Ngor Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's break down the next 16 days for Ngor Lefts, our advanced reef break on the West African coast.

The forecast is a tough one. We're looking at a long stretch of average to poor conditions, with a few very short windows where things might clean up. The biggest issue is that the swell is small and the wind is mostly in the wrong quarter for this spot. Ngor Lefts needs a clean NW swell with light offshore or cross-offshore winds to really shine, and we just aren't getting that combination very often.

The water temperature is sitting at 82°, which is about average for the time of year. Nothing freaky going on there.

The first week is pretty grim. The first real chance of anything decent comes Thursday afternoon, July 16th. We get a jump in the combined swell energy (709) to 5ft from the SW. That's a solid size, but it's not the optimum NW direction. The wind will be a fresh offshore from the south at 18 mph, which will keep the surface clean. This is a big wave for a reef, and with a short period of 10 seconds, it’s going to be a punchy, shifty wave. This is definitely for experts only, and it's a marginal call due to the direction.

The next tiny window appears on Monday, July 20th. The afternoon looks *clean* with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, and the swell is a consistent 4ft from the NNW. The combined energy is moderate (242), and the period is a short 8 seconds. The forecast says "expect good surf conditions," which is the best compliment we get all period. It won't be epic, but it’ll be your most user-friendly wave of the week.

Looking further out, the second week is a desert of onshore chop and cross-shores. The only real standout is a long shot on Thursday, July 23rd. The morning is glassy, with a 4ft NNW swell, but the period is a very short, weak 6 seconds (107 combined energy). For a moment, it will look perfect, but the wave itself will lack any push. It’s a classic office tease.

The only other time the energy spikes is around Tuesday, July 28th and Wednesday, July 29th. The swell is 5ft from the NNW with moderate energy (376 and 314), and the winds are cross-offshore. But the forecast calls it "marginal" and the wind is strong (16 mph). The size is there, but the quality is questionable.

Honestly, if you're looking for the best of a bad bunch, point your board at Ngor Lefts on Monday afternoon, July 20th. It’s the only session where the conditions, swell size, and wind all line up to be surfable without being a mission. The 4ft NNW swell with a clean cross-offshore breeze will be the most fun you'll have all fortnight. The other option for big wave hunters is that Thursday afternoon, July 16th, but be prepared for a heavy, peaky, expert-only wave.

Don't get your hopes up for this one. The forecast can change, but right now it's a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more