La Torche Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what La Torche has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a lean run. We’re looking at a whole lot of small, messy conditions before anything really gets going.

The pattern starts off pretty grim. From Thursday the 30th right through to Monday the 3rd of August, it’s all small, wind-affected dribble. Swell heights are barely scraping 2 ft to 4 ft, and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, kicking up chop. You’ve got weak combined energy readings around 40-108 (moderate wave energy at best on the Monday afternoon, but still poor). Honestly, there’s nothing worth paddling out for in that first stretch.

We get a brief window of hope on Saturday morning the 1st of August. The wind goes light and cross-offshore from the NNE, cleaning things right up, and the swell slips to a small 2 ft from the west with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is a weak 99, so it’s tiny, but for a longboard or a foiler, you might find a few clean, crumbly ones. It’s not a standout, just a moment of calm in a choppy week.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. Sunday the 2nd through to Wednesday the 6th of August is a desert – tiny waves, poor surf conditions, and onshore wind. We’re talking about a solid week of almost nothing surfable.

Then, the real story pops up on Saturday the 8th of August. The swell jumps to a serious 8 ft from the WSW, with a period of 8-9 seconds. The combined energy spikes to 844-924 (strong wave energy). That is proper size for La Torche, and it’s going to be too big for beginners – this is one for the experienced crew only. The catch? The wind is onshore or cross-onshore from the WNW on Saturday, so it’ll be lumpy and tough. The morning might be a little cleaner with a gentler breeze, but it’s not going to be glassy. This is the only real swell event in the forecast, but with that wind, it’s a battle. You’ll need your biggest board and the strongest paddle.

Beyond that, the second week drops right back off into nothing. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th have a bit of waist-high bump with fresh winds, but it’s poor. By Tuesday the 11th, it’s back to tiny 1 ft junk. The last few days of the outlook are just small and crumbly.

So, the one and only standout is that Saturday the 8th of August. It’s a big, powerful swell, but the wind is a big caveat. If you’re an expert and you don’t mind a bit of chop on a big wave, that’s your day. For everyone else, the next two weeks are mostly about waiting.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.

Stay keen, but keep your expectations low.

Rusty.

Read more