New Jetty/South Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get one thing straight. The next 16 days at New Jetty/South Jetty are going to be a test of patience. There's just no real swell on the horizon. We’re looking at a lot of small, weak surf and annoying winds that are going to keep the surface bumpy. If you're a beginner, this isn't the time to be learning; if you're a seasoned surfer, you might be better off finding another hobby for a couple of weeks.

The first week is a total washout. From Tuesday the 18th through the 23rd, we have tiny waves—nothing over 2 feet. The wind is mostly blowing from the wrong direction, cross-on or onshore, which will just make it choppy. The water is warm, though, around 70°F, which is nearly 7°F warmer than average for this time of year. That's a nice thing, but it doesn't make up for the lack of surf. The energy in the water is just pathetic too. We're talking numbers like 74 and 96, which is barely a ripple. There's a long-period swell on the 18th, but it's only 2 feet, so it's just a tease.

Moving into the second week, nothing improves. The swell stays on the small side and the wind stays in our faces. On the 25th, the wind really picks up in the afternoon, making things a choppy mess, even if the swell gets a little bigger. It looks like a day for the kite surfers, not for us paddle surfers. The rest of the week is a continuation of the same story: small, weak, and uninviting.

The final few days of the month, the 29th through the 31st, do show a bit more energy in the water, with the combined energy values getting into the 200s and 300s, which is more moderate. But the wave height is still stuck at around 2 feet. The period is a bit better, in the 15-16 second range, but there's just not enough size to do anything with it. The wind is still not ideal, but at least it's lighter in the mornings. This is the best of a bad bunch, but it's still not worth getting excited about. It's more of a "get your longboard out and cruise around" kind of surf.

Look, this place is usually "fairly consistent," so for it to go this flat for this long is a real anomaly. It tends not to stay this poor for long, and forecasts can change. But right now, it's a dry spell. If you're desperate for a paddle, that last weekend of August looks like the only real chance to get wet, but keep your expectations low. The good news is the water is warm, so at least you won't freeze while you're sitting there waiting for a wave that might not come.

Rusty.

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