Lymans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are going to be a real test of patience for us at Lymans. We're looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of small, weak surf that's mostly not worth suiting up for. It's one of those times where the ocean just sort of forgets about us for a while.

The swell energy is the big story. For the next week or so, we're seeing readings mostly in the double digits, like 62, 34, and even as low as 13. That's weak, gutless energy that just doesn't have any push. The waves themselves are tiny at 2 to 3 ft – barely moving the needle – and they're coming from every which way but the direction this spot really likes. We're getting a jumbled mess of short-period stuff from the NNE and N, which is never a good look for a reef and point setup like ours. And the wind, while often light, is mostly cross-onshore, putting those little ripples on the surface that just ruin what little shape there is.

There's a promising-looking build in energy around the 20th and 21st, with readings climbing into the 180-190 range. But the swell height stays frustratingly small, and the wind is still not helping out. It's like getting all the ingredients for a great meal and then just leaving them on the counter.

Then we hit a really strange few days right around the 22nd and into the 23rd. The energy numbers jump way up – 218, 234, even 246 – but it's that classic false alarm. The swell is coming from the SSW, which is okay, but it's still only managing a piddly 2 to 3 ft. We do get a glassy moment on the afternoon of the 22nd, which is lovely and the first real chance for a proper surf. That's about the only time in the whole window where the surface is going to be truly clean. It highlights how slow it is when a day of ankle-biters becomes the highlight.

The real tease comes right at the end. The last few days of the window, starting around the 24th, the energy numbers just explode. We're talking 427, then 393, then 398, and a massive 450 on the morning of the 27th. This is the strong, long-period groundswell we've been aching for, finally showing up from the SSW with periods of 15 to 18 seconds. But – and it's a big but – it's still delivering under 3 ft of surf. All that energy and it just can't seem to get any size out of it. The wind also stays mostly onshore or cross-onshore, so even this surge of power isn't translating into clean surf. The one bright spot is the Tuesday afternoon of the 25th, which is forecast to be glassy with that 3 ft of SSW swell. That's going to be the pick of the entire window for sure, the one time it all clicks just enough. Anything over 5 ft isn't on the cards, so beginners won't be overwhelmed, but the lack of waves is the issue for everyone. Also, keep in mind that this long-period swell, while having good energy, can be a bit too straight for a reef and point like ours. The breaks happen, but it's not always the cleanest ride.

For the love of all that's holy, don't expect much before that. The 24th through the 28th is where you should point your energy, but even then, don't plan the party. The Tuesday afternoon of the 25th is the one to mark on the calendar, with that glassy surface promising the cleanest conditions we'll see. The week prior is essentially a write-off, a long gap of several days with nothing on offer. If we're being honest, for much of this, the light winds and small, weak swell mean the setups at the beach look more interesting for the kitesurfers than for us paddle surfers.

As for the water, it's about average for this time of year, so keep the same rubber on. It's not a time for heroics, it's a time for watching the forecast and hoping.

Signing off,
Rusty

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