Pilgrim Avenue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer at Pilgrim Avenue over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim stretch for the most part, so don’t be in a rush to grab your board.

This is a reef and point setup, and it’s fairly consistent for breaks, but the swell window is just not cooperating. We’ve got a long run of poor surf conditions, with the first week looking particularly flat or messy. The first proper chance to even think about getting wet doesn’t come until Tuesday the 25th of August, and even then, it’s marginal.

For the first few days, from the 17th through the 24th, it’s a write-off. You’re looking at tiny, short-period windswell, mostly under 2ft, with a period of only 5 to 8 seconds. The wave energy is just weak, never cracking triple digits. The wind is a mixed bag of onshore and cross-off, but the swell is so small it doesn’t matter. Choppy, weak, and not worth your time.

The first real pulse of energy shows up on Tuesday the 25th of August. The morning has a 4ft swell from the south, with a period of 5 seconds, and a moderate offshore breeze from the WNW. The wave energy is at 100 (moderate), but it’s short-period stuff, so it’ll be a bit bouncy. Water temp is around 72°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The afternoon fades fast, dropping to 1ft. Not a standout, but it’s the first window if you’re desperate.

Now, the real tease comes on Wednesday the 26th of August. We’ve got a 5ft south swell, period 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 365 (moderate). On paper, that’s got some push. But the wind is a cross-onshore from the ENE, and it’s only a light breeze, so it’s not totally ruined. The waves will be a bit lumpy. For a reef and point, this is the best on offer, but it’s still not clean. It’s a beginner-to-intermediate size, but the cross-onshore wind and short period will make it a bit of a battle.

The biggest energy spike arrives on Friday the 28th of August. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SSE, but look at that period – 13 seconds, proper groundswell. The energy hits 584 (strong). That’s the most powerful day in the whole outlook. But here’s the bad news: the wind is onshore from the ENE at 16 mph, making it choppy and messy. A 4ft groundswell with that period and onshore wind is a frustrating mix. It’s got power, but it won’t be clean. For a point break, the long period could actually make it break a bit too straight with that wind. Only for the experts if they’re keen, but honestly, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing day.

The rest of the run into the 1st of September is tiny, with 1ft to 2ft swells, weak energy, and mostly clean conditions but no wave to ride. The standout, if you can call it that, is the Wednesday the 26th of August morning, with that 5ft south swell and a light cross-onshore – it’s the only day with a bit of size and some chance of a rideable wave. The Friday the 28th has the power, but the wind kills it.

Crowds at Pilgrim Avenue are sometimes an issue, but with this quality of surf, I reckon you’ll have the place to yourself. It’s been a tough outlook, lads. Hang in there, the forecasts can change, but right now it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more