Oswald State Park/Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let's get into what the next couple of weeks look like, and I gotta be honest, it's looking a bit flat and messy. We've got a long stretch of nothing really clean on offer, so don't get too fired up. There's a big gap of poor surf before we even see a glimmer.

The water at Oswald State Park/Short Sands is 57°, running about 2° colder than usual for this time of year, so you'll feel that chill.

The first hint of anything worth a look is Wednesday, July 8th, in the morning. We've got a tiny 2ft swell from the SW, but with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined energy is weak at 411. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SW, so it'll be a little bumpy. It's a marginal call, only for those who really need a fix.

Then there's another big dry spell until Saturday, July 11th. That afternoon, the swell picks up to 5ft from the WNW, with a 10-second period and moderate energy of 512. The wind finally turns offshore out of the West at 9 mph. That's your best chance for clean conditions in the whole run, but it's still only a marginal forecast.

Sunday, July 12th afternoon gives us another marginal window with a 3ft WNW swell and a light cross-shore breeze from the South. Energy is low at 248.

Into the second week, Thursday, July 16th morning has the biggest pulse of the forecast period: a 3ft WNW swell with an incredible 18-second period and a combined energy of 805. But the wind is a cross-onshore from the NNW at 9 mph, so it'll be choppy. By the afternoon, the energy drops to 665 with a cross-shore wind. It's still only marginal.

The biggest wave heights show up on Saturday, July 18th, with a 5ft WNW swell, but the cross-onshore NNW wind at 12 mph will turn it into a messy, lumpy mess. Energy hits 729 in the morning and 672 in the afternoon, but it's rough out there.

If I had to pick a standout, it's Saturday, July 11th afternoon, when that 5ft WNW swell meets a clean offshore breeze. That's your cleanest shot for a decent wave. Thursday morning, July 16th is a close second for pure swell energy, but that cross-onshore wind will chop it up. That 18-second period will also make the waves race and break straight on the beach, so you'd want a point break or a spot with a channel. Crowds are listed as "sometimes" here, so you might have a couple of mates out.

For beginners, the 5ft stuff on the 18th with onshore wind will be a handful. The rest of the time, the small, onshore slop is better suited for a kite than a paddle. We've got a big blank run in this forecast, but that can change quick. Keep your board handy.

Stay patient,
Rusty

Read more