong (3452), but the wind is onshore, making for a pretty messy, lumpy surface. It’s a tricky one. This is expert territory due to the size, and the long period will make it a bit wonky on a beach break; it’s a point break, so it might handle it better. The crowds are possible, but the conditions are iffy.

The very best of the entire forecast looks like it might be Thursday, the 23rd. The afternoon session is a potential epic. An 8 ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period, but crucially, the wind is a fresh cross-offshore breeze. The energy is very strong (3114), but the waves should be clean. This is a proper, big, clean groundswell. Again, it’s a big one for experienced surfers only.

The run goes quiet again after the 25th, with a few days of small, messy conditions. The last real call is Tuesday, the 28th. A solid 8 ft SSW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is a fresh cross-offshore. It’s a clean, powerful option, but still a big one.

So, to sum it up: Wednesday, July 15th, and Monday, the 20th, are your clean, intermediate fun days. Thursday, the 23rd, is the big one for the experienced crew, but keep an eye on that wind. The 22nd is a big, messy beast.

Rusty out.

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