Oswald State Park/Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your boards and listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on the surf for our stretch of coast for the next couple of weeks. Let me tell you straight, it’s a bit of a slow burner.

The first part of this run is looking pretty bleak for any decent waves. We’ve got a whole heap of days where you’ll be better off doing something else. From now until the 11th, it’s pretty much a write-off. The swell is small and weak, with combined energies mostly in the 100s. It's just not doing a thing. You’re looking at ankle-biters to maybe knee-high slop, with onshore or cross-shore winds chopping it all up. There’s no push, no power. It’s flat and messy.

Then things finally start to change around the 12th of August. The swell starts to pick up, and we begin to see some actual energy in the water. The combined energy pushes into the 300s, which is a welcome sight. The waves are still a bit junky, but the size starts to build. It’s not until the 14th that things get really interesting. We see the swell jump to around 6ft, with energy readings well into the 600s. That’s when you’ll want to be paying attention.

The standout in this whole stretch is the morning of Friday the 15th of August. The swell is a solid 6ft from the NW, and the energy is hitting 713. It’s not too crazy but has some push. The wind is a cross-shore blowing at 12 mph, coming from the NNW. It won't be glassy, but it’s manageable. This is the best of the lot for our spot at Oswald State Park/Short Sands (Oswald-West-State-Park). It’s a beach break though, and with this size and period, it could be a little closed out. It’s not quite a beginner wave at this size, but it’s still fun for the intermediate crew.

The other option is the morning of Sunday the 17th of August, but the swell has backed off a touch to 4ft and the winds are a bit stronger and less favorable. It’s not the same quality.

So, in short, don't bother waxing up until mid-month. The first week and a half is a total dud. Circle Thursday the 14th and especially Friday the 15th on your calendar. That’s our best bet for a proper surf. It won’t be world-class, but after this drought, it’ll feel like a gift. The water temp is sitting pretty at 60°, which is about normal for this time of year, so a good wetsuit is still key.

Alright, that’s the picture from here. Stay patient, and I’ll see you out there when it turns on.

Rusty.

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