La Derecha del Cartel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at La Derecha del Cartel.

We're looking at a classic case of patience being a virtue. The start of the period is a total write-off. Monday, the 3rd of August, has a tiny 1ft swell with a weak 21 units of energy. It’s just not happening. That pretty much sets the tone for the next several days. We're staring down a gap of about five days of flat to near-flat conditions, with nothing worth paddling out for. The first real sign of life doesn't show up until Thursday afternoon, the 6th of August.

That Thursday afternoon is when things finally kick off. The swell jumps to 5ft from the NE, with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy reads at a moderate 202 units, and with a clean offshore wind from the SE, it’s going to be a fun, punchy session. That’s the first standout, but it's a bite-sized window.

The real gem, and the one I'm circling on the calendar, is the stretch from Monday the 17th of August through Tuesday the 18th. This is the best the forecast has to offer. On Monday morning, we’ve got a 4ft NE swell, a period stretching to 8 seconds, and a solid 219 units of energy. The wind is glassy, dead calm. That afternoon sees 5ft swell with 250 units of energy and glassy conditions. It’s going to be clean, lined up, and absolutely perfect for that reef. Then Tuesday keeps the momentum with 4ft NE swell, the period pushing out to 9 seconds, and energy hitting 280 units under glassy conditions. That’s the pick of the fortnight. Keep in mind this is a long-range call, so it’s a promising prospect, not a guarantee, but it looks fantastic.

Now, before that, we get another window. Tuesday afternoon, the 11th of August, sees a 6ft NE swell, but it's a short 6-second period. The energy is a strong 299 units, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the S. That’s a solid wave, but that size and short period can make it a bit of a handful and maybe a bit messy. Still, it’s worth a look. The following days, the 12th and 13th, have consistent 4ft to 5ft NE swell with moderate energy, but the wind is variable, and the quality is just "ordinary" rather than excellent.

The water temp is sitting at 73°F, which is basically bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The entire second week is a bit of a mixed bag. After that Tuesday the 11th highlight, the swell stays around 4ft to 5ft, but the wind gets messy, mostly onshore from the NW, which will make it a bumpy, blown-out affair. Avoid the 14th, 15th, and 16th of August. The wind is just wrong for this spot.

For the true standout, you’re looking at the 17th and 18th of August. Clear skies, glassy conditions, and a solid, moderate swell with good energy. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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