Lincoln City Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: looking at this whole window for Lincoln City, we’re not exactly spoiled for choice. The next week and a half is mostly a write-off—cross-shore winds, choppy conditions, and not much push.

The water is a big story early. It’s sitting at 53°, which is a massive 7° colder than normal for this time of year. That’s not a little cooler; that’s straight-up bone-chilling. Suit up properly, or you’ll be out after one wave.

We’ve got a rough patch ahead. From Monday morning through Saturday afternoon, it’s basically poor. The swell stays tiny, and the wind is all over the place—cross-onshore and cross. You’ll see some energy readings around 228 to 670 (moderate) but it’s not doing anyone any favors with the chop. Tuesday morning is marginal at best, with a light cross-on breeze and a 2ft swell, but it’s not worth getting wet for.

Now, Sunday the 21st – that’s our one real keeper. Friday morning, actually. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s rewind.

Thursday the 20th is still mostly junk, but the energy is building – up to 670 (moderate) with a 5ft swell from the WNW. The wind is light, but still cross-onshore, so it’s messy.

Then comes Friday morning, the 21st. This is the standout. Glassy conditions, light W wind, and a clean 3ft WNW swell at 10 seconds. The energy is 405 (moderate). It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and that’s everything. The period is still on the shorter side, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but it’s the best we’ve got. Get out early; the afternoon turns marginal.

After that brief flash, we slide back into the mundane. Saturday the 22nd brings a short, weak NW swell at 7 seconds. The energy drops, and the wind picks up again. It’s poor. Sunday the 23rd is worse, with a strong cross-shore wind and a tiny, jumbled sea.

The following week is pretty flat. There’s a hint on Tuesday the 25th afternoon of a 5ft NNW swell, but it’s only 6 seconds of period and light cross-on wind. That’s just mush. The energy is there (502 – moderate), but it’s not going to hold up. A couple of other marginal windows pop up, like the 26th and the 1st of September, but they’re all plagued by cross-onshore winds and weak, short-period swell. The energy readings stay in the moderate range, but wave quality is the problem.

So there you have it. One solidly glassy morning on the 21st, surrounded by a lot of choppy, weak surf. If you’re desperate, that’s the one to chase. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain. We’ll see what happens.

Stay warm.

Rusty

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