Otter Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of slop ahead, but if you’re patient, there’s a tiny glimmer of hope hiding way out in the forecast.

Right now and for the rest of this week, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a persistent NNW wind blowing straight across Otter Rock, and until at least Thursday the 15th of August, the waves are just messy and weak. The energy is low, mostly sitting under 300 (moderate wave energy) and the swell is junk – short period windswell from the NNW, with a couple of fading SW pulses that are too small to do anything. The water temp is feeling about average for this time of year, nothing weird there. Honestly, it’s the kind of setup that would make more sense for a kitesurfer than a surfer right now.

We do see a slight lift on Friday the 16th of August morning. The swell picks up a touch from the SW, with a longer 16-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 373, but it’s still onshore and messy. It’s marginal at best. That little pulse hangs around through the weekend, but on Monday the 17th we get a 14-second SW swell with energy climbing to 534, which is getting into a more interesting range. The wind is still cross-shore, making for a bumpy surface, but it’s a sign of life.

Now, here’s the one to circle. On Tuesday the 18th of August, we finally get a window. Otter Rock wakes up. The morning and afternoon both go glassy – that’s a total lack of wind for the first time. The swell is a nice, clean 3ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the energy is strong at 547 and 586. That’s legit. Expect very good surf conditions. The wave direction is a bit west of the optimum SW, but with clean conditions and a solid groundswell, Otter Rock’s point should be offering some tidy, peelable lines. It’s a fairly consistent spot for a point break, but just a heads up, crowds are often there when it’s good.

After that Tuesday peak, conditions start to fade again. Wednesday the 19th is still alright in the morning with glassy conditions and a 4ft W swell, but the energy drops and the afternoon goes onshore. From there on out, it’s back to the poor-to-marginal grind through to the end of the forecast period.

So, the long and short of it: the next week is a dud. Don’t bother checking until Monday the 17th, and be ready to pounce on Tuesday the 18th of August. That’s your standout.

Rusty.

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