Lefthanders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it’s Rusty. Let me level with you – this 16-day stretch at Lefthanders is a real head-scratcher. The place is a very consistent reef break, and there’s plenty of swell coming in from the WSW and SW, much of it long-period groundswell (13 to 18 seconds). But here’s the kicker: for most of the period, the wave heights are well over 8 ft, which makes this a spot strictly for the experts when it’s that big. For a beginner-friendly break, it’s just not the place unless you’re happy getting drilled. Water temp is around 66.4°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

We kick off Tuesday the 25th of August with a rough one. Rain showers, a strong 25 mph cross-onshore from the NW, and 8 ft SW swell (14 seconds) – the combined energy is 2910, but the wind’s just tearing it up. Poor conditions. Tuesday afternoon is similar, with a fresh 22 mph cross-onshore and 10 ft swell. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 26th is where it gets interesting, but not in a good way. Morning sees a 16 ft WSW groundswell with an 18-second period – huge energy (14733) – and the wind turns light cross-shore from the south. Conditions would be clean, but 16 ft is way too big for anyone but the most experienced chargers. Same story Wednesday afternoon: still 16 ft, clean cross-off wind from the SSE, but it’s just too massive. The message is clear.

Thursday the 27th is still pumping with 13 ft SW swell (15 seconds) in the morning, clean cross-off wind from the SSE at 22 mph, but again, too big. The afternoon drops slightly to 11.5 ft, same clean wind – still a solid 5712 on the energy scale. Not the day for a learner.

Friday the 28th the swell finally drops to a more manageable 7 ft in the morning (SW, 12 seconds), with clean cross-off wind. But the energy drops to 1495, and the call says marginal – it’s on the small side, and the tide may not be cooperating. Friday afternoon similar at 5.5 ft. You could get a wave, but it’s not going to be firing.

Saturday the 29th sees a spike again: 7 ft SW swell early (16 seconds), clean cross-off, but only a score of 4 – it’s a bit marginal. The afternoon, however, is the standout for the first week. The swell jumps to 11.5 ft (18 seconds) from the SW, the wind swings light cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph, and the water cleans up nicely. The combined energy is 6697. Now, that’s still big – over 8 ft – so it’s expert territory again, but the conditions are there. If you’re solid and can handle a heavy, long-period groundswell at a reef, this is the session to aim for.

Sunday the 30th: still big, 10 ft SW (16 seconds), but the wind is light cross-shore from the north in the morning – only a light breeze – so it’s clean. Too big for beginners. That afternoon the wind turns light cross-onshore, still 10 ft.

Monday the 31st: finally, a slight drop. The morning brings 8 ft WSW swell (17 seconds) with a light 9 mph onshore from the west. Not ideal. The afternoon sees 10 ft again with a moderate cross-onshore. Not great.

We go into September with a clean-up day on Tuesday the 1st: morning has a light 3 mph cross-onshore from the NNW, 10 ft SW swell (14 seconds). Looks clean-ish, but still 10 ft. That afternoon, a light onshore from the WSW, 8 ft – marginal. Wednesday the 2nd is the true gap – morning has 7.5 ft, onshore, and the score is a

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