Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down this forecast, and honestly, the first few days ain’t pretty. We’ve got some junk to wade through before the ocean wakes up.

The early part of this stretch, Tuesday and Wednesday, is a total loss. Small, weak swell with cross-onshore winds has got the surface all chopped up. You’re looking at waves around 2 to 6 feet, but there’s no power behind them and the wind is just ruining any chance of a clean face. Don’t even bother.

There’s a slight improvement on Thursday the 20th. The swell picks up a bit to around 8 feet in the morning from the SSW, but it’s got a short 8-second period, so it’ll be fat and crumbly. The cross-off wind will keep it somewhat clean, but it’s only marginal, you know? It’s a maybe surf, not a must-surf.

Friday is another step back, with fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Saturday morning is small and clean but tiny. The afternoon sees the swell jump to around 10 feet, but again, that short period makes it a close-out mess and the fresh cross-off wind isn't helping.

Now, here’s the one you’ve been waiting for. Sunday the 23rd is the standout of the whole 16 days. The swell pulses to 10 feet in the morning from the SSW, but this time with a solid 13-second period. The energy is huge. The wind is a light cross-off, making the conditions glassy and clean. This is proper groundswell, and for a point break like Kelso (Happy Wanderers), it’s going to line up beautifully. This is for experienced surfers only, it’s a big, powerful wave. The afternoon kicks up to 12 feet with an even longer 15-second period, but there’s a bit more cross-shore wind on it, so it’s not as perfect. If you’re going to get one session in this whole window, it’s Sunday morning.

That’s the peak. After that, it falls off a cliff. The following week is full of small, weak, and onshore conditions. There’s a tiny window on Tuesday the 25th afternoon with a long-period swell, but it’s only around 4 feet, so it’s a grovel at best.

The second week is largely forgettable. There’s a brief pulse on Saturday the 29th to around 8 feet, but with a short 7-8 second period and strong winds, it’s going to be a raw, messy close-out. The rest of the week into September is just small slop.

So, bottom line: don't waste your energy on the early days. Hold out for Sunday the 23rd. That’s the big one, the clear winner. Everything else up to the 2nd of September is just not worth the hype.

Rusty out.

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