La Torche Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks at La Torche are looking like a tough stretch. The ocean's got some energy, but the wind just won’t give us a break. We’re in for a lot of choppy, cross-onshore conditions that’ll have you fighting the surface more than riding it. It's one of those periods where you might be better off checking the tide charts than the surf forecast.

Looking at the immediate window, there isn't a single standout session. We kick off this Saturday afternoon, August 8th, with a small 2ft NW swell. The period is a weak 10 seconds, and the light cross-onshore wind will just make it bumpy. The combined energy is weak to moderate at 113, so there’s not much push. The water is 65°, which is about average for this time of year, so that’s not a concern.

Sunday, August 9th stays small and poor. Morning is 2ft, and it bumps up slightly to 3ft in the afternoon, but the wind swings onshore and strengthens, making it properly choppy. Monday is more of the same – small NW swell with a cross-onshore breeze. Tuesday morning on August 11th is the closest thing we get to a highlight in this first block. There’s a light offshore east wind, the cleanest we’ll see, but the swell is tiny at 2ft with a short 8-second period, and the energy is weak at 56. It might be a knee-high dribble for the longboarders, but there’s not enough power to do much else. The WNW wind kicks in for the afternoon, killing the vibe.

The middle of the week doesn’t offer much hope either. We see a slight bump in swell on Wednesday, August 12th, with 3ft in the morning, but it’s cross-offshore. Thursday the 13th sees the swell push up to 4ft and the period stretches to 11 seconds, but that clean groundswell energy is ruined by a moderate cross-onshore wind that turns fresh and lumpy by the afternoon. The energy does build though, reaching 285 in the morning and 288 in the afternoon – starting to get into the moderate range.

Friday, August 14th builds a bit more, but the wind is relentless. 3ft in the morning, 4ft in the afternoon, with a fresh cross-onshore breeze making it lumpy. We're seeing moderate energy at 326 by the afternoon, but it's all messy.

The weekend comes and goes without a winner. Saturday the 15th stays small and choppy, and Sunday the 16th sees a drop in period to a junky 6-7 seconds, making the 5ft swell feel fat and weak.

The first part of the following week, August 17th and 18th, is poor. The swell drops back down to under 3ft, and the wind stays cross-onshore or onshore, keeping everything lumpy. There’s just no rhythm to it.

We finally see a real pulse of energy arrive on Saturday, August 22nd. The models show a jump in swell to 6ft on the morning, building to 7ft by afternoon. The period is a solid 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps into the strong zone at 483 and then 622. This is the real deal in size, but I have to be honest, the wind forecast has it pinned with a cross-onshore flow that will make it tricky. The direction is from the W and WNW, which is right in La Torche's wheelhouse, but those winds are going to be the challenge.

And then things get properly serious. On Sunday, August 23rd, the swell is forecast to jump to a solid 10ft. The period is 10 seconds, and the energy is a massive 1714 in the morning and 1586 in the afternoon. This is a big, powerful WNW groundswell. But look at the wind: fresh cross-onshore, blowing at 19-22 mph. At this size, with onshore wind, La Torche is going to be a washing machine. It's a full-on expert-only situation, and even then, it's going to be a battle just to get out the back. For anyone but the most seasoned charger, this is one to watch from the sand. The long period and big swell are best for the points, but the wind will likely be shredding it to pieces.

So, in short, we have 16 days on the books, and the first week is a total loss. There is a slim chance on Tuesday morning for something clean but tiny, and a real build of swell for the 22nd and 23rd, but those days are looking blown out. If you’re a kitesurfer, that Sunday the 23rd might look like a dream, but for us paddle surfers, it’s a big, fat pass.

It's a frustrating outlook, but this kind of run doesn't last forever. Forecasts can change, and conditions can come together quickly. Keep your eyes on the charts, and we might get a window.

Hang loose.

Rusty

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