Pitstops Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store at Pitstops.

Through the next couple of weeks, we’re looking at a slowish start before a real blast of good, solid swell hits in the second half. It’s all about S to SSW groundswells, and you can get some truly clean waves if you pick your moments. Water temp is sitting at about 85°, right where it should be for this time of year.

We get going Friday the 14th, but it’s not much to write home about. There’s a 5-foot S swell with a 16-second period, giving us moderate energy (1707), but the wind is a 9 mph cross-off from the SE. It’s clean enough, but the forecast says "marginal" with questionable tide. Better to wait.

Saturday the 15th morning is the first real bright spot. The wind goes completely glassy from the WNW at 0 mph. We’ve got a solid 5-foot SSE swell with a 14-second period and strong energy (1172). Conditions are "very good" and flat calm. That’s a prime window for a long paddle. The afternoon gets a light cross-on from the SSW, so the quality drops. Morning is the move.

Sunday the 16th morning holds the glassy theme (SE at 3 mph). The swell backs down a hair to 4 feet from the S, but the period is still a nice 15 seconds with moderate energy (950). Again, the morning is clean. The afternoon drops to 3 feet, so the early session wins.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are a mixed bag. Monday goes small, down to 3 feet to 1 feet, clean but tiny. Tuesday morning brings a bigger 5-foot SSW push with good energy (1387). But Tuesday afternoon is where the quality really kicks in. The combined energy jumps to 1814 and the period stretches to 19 seconds on a 4-foot SSW swell, with the forecast calling it “excellent for experienced surfers.” That long period is perfect for a point or reef, but on a beach break it might run a bit straight.

The real standout? Wednesday the 19th morning at Pitstops. We’re looking at a 7-foot SSW swell with an 18-second period, and the combined energy is pumping hard at 2398. The wind is a light 6 mph SSE cross-off, keeping it clean. The forecast rates this as "excellent for experienced surfers." This is a serious, powerful groundswell – expert territory for sure. The afternoon gets a tick bigger at 7 feet but the wind swings cross from the S, adding some chop. Morning is the target.

The rest of that week stays solid. Thursday the 20th morning holds a 7-foot S swell but with a 12 mph cross-off wind, it has a bit of breeze on it. Friday the 21st afternoon sees another excellent pocket: 5-foot S swell, 15-second period, clean cross-off wind, and solid energy (1413). The weekend of the 23rd and 24th stays clean but the swell drops to the 3 to 4-foot range, feeling smaller.

Looking way out to Thursday the 27th of August, there’s another promising morning with a glassy 4-foot SSW swell and a 15-second period. And even into Friday the 29th, we’ve got a 4-foot SSW swell with an 18-second period and clean cross-off wind – the groundswell pattern is still hanging on.

So, the best of the best is Wednesday the 19th morning. After that, the daily morning windows from the 15th to the 17th are your best bet for clean, friendly conditions. For the bigger, gruntier stuff, aim for the long-period SSW pulses around the 18th through the 20th, but remember that’s for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

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