La Zenia Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the table, and honestly, it's a pretty quiet picture for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we're looking at La Zenia, a reef break here. The water is sitting at 84°F, which is a solid 7°F warmer than what you'd usually expect this time of year – that's very unusual, the ocean is feeling more like a warm bath than a typical summer sea.

For the first real chance at a wave, we've got Thursday afternoon, August 20th. But it's a no-go. You're looking at a messy 3 ft from the south with a short, weak 4-second period, and a stiff 22 mph cross-onshore wind. It’s lumpy and blown out – not worth paddling for.

Friday morning, August 21st, is the only flicker of light. The swell is still small at 3 ft from the south with a 7-second period, but the wind is a light cross-offshore from the WSW at 6 mph. That'll clean things up. It’s surfable, but the combined energy is just 74, which is weak. It's tiny and weak, but if you're desperate for a few small ones, it'll be your best bet in the whole run.

After that, it's a long, flat spell. From Saturday, August 22nd, right through to Thursday, September 3rd, the surf is essentially non-existent. Swell heights barely register, often reading 0 ft, and when there is a tiny bump, it's plagued by onshore or cross-shore winds. You'll find long periods of flat, glassy conditions on the morning of August 30th, but no waves to ride. It's going to be a frustrating stretch.

We finally see a pulse of energy on Friday, September 4th. The swell builds to 4 ft in the morning and 5 ft in the afternoon from the ENE. The period is short at 5 to 6 seconds, and the combined energy gets up to a moderate 124 in the afternoon. However, the trade-off is a fresh cross-onshore breeze hitting 22 mph by the afternoon. It's going to be lumpy and choppy. Because the swell is under 5 ft, it's not huge, but with that wind, it's messy. Honestly, the set-up might be more interesting for kiteboarding than paddle surfing that afternoon.

So, there you have it. A week and a half of nothing, a tiny window Friday morning the 21st, and a messy, windy pulse at the very end. Keep your eyes on the charts, but it’s looking like a good time to fix the dings or find a river to paddle.

Rusty.

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