Pleasure Point-First Peak Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. The next couple of weeks here are a mixed bag, but there are some clean windows if you're patient.

We're kicking things off pretty slow at Pleasure Point-First Peak (Santa Cruz). The first couple of days are weak, with combined wave energy in the low hundreds (142-209). You're looking at ankle to knee-high waves, not much push. It’s going to be tough to get a decent ride, and the wind forecast doesn't help much early on. Thursday morning has a slight cross-off breeze, but the surf is just too small to get excited about.

Things finally start to cook on Friday, August 28th. We see a jump in energy to 376, and the swell period stretches out to 17 seconds from the SSW. That's real groundswell. The morning looks glassy with light easterly winds, setting up a clean and inviting lineup. Then, Friday afternoon is even better. The swell builds to 0.8m, the period bumps to 19 seconds, and the energy climbs to 453. With clear skies and a light cross-off, this is your first standout window. The waves will have some real power and the long period will make the lines on this reef hold together nicely.

Saturday the 29th brings a bit more size, up to 1.1m, and the energy jumps to 758. But the winds turn a bit more cross-shore, and the tide looks a little funky, so it might not be as clean as Friday. Still, there are waves to be had. Sunday afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze and 418 in energy, making it another decent shout.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st are a step back. The energy falls to the low 200s, and the swell gets smaller and a little mixed. You'll see some cross-shore and small onshore wind ripples, so it’s not going to be pretty. This will be a few days of struggling to find anything worthwhile.

The energy builds again on Thursday, September 3rd, hitting 707 in the afternoon. With a 19-second period and a light cross-off wind, this is another solid afternoon. Expect 0.7m of clean, lined-up swell.

Now, mark your calendar for Saturday, September 5th. The morning shows a bigger 1.2m of swell, but the wind is cross-on, which will make it bumpy. However, the afternoon is the real deal. We're looking at 1.1m from the SSW with a clean cross-off breeze and energy in the mid-600s. This is going to be a super fun, rippable day, one of the best in the period.

The week after that starts with a beautiful window on Monday morning, September 7th. It's glassy with a light WSW wind, 0.9m of swell on a 14-second period, and 440 energy. A classic, clean morning session.

Finally, around Thursday, September 10th, we see energy build to the high 500s with 1.0m of swell and a light cross-off wind. Another clean and fun day to end the forecast.

So, the main highlights are Friday, August 28th, and Saturday, September 5th. These days have the best combination of swell, energy, and wind. The long-period swells (15-19 seconds) will really favor this reef, giving you proper, well-defined waves that will hold their shape.

Water temperatures are pretty normal for this time of year, so don't expect any crazy changes.

While the start is slow, this spot is fairly consistent. It’s not going to be flat for long, so keep an eye on those standout days. The forecast can always change for the better.

Rusty

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