Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Honestly, I’ll level with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, quiet run with very little to get excited about. The first recommendation doesn’t pop up until Tuesday morning the 18th of August at Otter Rock, a point break that’s fairly consistent but takes a bit of swell to wake up. Before that, Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th are write-offs – small, poor quality and cross-onshore winds ruining any chance of a wave. So you’ve got a two-day gap right off the bat with no surf worth paddling for.

Once Tuesday the 18th rolls around, it’s still not great. Otter Rock has a tiny 2ft swell from the SW with a 14-second period – that’s long period energy, which is usually great for a point break like this, but the size is just too small to get things working properly. The combined energy is only 327 (weak) and winds are light cross-onshore. Those conditions are only marginal, if you ask me.

The swell tries to build through the week, with Wednesday the 19th seeing about 3ft from the WNW, period dropping to 12 seconds, and energy climbing a bit to 476 (moderate). Again, cross-onshore winds spoil the party – it’s a frustrating pattern of the wind just not playing ball. The best of a bad bunch might be Friday morning the 21st of August when we get a brief window of offshore wind from the WNW, with 4ft swell and energy of 349 (weak). The period is short at 9 seconds though, and it’s only marginal. I wouldn't plan your weekend around it.

The standout moment – and I use that term loosely – looks set for Thursday the 27th of August. The afternoon sees a jump in size to 7ft from the NNW, period at 8 seconds, and the combined energy hits 770 (moderate). But here’s the kicker: that’s getting into expert-only territory at over 5ft for a beginner, and with a short period, it’ll be lumpy. Wind is still cross-onshore. This is a day for the experienced crew who don’t mind a bit of chop to get a few bigger walls. For the rest of us, this setup might actually be looking better for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the strength of the wind and the exposed beach/reef nature.

The water temperature at Otter Rock is a chilly 54°F, and that’s 5°F colder than average for this time of year – very unusual, so bring a thick steamer if you're even thinking about getting wet.

For the second week, things don’t improve. from the 28th onwards it stays small and messy, with cross-onshore winds and poor ratings throughout. The last day of the month, Monday the 31st of August, has a tiny glimmer with a 3ft morning swell from the W at 12 seconds, and energy of 440 (moderate), but it’s a marginal call and the afternoon gets blown out again. All in all, a pretty flat and frustrating 16 days for Otter Rock. Keep your expectations low and maybe pick up another hobby for a while.

Rusty

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