Number Fours Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, with a look at Number Fours in feet and miles per hour.

Gonna be a slow start to the period, I'll be honest. For the first week, it's all cross-off wind from the ENE, which keeps the surface clean, but the swell is small and the direction isn't perfect. The wave energy is moderate, with combined swell energy readings between 231 and 429. The water's about average temp for this time of year, nothing unusual.

Let's walk through it.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are a total washout. Swell is barely 2 to 3 feet, the period is all over the shop, and the scores are a big fat zero. Not worth getting wet. Wednesday the 19th to Saturday the 22nd is a slight improvement. Swell stays small, 2 to 3 feet, but the period gets real good – 16 to 18 seconds – and the wind is light. The combined energy is still moderate (231-429). That long period groundswell will wrap into the reef and give you some clean, fun lines on a log. Best of this stretch is probably Thursday afternoon the 20th or Friday morning the 21st with the lightest breeze. It's mellow, but it's clean.

Then we get a rough patch. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th bring a jump to 5-6 feet, but it's short-period windswell (7 seconds) from the ENE, and the wind gets up to 18-19 mph. It's a choppy, bumpy mess. The combined energy jumps to 414-518, but it's not the good stuff. I'd give it a miss.

Now, here's the heavy stuff. From Tuesday the 25th through Saturday the 30th, the swell really starts pumping. Tuesday the 25th we're looking at 8 feet from the ENE with an 8-second period (moderate energy, 835). Wednesday the 26th is 8 feet (strong energy, 1298), and by Thursday the 27th we've got a solid 10 feet (strong energy, 1494-1707). That's big boy territory – over 8 feet is experts only. The wind is still cross-off from the ENE, around 16-22 mph. For the 25th to 27th, the short period (7-8 seconds) means the waves will be steep and dumpy. But the reef will at least give you a defined take-off spot.

The one to clear your calendar for? Friday the 28th of August. The swell is still a serious 10 feet, but the period stretches to 11 seconds (very long period groundswell). The combined energy is very strong (2697). That's big, pushy, well-structured groundswell onto a reef. It will be heavy, powerful, and long-lining. The wind is cross-off at about 16-19 mph, so it'll be a bit textured but not blown out. This is for the experienced crew only. Crowds are possible on a day like this.

After that, it's a rapid drop-off. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st see the swell tank back to 3 feet with a short period, and conditions go poor.

So, if you're hungry for a proper session, Friday the 28th is your day. The morning will have that 10-foot, 11-second groundswell and the best wind. Be prepared for a serious workout and some proper waves.

Rusty

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