Rancho Santini Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for your local zone.

Right off the bat, the first half of the outlook is a bit of a grind. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, and the swell is messy. Nothing to get excited about. The first few days are a write-off – Tuesday the 21st through Thursday the 23rd are all poor, with bumpy, choppy conditions and barely a whisper of decent surf. You’d be better off doing something else.

The first real flicker of hope comes on Friday morning, July 24th. The swell is only 2ft, but it’s a very long-period SW groundswell (24 seconds) with a nice light offshore wind from the west. The water is sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. If you’re a longboarder or just want to get the cobwebs out, it’s worth a look. The energy is moderate (1119), but that long period might make it a bit straight for the beach break – it’ll be better if there’s a rip or a bank to line up.

The wind stays okay over the weekend, but the swell stays small. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th are marginal at best – small, light, and not much push. You’ll be scratching for a wave.

Then, Monday morning, July 27th is the standout. The wind turns cross-offshore from the SSE, and the surf cleans right up. The swell is a solid 4ft from the SW, with a period of 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The energy is strong (1059), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. If you’re comfortable on a bigger board or a step-up, get in the water. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few out, but not a circus.

The following week drifts back into mediocrity. Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th have some size (4ft to 5ft), but the wind is cross-on or cross, and the quality drops. The energy is strong (up to 1281), but the wind is just not playing nice. It’s frustrating, because the swell is there, but the surface is junk.

The last few days of July and into August start to pump up in size, but with a price. Friday, July 31st sees a 6ft to 7ft SSW swell, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the NW, making it lumpy and messy. That’s kite-surfing territory, not clean paddle surfing. The energy is very strong (1974), but the wind will ruin it.

The first week of August drops off quickly. By Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd, the swell is small and the wind is cross-shore. The energy drops to weak (342). It’s a poor end to the outlook. If you’re desperate, you might find a 3ft wave on Sunday afternoon, but it’s marginal at best.

The true standout here is Monday morning, July 27th. That’s your window. The rest is either too small, too windy, or too messy. Don’t hold your breath for the second week – it’s flat and uninspiring.

Rusty.

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