La Paloma Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this out there. It’s a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks, and we’re looking at a few clean windows sandwiched between some choppy, less-inspiring days. The water’s sitting at about 68° right now, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no need to dig out the extra rubber just yet.

The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until Wednesday morning, September 9th. Before that, it’s mostly small and messy. Tuesday has that onshore chop and poor conditions, so it’s a good day to do admin or fix your fins. Wednesday morning, though, we’ve got a glassy 3ft of NW swell rolling in at La Paloma. It’s clean, the wind is dead, and it’ll be worth a paddle. It’s not huge, but it’s a start. That NW swell direction is right in line with what this break wants, and the energy is moderate (398). Thursday is similar story – a bit more size at 4ft but still glassy in the morning. Both mornings are looking like a better bet than the afternoons, which get a little lumpy.

There’s a bit of a lull over the weekend. Friday drops right off to almost nothing, and Saturday is tiny, with the swell gone and only a ghost of a pulse. That period from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon is a write-off. You’re looking at a couple of days with not much to offer.

But hold on. Sunday, September 13th, is where it starts to get interesting. The morning brings a clean 5ft of NW groundswell at 13 seconds, with the wind going glassy again. The energy jumps up to 722, which is solid. This is the first standout of the period. The swell is pushing in with some grunt, and the surf will definitely have some shape to it. The drop-off in the afternoon is real, so get on it early.

The start of the next week is still okay, but it’s not as good as that Sunday. Monday and Tuesday have waist-high waves that are clean enough in the morning, but the quality fades. Wednesday and Thursday see a bit more size again, 5 to 6ft, but the wind is cross and it’s messing things up. It’s surfable, but not great.

Now, for the real tease. During the middle of next week, there’s a pulse of swell coming for Friday, September 18th. The morning shows a glassy 8ft of N swell, with an 8-second period. That’s over head-and-a-half, which puts it firmly in the realm of experienced surfers only. The energy is strong (744), but that short period is a bit of a gamble. It could be a bit crumbly and sections might close out, but if you pick the right bank, there could be a few fun ones. That’s a call for the crew who know the break well.

After that, the surf settles down again. The weekend after is back to small, clean but weak surf. The real story is that the promising stuff is all in the first week and the brief window on the 18th. We’re also looking at a possible pulse of long-period energy on Sunday the 20th, but that’s over a week out, so I’d be a little cautious. It’s promising, for sure, but not something to set your alarm for just yet. That one is more of a maybe.

Overall, if you can get out on Sunday the 13th, that’s your best bet. The Friday the 18th is for the dedicated and the brave, but it might just be a bit too unruly. The rest of the time, you’ll be hunting for a clean bank during the early sessions.

Rusty.

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