Long Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the Long Beach area.

Straight up, this is a run for the experienced crew only. The first real window of quality surf kicks off on Wednesday, September 2nd, with a solid 10ft SW groundswell. The period is a meaty 13 seconds, which means proper lines and plenty of energy – the combined swell energy is a massive 2723 (that’s strong to very strong). The water is sitting at 58°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent suit. The wind is a gentle offshore from the south, making Long Beach (sandbar) clean as a whistle. This is the standout session of the whole forecast. It’s excellent surf for experienced surfers, but that 10ft is pushing into expert territory for most. It’s not a beginner wave.

After that, things get messy. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are a write-off with near gale to gale force winds tearing up the surface. The swell is there, but the quality is zero. Saturday the 5th is more of the same – strong winds, poor conditions.

Sunday the 6th brings a bit of hope. The morning session is a bit of a gamble with a 7ft SW swell but a very long 18-second period. That long period at a sandbar can make things a little too straight, but the afternoon looks much cleaner. By Sunday afternoon, the wind goes light and cross-offshore, and there’s a 6ft SW groundswell (16-second period) with moderate wave energy (2076). That’s a solid session for experienced surfers again, and the clean conditions are a major positive.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are poor again with onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell drops right off. There’s a gap of a few days with no real recommendations.

The surf tries to pick up again around Friday, September 11th. The afternoon session shows a 4ft WSW swell with clean conditions and light winds, giving some surfable waves. It’s not a standout, but a decent option for a paddle.

Saturday, September 12th, sees a new 10ft SE swell come through, but it’s short period (7-8 seconds) and cross-shore winds, making for a lumpy, choppy mess. That’s more of a kite-surfing day than a clean paddle session.

The next real glimmer of hope is on Sunday, September 13th, in the afternoon. The wind drops to a slight air, and there’s a 4ft SSW groundswell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is 1096 (moderate), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your second-best window of the whole outlook, and it’s a week and a half away.

The final week is a mixed bag. The morning of Thursday, September 17th, looks clean with a gentle offshore wind and a 5ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (977), and it’s “expect good surf conditions.” The afternoon of the same day looks even better: a 5ft SW swell with the same gentle offshore, and a higher energy reading of 1332. This is a promising end to the run, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

To sum it up: the best wave on offer is Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd, with that big, clean SW groundswell. Your second-best shot is the afternoon of Sunday, September 13th. Don’t bother with the rest unless you’re desperate.

Rusty.

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