Marengo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s look at the next couple of weeks for our stretch of coast. It’s a mixed bag, so let’s get into it.

The next week to ten days are pretty quiet. There’s swell around, but it’s small and the winds are mostly junk, so we’re looking at a long stretch of waiting for something clean to show up. The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday, August 20th, but even then it’s tiny. The bigger push arrives later, and that’s where the real story is.

Right now, this Sunday morning the 16th, we’ve got a weak 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 929, and it’s clean with a light ESE breeze, but it’s marginal. Water temp is 57°, which is about average for this time of year. It’s a knee-high dribble at best, not worth getting wet for. The afternoon sees a bit more wind and the same small surf.

Monday and Tuesday are more of the same story. Monday gets a touch of size, up to 5ft, but the wind swings ENE and it gets messy. Tuesday drops back to 3ft with onshore NE winds. We’re in a pretty flat, poor stretch here, mates. The first days are a write-off.

Wednesday the 19th is a true blank day. The swell tanks to 2ft with a fresh N cross-shore wind and some rain. No chance of a wave. The combined energy is weak, around 209. This is a do-nothing day, maybe go for a surf check and a coffee.

Thursday the 20th sees the wind finally go offshore (WNW) but it’s only 2ft of SW swell with a 17-second period. The energy is low (274), and it’s clean, but there’s just nothing to ride. It’s a knee-high cleanup, not a surf.

Finally, Friday the 21st starts to show some life. The swell bumps to 4ft with a 15-second period, and by the afternoon the wind is offshore and clean, and the period stretches to 18 seconds. Combined energy is up to 1018 – moderate. This is the first session that has a bit of potential, but we’re still talking clean, shoulder-high waves on the best sets. The tide might be a factor, so pick your banks.

Then things kick off for the weekend. Saturday the 22nd is the first real standout. The morning sees 15ft of groundswell from the SW with a 14-second period. That’s a lot of water. The combined energy is a hefty 11218 – that’s strong. The wind is cross-off and it’s clean, but this is only for the experts. This is a big, powerful day. The afternoon drops to 7ft and is more manageable, but still serious. Sunday the 23rd has decent 7ft swell but the wind is fresh from the NW, making it a bit lumpy and difficult to read.

But the true highlight, the one you want to clear your calendar for, is Monday the 24th of August. We’ve got a massive 15ft to 16ft SW groundswell, with a 14-second period, and a solid offshore W wind. The combined energy numbers are huge – over 10,000 to 12,000. This is a powerful, grinding, expert-only day. The wave quality is rated excellent, but it will be heavy and take no prisoners. If you’re not a seasoned charger, this is a spectator day. This is the biggest and best on offer.

After that, the swell backs down but the winds get messy for a few days. Tuesday the 25th sees 8ft dropping to 7ft, but the wind is cross-shore and choppy. Wednesday the 26th drops to 4ft with onshore winds. The rest of that week is smaller, in the 3-6ft range, with mixed winds. There’s a fun-looking Thursday the 27th with a long 18-second period but the winds are light and cross, which might make it clean at certain spots.

For the final days, the 29th and 30th look like the cleaner, more user-friendly options. Saturday the 29th has 4ft to 4ft with light winds early. Sunday the 30th sees a bit more size at 5ft with a long 17-second period, but the wind is a cross-off. These are the sessions for the average surfer to get back out.

So, there you have it. The long wait until the 21st, then a solid few days of bigger, more powerful surf through the 22nd and 24th. The 24th is the standout, but it’s a beast. The final weekend is the one for the more moderate crew. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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