Marengo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, checkin' in with the local outlook for Marengo. We've got a bit of a mixed bag on the way, but there's light at the end of the tunnel for the more experienced crew.

Right off the bat, the first few days of the period are a washout. Monday and Tuesday, the 17th and 18th, are blown out with onshore breezes and choppy junk. Don't even think about it. The surf is just not there for a paddle.

Wednesday the 19th gets a little cleaner as the wind swings cross-off in the afternoon, but the swell is tiny at only 2 ft from the SW. You're just not gettin' anywhere on that.

Now, things start to turn around on Thursday the 20th. The morning shows a cleaner 7 ft, but that's a short period windswell from the west at only 8 seconds, which means it'll be lumpy and fat. The better news is Thursday afternoon: a clean, offshore wind kicks in. The swell drops right off to 2 ft, but it's lined up from the SW with a 16 second period. That's genuine groundswell making it in, offering clean little lines. The wave energy is moderate at 275.

The standout stretch kicks in on Friday the 21st of August. We get gentle to moderate offshore winds from the west, locking in clean conditions. The swell sits at a solid 5 ft from the SW, but with that 15 second period behind it. This is where it gets good. The combined energy hits a strong 1261. This is a proper, long-period groundswell. That kind of period gives you waves with shape and push, but it'll be a bit walled-up and straight at a beach. For a reef-and-point set-up like Marengo, this is prime. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for the time of year, so a 4/3mm will do you fine.

Saturday the 22nd is the absolute peak. Offshore winds continue, and the swell bumps up to 6 ft to 7 ft from the SW with that same 15 second pulse. The wave energy is very strong, hitting 1581 in the morning and 2002 in the afternoon. This is excellent, powerful surf, but with the size pushing over 7 ft and that powerful groundswell, this one's for the experienced crew only. Beginners, sit this one out on the sand. The crowds can show up sometimes at Marengo, but with waves this good, expect a few locals out for sure.

Sunday the 23rd still offers great potential with a clean 7 ft from the SW and a 16 second period, though the wind goes a little cross-off. The energy is massive at 3085. Again, expert territory.

After that, the week from the 24th onwards fades. The swell stays around 3-5 ft, but the winds turn messy again, or the conditions are just marginal. By the time we hit the end of the month, there's a massive 16 ft pulse on Saturday the 29th from the WSW, but it's blown out by strong onshore winds. That's a big, ugly mess for a paddle. Kite surfers might have a field day.

So to wrap it up: be patient through the slop early on. The real window is from Friday the 21st through to Sunday the 23rd. Friday is the pick for the average surfer, with that clean, solid 5 ft, manageable size, and beautiful offshore wind. Saturday and Sunday are there for the experts to go large. Don't miss it.

Stay wet,
Rusty

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