La Santa - El Quemao Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks over at La Santa - El Quemao.

It’s a frustrating forecast right from the get-go. We’ve got a long wait ahead with no good surf at all for the first week. The whole period from now through to the start of September is borderline unsurfable due to persistent cross to cross-onshore winds that just won’t let up. The swell is small and weak for the next few days, then builds, but the wind absolutely kills any hope of quality. It’s a real shame because the wave energy does pick up significantly – especially on Sunday the 23rd of August when we see a jump in the combined energy (1185) – but the wind is still cross-onshore and the conditions are described as "fairly choppy". It’s just not happening.

The situation doesn't really improve through the week starting the 24th of August. The swell gets bigger, into the 6ft to 6ft range, but with moderate to fresh cross and cross-onshore winds, the surface is just lumpy and choppy. The wave heights climb further into the 7ft to 8ft range by the end of August and into early September, but the wind remains a problem, blowing strong and messy. These are not clean, surfable waves – this is kite-surf territory with that consistent cross-shore wind.

The only flicker of something slightly less awful comes on Sunday the 23rd of August afternoon. The swell kicks up to 5ft from the NNW with a long period of 14 seconds, and the energy jumps right up (1185). The wind is a gentle cross-onshore, so it’s not clean, but it’s the least rough it’s going to be all week. Even then, the guidance says it’s a "marginal" call.

Then we hit a real storm window around the 28th and 29th of August. Swell hits 10ft from the NNE, which is expert-only territory (over 8ft) and the combined energy is massive (1478). The wind is still strong cross-shore though, creating a messy cross-chop. That’s raw power, but it’s going to be a battle with the wind.

Honestly, there’s no standout session in this entire 16-day window. It’s a dry spell, plain and simple. The one afternoon on the 23rd is the closest we get to something ridable, but even that's a stretch. The water temperature is a touch warmer than normal at 75°, but that’s little comfort when you’re fighting a choppy, wind-affected lineup.

Keep an eye on it, because forecasts change. But as it stands, I’d save the wax for another time.

- Rusty

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