La Barra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got one spot on the radar, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first few days have some nice clean windows, but the afternoons turn to crap pretty consistently. The standout period is the very end of the forecast and into early September. That’s where the real magic is hiding.

Starting off on Wednesday, August 19th, the morning is looking sweet. La Barra will have clean, glassy 3 ft SSW groundswell with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a long period, so expect some real energy and long lulls between sets. The combined swell energy is moderate at 452. It’s a river/jetty setup, so that long-period swell should wrap in nicely. Water temp is about average for this time of year. The wind is glassy and offshore from the NNW. This is a proper session. But don’t hang around; by the afternoon the wind swings onshore from the south and it gets choppy.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are a repeat: glassy, clean mornings with 3 ft to 4 ft S swell and light offshore or calm winds. The period drops a bit on Friday to 11 seconds, but it’s still clean. The energy is moderate. Mornings are your only window though; the afternoons get trashed by a 12 mph cross-onshore wind.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd follow the same pattern. Saturday morning is glassy with a 3 ft S swell. Sunday morning has a slightly smaller 2 ft SSW swell, but with a longer 14-second period and glassy conditions. Again, afternoons are a write-off.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th see the swell drop off a bit, with morning waves around 2 ft to 2 ft. The energy is still there (377 to 350), and the mornings are glassy, but the size is getting small. Still rideable on a log or a funboard.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th the swell really fades. We’re down to 1 ft to 2 ft. The energy drops to weak levels (201 to 127). Thursday morning is only “ordinary” – not worth getting wet for, unless you’re desperate.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Friday the 28th through Saturday the 29th, the wind is ugly. Cross-onshore and onshore winds with choppy conditions. There’s a bit of size on Saturday (4 ft) and a lot of energy (845 to 1064), but the wind is just bad. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one. I’d sit it out.

The real standout is Sunday, August 30th, through Tuesday, September 1st. This is the best stretch by far.

Sunday the 30th is firing. Morning is glassy with a 4 ft SSW swell and 15-second period. Moderate combined energy at 841. By the afternoon it stays clean with offshore NW wind at 3 mph. That’s a full day of fun.

Monday the 31st keeps the party going. Morning glassy, 4 ft SSW swell. Afternoon goes cross-offshore from the west, keeping it clean. The energy stays moderate to strong (608 to 544).

Tuesday, September 1st, is another cracker. Morning glassy with a 4 ft SSW swell, afternoon glassy again with WNW wind. That’s as good as it gets. La Barra will be working, but with crowds marked as “sometimes,” you might have to share the peak. Worth it.

After that, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd look marginal. The swell drops to 2 ft to 3 ft with cross-shore winds and only moderate energy. Not a write-off, but nothing to get excited about.

Overall, the first week is all about the mornings. The second week has a fantastic run from August 30th to September 1st that’s the clear winner. That’s your target.

Rusty.

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