Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak start. The first several days are flat and messy, with nothing worth getting wet for. The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Sunday morning, the 23rd of August, at Otter Rock. We’ve got a clean, glassy morning with a 4 ft swell out of the WNW. The period’s a bit short at 8 seconds, so it’s not going to have much punch, but with zero wind and that glassy surface, it’ll be rideable and fun for a beginner-friendly point break. The combined energy is weak at 250. The water temperature is 52°F, which is a whopping 8°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s seriously unusual, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit if you're paddling out.

That Sunday morning is the standout of the entire first week. There’s nothing else that comes close for quality until we get to Monday the 31st of August. That morning sees a bigger 5 ft swell from the west, with a combined energy of 626 (moderate) and light cross-shore winds making it look marginal but doable. The period is 10 seconds, so it’s a decent groundswell. The afternoon picks up to 6 ft, but the wind goes cross-onshore and chops it up. That 5 ft swell is pushing the beginner limit, but still okay for intermediates.

The real standout of the whole forecast, and the one that’s got me a little excited, is Saturday morning the 5th of September. We’re looking at a solid 7 ft swell from the NW with a combined energy of 976 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. The period is 10 seconds, so it’s got some drive. With light cross-onshore winds (3 mph), it should be fairly clean at Otter Rock. Keep in mind, at 7 ft, this is expert territory – not for beginners. The afternoon jumps to 7 ft and 1026 energy, but the wind picks up to a cross-onshore 9 mph from the NNW, so it’ll get a bit lumpier. Still, the morning window on that Saturday is the pick of the entire 16 days.

There’s a long dry spell from the 24th of August right through to the end of the month, with almost nothing surfable. The 5th of September is a long way off, so treat it as promising but not set in stone. For now, aim for that Sunday the 23rd for a small, clean session.

Rusty.

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