North wall Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Northwall over the next couple of weeks.

So, the good news is there is surf on the way, but you’re gonna have to be patient. The first week or so is pretty ordinary with small, weak waves and tricky winds. It’s not a total washout, but you’ll be scratching for anything decent. There is a big, powerful swell building for the second week, but it might be a bit too much of a good thing.

Starting off on Tuesday the 4th of August, we’ve got a tiny 3 ft SE swell rolling in early with a period of 8 seconds and weak energy (177). The morning is glassy, so you could get a few knee-high dribblers on the high tide if you’re a beginner, but the afternoon turns to rubbish with a cross-on breeze. Wednesday and Thursday are similar stories – small, weak swell (energy in the 100-160 range) but with clean, offshore winds in the mornings. You might pick off the odd waist-high wave at Northwall if you’re desperate, but the quality is just "surfable" at best. Friday and Saturday are more of the same; small and weak, with wind messing up the afternoons.

Sunday the 9th sees a little bump of energy, with the swell jumping to 4 ft from the east (9 sec period) and moderate energy (279). The morning has a light cross-shore, but it’s marginal. The afternoon gets blown out hard with 16 mph winds. No good.

The real change kicks off on Monday the 10th of August. Monday morning is back to clean, offshore conditions with a knee-high 3 ft ENE swell – nothing special, but where we’re coming from, it’s a start. The tide might be funky though.

Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are finally worth setting the alarm for. Tuesday morning has clean conditions with a 3 ft ENE swell and strong energy (216). It’s not big, but the vibe is good. Wednesday is the first real standout: morning has a 3 ft ENE swell (210 energy) with a cross-offshore breeze, and the afternoon goes totally glassy with a 3 ft easterly swell (208 energy). It’s small, but the conditions will be pristine – clean, glassy waves with not a breath of wind. The water temp is around average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, hold onto your board for the second week. Starting Friday the 14th, the swell pumps up. Friday morning sees a 7 ft S swell (8 sec period, energy 538) and it’s cross-offshore but with 19 mph winds – messy. Friday afternoon, the swell hits 8 ft from the S with a longer 11 sec period and energy goes ballistic at 1566. The wind is still cross-offshore, but at 22 mph it’s gonna be a battle and a half. This is big, raw power – more for experienced chargers only, and even then, the conditions are marginal.

The big dog arrives on Saturday the 15th of August and Sunday the 16th. Saturday morning you’re looking at 10 ft of S swell (10 sec period, insane energy of 2652) with a cross-shore wind. It’s clean enough for the experts, but the force and size are massive. The system says it's too big for this spot, and for good reason. This is heavy, powerful stuff. Sunday morning pushes to 12 ft S swell (11 sec period, energy 4238) – that’s a legit big swell event. Only for the very experienced and you’ll need your biggest board and a lot of respect. The cross-shore wind will keep it lumpy.

Monday the 17th levels off a touch but remains huge: 10 ft SSE swell (energy 2175) with a gentle cross-shore. Still too big for most. The true standout for the experienced crew comes on Tuesday the 18th of August. The swell drops to 8 ft from the SSE (10 sec period, energy 1386) but morning delivers offshore glass from the WSW. This is the cleanest, most powerful window of the whole period. If you’ve got the skills, Tuesday morning is the session to chase. Afternoon turns to a cross-shore, but the morning is gold.

Wednesday the 19th starts to fade, but it’s still a solid 6 ft SE swell (energy 673) and clean, cross-offshore winds. A good option for experienced surfers who don’t want the full-on big stuff of the previous few days, but it’s not a beginner wave at that size and energy.

So, to sum it up: the first ten days are a write-off for any real quality. The swell that comes in from Friday the 14th through Tuesday the 18th is the main event, with Wednesday August 12th being the best small-wave day with perfect glass, and Tuesday August 18th morning being the absolute standout for the big-wave crew. Crowds at Northwall are possible, but on those big days, only the brave will be out.

Rusty.

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