Publics Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu at Publics. I’m lookin’ down the barrel of a 16-day stretch, and I gotta be straight with you—it’s a tough start. The first few days are a write-off. We’ve got a steady ENE breeze blowin’ cross-off, but the swell is a messy, short-period windswell that just doesn’t have the goods. The water temp is sittin’ at 81°, which is about average for late August, nothin’ to write home about.

The real problem is those winds. We’re lookin’ at a solid 18 to 25 mph cross-off breeze that’s gonna wreck any chance of a clean face. The wave energy is weak to moderate in that first week (around 463 to 872), but it’s all noise and no shape. You’d be better off stayin’ on the sand. There’s a gap from the start all the way through the first week with no real recommendations—just poor conditions.

Then we roll into the second week, and things get weird. By Wednesday the 2nd of September, a long-period 16-second groundswell rolls in from the south, but it’s tiny—only 3 ft. The energy jumps up though (848), which means there’s power in the water, just not enough height to do much with it. That kind of period at a beach-and-reef setup tends to run straight, so you’d want a point or a river mouth for that.

The standout—and I mean the *only* time I’d say paddle out—is Sunday the 6th of September. We’ve got a solid 13 ft swell from the ENE with an 11-second period. That is a proper push of water, with the combined energy hittin’ a strong 4141. Now, a word of caution: 13 ft is expert territory only. If you’re not comfortable in heavy water, sit this one out. The wind is still a nasty cross-off at 28 mph, which is a big caveat. It’s goin’ to be messy, but for a strong, experienced surfer at Publics, there might be some steely, powerful waves in there. It’s not pretty, but it’s the only day that offers serious size and a bit of period.

After that, the window closes fast. By the 8th, we’re back to small, weak groundswell from the south and the same old cross-off wind. The last weekend (13th and 14th September) has promise with lighter breezes and some south groundswell, but the swell drops to under 3 ft. The wind on the 13th morning is a light gentle breeze—almost glassy—but the swell is just too small to get excited about. It’s a tease.

Honestly, for most of this 16-day outlook, the setup at Publics looks more interesting for kite surfin’ than paddle surfin’, given the constant cross-off winds and the occasional big, lumpy swell. Hang tight, wait for that 6th of September session, and pray for the wind to ease up.

Rusty.

Read more