La Derecha del Cartel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, the first week or so is pretty flat. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak swell and very ordinary conditions. Through the first few days, the swell is tiny—mostly around 1 ft to 1 ft—and the energy is next to nothing. It’s not until around Sunday, September 6th that we see a tiny bump, but even then, it’s only 4 ft and the period is short at 6 seconds, so it’s not going to offer much. The combined energy is only 111 (moderate wave energy), but honestly, the quality is just not there. You’ll be waiting for sets that never really come.

The real standout, and the only time I’d get excited, is Tuesday morning, September 8th at La Derecha del Cartel. The swell is small at 2 ft, but it’s coming from the NW with a period of 11 seconds, which is a long-period groundswell. The combined energy reads 131 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is glassy—dead calm. That means the surface will be like a mirror. For a reef break that’s exposed to NW swell, this is the best window we’ve got. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no worries there. Keep in mind, this spot can get crowded, so you’ll want to be early.

The second half of the week picks up a little energy. Thursday morning, September 10th sees 4 ft from the NE with an 8-second period, combined energy at 145 (moderate wave energy), and glassy conditions again. That’s another decent morning, but the swell direction is NE, not the optimum NW, so the shape won’t be as good as Tuesday.

After that, it fades again. There’s a gap of several days with nothing worth paddling for. The next real chance comes Wednesday morning, September 16th: 4 ft from the NE, 7-second period, combined energy of 122 (moderate wave energy), with a light offshore breeze from the SE. It’s clean, but again, the short period and direction mean it’ll be a bit mushy and won’t have the same punch as the 11-second groundswell we had earlier.

To be honest, if you’re looking for the best of the bunch, that Tuesday the 8th is your window. Get in before the wind picks up.

Later on, Friday morning, September 18th has 3 ft from the NE with a 7-second period, combined energy at 127 (moderate wave energy), and clean conditions. It’s another option, but it’s nothing special. The long-range outlook after that is pretty quiet, with only small, weak pulses.

Bottom line: the first week is mostly a wait, but Tuesday morning the 8th is the one to circle. The rest is small and ordinary.

Stay tuned, waves can turn around quick.

- Rusty

Read more