Pilgrim Avenue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s talk about Pilgrim Avenue (reef and point). Gotta be straight with you – this stretch isn’t firing for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a long, quiet run with only a couple of moments that might get your heart rate up.

The surf is going to be very inconsistent. Most days you’ll see tiny, weak waves. The energy in the water is low, barely registering in the double digits for most of the first ten days. The water temperature is bang on average for this time of year at 72°, so no worries there for a paddle. But the problem is the lack of proper swell. You’ll get days with some offshore wind, like Sunday the 9th with a 9 mph offshore breeze, but the swell is only 3 ft from the SSW with a short, weak 6-second period. That’s just not enough to get excited about, even if the conditions look clean.

We do see a bit of a pulse building around the 14th. Friday afternoon on the 14th has a 4 ft swell from the SSW, again with a short 7-second period, but the wind clocks offshore from the WSW at 12 mph. That will make it rideable, but it’s ordinary, not a standout. The combined energy jumps to 127 (moderate wave energy), so there’s a little more push, but the short period means it’ll be crumbly and a bit weak.

The only real spike in the whole outlook is on the 21st of August. That Friday brings a 4 ft swell from the SSE, but this one has some length to it – 12 seconds. The combined energy hits 353 (strong wave energy). That’s the most powerful we’ll see. However, the wind is a cross-shore from the SSE, and it’s bringing rain with it. For a reef and point setup like this, that longer period groundswell with the right direction (SSE being close to the optimum of SSE) could produce some lined-up waves, but the cross-shore wind and rain is going to mess with the surface. It’s the best on offer, but only if you’re desperate. It’s not one for beginners either – that 4 ft with long period can pack a punch on the reef.

The final Sunday, the 23rd, has a clean-looking morning with a strong 19 mph offshore from the NW, but the swell is back down to 2 ft. The energy is low (93), so it’s clean but small.

Honestly, this is a poor run for Pilgrim Avenue. I wouldn’t recommend packing your board for any of these days. The gap from now until the 14th is particularly barren. The 21st is the only day with some real poke, but the wind steals its glory. If you have a kite, those breezes on the 18th (22 mph SSW) and 23rd (19 mph NW) might be more your speed, but for a surf, it’s a no from me.

Rusty.

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