Pipeline Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening at Pipeline.

I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – this 16-day forecast is a grind. There’s one sweet, clean window right at the start, and then the trades come in and don't let up. From the 22nd of August all the way through the 3rd of September, it’s mostly a bust. That’s nearly two weeks of windy, poor surf. You gotta be patient and pick your moments. The one true standout is that first morning.

Friday morning, the 21st of August, is your golden ticket. We’ve got a clean 2ft swell out of the SW with a deep 17-second period – that’s real long-period groundswell. At a reef like Pipe, that long period makes it stand up tall and throw hard. The wind is light and easterly at 6 mph, keeping the surface glassy. The combined energy is solid at 354 (moderate wave energy), and it’s consistent. It’s an exposed spot, so it’s catching all the energy. Just know that crowds are often here, so expect some company.

The afternoon stays clean but the swell drops off a little. Then from Saturday the 22nd, the wind jumps to 19 mph from the ENE, and it just stays howling for days. It’s cross-off, so it’s not totally dead, but with wind that fresh (forecast scores of 0 out of 10), it’s going to be messy and hard to surf.

We finally get a change on Thursday afternoon, the 3rd of September. The swell jumps to 6ft from the NNE with a 10-second period. That’s a lot of power, with combined energy of 576 (strong wave energy), but the report says it’s marginal due to tides. That size is for experts only. It’s not a standout, but it’s the only thing worth looking at in the second week.

After that, it fades back to small and weak. The morning of the 5th of September has a 2ft SSW groundswell with a 19-second period – super long period. That will barrel at Pipe, but the sets will be few and far between with low energy (246, moderate wave energy). With a moderate breeze, it’s a "maybe" session at best.

So here’s the plan: surf the hell out of Friday morning the 21st. Then you’ve got a long wait until the 3rd of September, which offers a powerful, tricky session for the experts. Keep checking the forecast, things can change.

Rusty.

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