Rancho Santini Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we've got coming down the line.

Right off the bat, it’s looking pretty flat and grim for the next week or so. We’re stuck in a real quiet spell at Rancho Santini. The water's sitting at 65°, which is a solid 4° colder than it should be for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so you'll want a good thick suit. The first real hope on the horizon doesn't show up until Wednesday, August 26th, but even that's nothing to write home about.

From Thursday, August 20th through Tuesday, August 25th, it’s just small, weak swell and mostly poor conditions. The combined swell energy is weak, barely cracking three digits (338) on Thursday morning and staying weak all week. Waves are tiny – under 3 ft – with a 3 ft, 14-second period SSW groundswell that first morning, but the onshore W wind at 6 mph just won't cooperate. It's a long stretch of marginal surf at best, with scores that are just not worth paddling out for.

Now, we finally see some life kick in around Wednesday, August 26th. The swell picks up to 5 ft to 6 ft from the S and SSW, with periods around 13 seconds. The combined energy jumps into the strong range (1086) – a real boost of power. That’s a solid step up in size and energy, but it comes with a cross-onshore breeze from the WSW to SW at 6 mph, which will put some crinkle on the face. It’s still only rating as marginal, but it’s the best we’ve seen in a while. This is for the more experienced crew; over 5 ft and a bit bumpy isn't beginner-friendly.

The standout window, as far as we can see, looks like Thursday, August 27th. The swell holds at 6 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the wind actually goes light cross-shore from the south at 6 mph. That’s a much better angle, and while the wave comment still says marginal, that lighter cross-shore wind should tidy things up significantly compared to the days before. The combined energy is peaking right around here (1202), so it’s got the grunt. This is the one to pencil in if you’re itching for a paddle.

After that, the swell eases a bit through the end of August and into September. Friday, August 28th drops to 5 ft, and by August 30th we're back under 4 ft with the onshores starting to build again, making things choppy. There’s a glimmer of a different swell direction on Friday, September 4th – a 5 ft WNW groundswell with a short 10-second period – but that’s still a couple weeks out and has a cross-onshore wind, so it’s a long-range "maybe" at best.

So, bottom line: it’s a slow start. Get your gear sorted for Wednesday, August 26th, but the pick of the bunch is Thursday, August 27th for that cleaner cross-shore wind and the biggest, most powerful swell of the run. Don't expect perfection, but it's the only real chance at a session worth talking about.

Rusty.

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