Lohi's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. The only break we’re talking about is Lohi's, and to be honest, it’s a bit of a waiting game. The first week or so is pretty average, with a lot of cross-shore wind and only small to moderate swell. The real standout window looks like it’s shaping up for the 19th and 21st of August, so mark your calendar for that.

Alright, let’s get into it. The surf kicks off on Friday morning, 7 August, with a 5ft S swell rolling in at 11 seconds. The wind's a cross-shore breeze from the WSW at 12 mph, so it’s not going to be clean. The combined wave energy is moderate, reading 772, but conditions are marginal. This theme hangs around for a few days. Saturday and Sunday are much the same – 4ft to 5ft S swell, cross-shore wind, and a lot of those storm clouds and risk of t-storms making it feel messy. Combined energy hangs between 500 and 800, so it’s got some push but not much quality.

Monday the 10th afternoon shows a glimmer – the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph from the W, going cross-offshore, and the ocean cleans up. Swell’s a modest 4ft from the SSE at 10 seconds with combined energy of 502. The forecast says "expect very good surf conditions," but it’s still a bit small. Tuesday and Wednesday are similar, with cross-off winds and mostly clean faces, but the swell isn’t doing anything special. That said, the water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

Now, the real story starts from the 18th of August. Tuesday morning, the 18th, we see a jump in energy – combined energy hits 1659 from a 4ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period. That’s a groundswell, full of energy, the kind that makes point breaks and reefs sing. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s going to be a bit ripply but punchy. The 19th of August is where it gets interesting. Wednesday morning sees a 4ft S swell, 19-second period, combined energy of 1890 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is light from the WSW at 6 mph, with only small crossing wind ripples. Then Wednesday afternoon, the wind switches to a light WNW cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph, and the surf cleans right up. The 5ft S swell, 18-second period, with combined energy of 1753, is lined up for "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is the standout. It’s a reef break, and with that long-period S swell, it’ll be proper. The crowd can be around sometimes, so expect some company.

The 21st of August is the other standout. Friday afternoon brings a 6ft S swell, 13-second period, with combined energy of 1352. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the W at 6 mph, making for clean, lined-up waves. It’s also "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." The swell is pushing 6ft, so it’s getting into the territory where it’s best for experienced surfers, but the quality is there.

The run finishes on the 22nd, with the swell dropping back to 6ft, moderate period, and cross-shore wind, so it’s back to average.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a bit of a write-off unless you’re desperate. The 19th and 21st of August are the days to go. The 19th has that long-period, clean groundswell, and the 21st has a bit more size. Both are good for experienced surfers, and the reef will handle the long-period swell well. Give it a crack.

Rusty.

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