Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a fair bit of swell in the 16-day window, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor. There are a couple of real standout moments, but also some long quiet spells.

The absolute best bet is Monday, August 3rd at Kelso (Happy Wanderers). This is a point break, good for intermediate surfers, and it’s fairly consistent. The morning is crystal clear with a glassy 3 mph wind from the southeast. The swell is a solid 7ft out of the ESE with an 11-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is 1189, so it’s got some serious punch. The water temp is 71°, which is a bit warmer than usual for this time of year. That morning window is the one to aim for. The optimum swell direction is from the south, so this ESE swell will be wrapping in, but the quality is still the best of the whole forecast.

The afternoon of the same day gets a bit messy with a light cross-onshore breeze, but that Monday morning is pure gold.

After that, it’s a big gap. From Tuesday, August 4th through to Saturday, August 8th, the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf quality is poor. You’re looking at about 4 or 5 days where you should just leave the board at home.

We get a slight tease on Saturday, August 8th morning. The swell jumps back to 6ft from the SSW with an 11-second period, and the energy is 1136, but the wind is onshore, and the conditions are iffy. Not worth it.

Then, for the experienced crew only, Monday, August 10th morning brings a big 10ft swell from the SSW. The period is a short 9 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell, and the wind is a strong 22 mph cross-offshore. That’s a lot of power (2260 energy), but it’s raw and heavy. The wave face is clean, but it’s for experts only. The same goes for Tuesday, August 11th morning, with 10ft from the south and a 14-second period, giving a massive 3297 energy. The wind is a light cross-shore, making it a little better, but it’s still a big, powerful ocean.

The rest of the second week into mid-August is mostly a write-off. The wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is either too small or too messy. There’s a small window on Tuesday, August 18th morning with 5ft of SSW swell and a clean cross-offshore wind, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak.

So, the bottom line: Monday, August 3rd morning is your best shot for clean, fun waves. The 10th and 11th of August have the size, but only if you’re experienced and hungry. The rest of the time, you’re better off watching from the beach.

Rusty.

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