Mavericks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s be straight—this is a rough stretch for a paddle. From now through the end of July, the forecast is mostly junk. For the first week or so, we’ve got a short-period, weak WNW swell that’s barely chest high, around 5 feet, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s poor shape, and the wind is coming cross-onshore or onshore almost the whole time, turning the surface into a choppy mess. The energy numbers are moderate, in the 400-800 range, but the quality is just not there.

Then around July 18th, the swell shifts to the southwest and the period jumps way up—16 to 18 seconds, sometimes even 24 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the total energy readings climb into the strong zone, hitting 965 and even 1234 on the 24th. Sounds good, but look at the size: it’s only 2 to 3 feet. For a wave like Mavericks, that’s a ripple. A 24-second period on a beachbreak tends to roll through without much of a wall, and the wind stays sideshore or on, so it’s never clean.

The one day that catches my eye is Friday July 24th. The morning shows a light offshore breeze, a 2-foot swell from the southwest, but with that 24-second period. The energy reading is 965, which is a lot for such a small swell. The afternoon bumps to a 3-foot swell from the SSW, 17-second period, and the energy jumps to 1234. It’s still marginal, but if you’ve got a longboard and a lot of patience, that window with light wind and those long-period lines could offer a few glassy rides. It won’t be the heavy stuff this spot is known for, but it’s the only thing that looks even close to worthwhile.

If kiting is your thing, that cross-onshore wind and the moderate energy might be more fun. For paddle surfing, this is a dead run. It won’t last forever, but for now, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Read more