Latigo Canyon Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Latigo Canyon over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The surf is hanging around, but it’s not exactly firing. We’re looking at a long-period groundswell rolling in from the SW, with a period of 18 seconds, which is proper long. This kind of swell loves a point break like Latigo Canyon, so the shape should be there, but the energy is moderate—around 744 (moderate). Swell heights are around 4 ft, so it’s not big, but it’s not tiny either. The real issue is the wind. On Monday morning, we’ve got a light breeze from the SSW, which is offshore for this break, and that’s a massive positive. The water is a whopping 72°, which is 7° warmer than normal for this time of year—very unusual, so you’ll be in for a warm one. The only downside is the forecast calls it marginal, and you might get some funny tide issues. Still, with that clean offshore wind, it’s the best window we’ve got in the early days.

Monday afternoon, the wind swings to the west at 9 mph, going cross-shore, and the swell drops a touch to 3 ft from the SSW. It’s cleaner than it looks, but the energy is still moderate at 641. It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Tuesday (28th July) through Thursday (30th July) is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell sticks around 3 ft to 4 ft, from the SSW and then S, with periods still long (15-17 seconds). The wind is mostly cross-on or on, with a light breeze, so the surface is going to be a little bumpy. The energy is moderate but solid, peaking at 947 on Wednesday afternoon. Not terrible, but the wind direction keeps it from being clean. Thursday morning has that S swell at 4 ft with a 15-second period, and a light onshore from the south, so it’s a bit lumpy.

Friday, 31st July, is the pick of the first week. We’ve got a 5 ft swell from the south, with a 14-second period, and the energy is up there at 965 (moderate but strong). The morning starts with a light breeze from the south, which is offshore, so the waves will be clean. This is the biggest swell of the early run, and with offshore wind, it’s the best chance for a proper session. It’s not too big for intermediates, but it’s pushing into that zone where beginners might want to sit it out. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have to share.

From Saturday, 1st August, things start to drop off. The swell falls to 4 ft and then 4 ft, with shorter periods (12-13 seconds), and the energy drops to 499 then 396. The wind is cross-on or cross, so it’s mediocre. By Sunday, 2nd August, we’re down to 2 ft and the energy is a weak 142. The next week, from 3rd August to 11th August, is a dead zone. Swell heights are mostly 1 ft to 2 ft, with energy under 100 most days, and the wind is often onshore or cross. It’s pretty much a full week of no surfing. There’s a tiny blip on 7th August morning with a 2 ft swell from the SSW, 19-second period, and energy at 381, but it’s still marginal and the wind is onshore. Not worth paddling out for.

So, the only true standout is Friday morning, 31st July, for that 5 ft S swell with offshore wind. Get in the water then, because the rest of the 16 days is a write-off. Stay patient, and the forecasts might change.

Rusty.

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