Pipeline Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening on the North Shore.

Okay, I'm going to be honest – the next week and a half is a bit of a snoozer. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak swell with poor-quality conditions at Pipeline. The wind is hanging cross-offshore, but the swell is just too tiny and the period is too short to get excited about. From Thursday the 30th of July all the way through to the 10th of August, we’re looking at swell heights that barely reach 2ft, with periods mostly under 15 seconds and combined energy values that are pretty weak – mostly between 93 and 261. The reports keep saying "poor surf conditions" or "marginal," and the scores are flat zeros. It’s a real dry spell.

But hold up, because things might finally turn around toward the end of the second week. The one standout, and the only day I’d circle on the calendar, is Tuesday the 11th of August. That morning, we’ve got a 3ft SSW groundswell, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy hits a solid 502 – that’s moderate wave energy. The wind shifts to a light ESE breeze at just 3 mph, which is basically glassy and clean. The report says "expect very good surf conditions" – and that’s the golden ticket. That afternoon, the wind goes light offshore from the SE at 6 mph, and we’ve still got a 3ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, with energy at 368. It’s not the huge 8ft-plus stuff that would shut out everyone but the pros, but it’s a proper, clean, long-period groundswell that Pipeline can really groove on. The long period means it’ll have real shape and power, and the gaps between sets will make paddling out easier. Crowds are "often" at Pipeline, so expect a packed lineup. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

The 9th of August Sunday afternoon and the 10th of August Monday morning also show a little bump – 3ft to 3ft SSW with 18 and 16-second periods, and energy jumping to 500 and 728 – but those are flagged as "marginal" and the wind is a moderate breeze from the ENE, so it’s not as clean. The 11th is the day to aim for.

So, basically, get your chores done, wax up your board, and save your energy for Tuesday the 11th of August. That’s your window.

Rusty.

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