Redwood Creek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, and I’ve got to be honest with you – Redwood Creek (Humboldt County) is looking like a tough sell over the next two weeks. This is a river mouth that rarely breaks, and the data is not doing it any favors. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of poor to marginal conditions, with very few moments worth paddling for.

The water temp is running about 54° which is a good bit colder than average for this time of year, so bring the thick rubber.

For the opening of the period, Monday the 17th into Tuesday the 18th we’ve got tiny swell – 2ft to 4ft – but the whole deal is rated as marginal. The light onshore breeze through Tuesday afternoon at 4ft will make it a choppy mess. Not the kind of thing you want to drive for.

Wednesday the 19th sees a jump in size, 5ft both morning and afternoon, from the NW, and the combined swell energy hits moderate numbers. But it’s short period stuff (7 seconds), so it’s weak, bumpy, and the wind is crossing onshore. Not clean, not recommended.

From Thursday the 20th through the weekend of the 23rd-24th, it’s basically a write-off. Swell runs small, often under 3ft, and the wind swings between light onshores and cross-onshores. A couple of those days, like Saturday 22nd afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft but with a 7-second period and onshore wind – that’s just a washing machine. Those low scores for surf conditions tell the story.

There is one tiny glimmer. Late on Monday the 24th of August, the wind drops to glassy. Swell is tiny – just 2ft – and it’s coming in from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds. For a long period like that, a river mouth can sometimes focus that energy into a clean little wave. The wave energy is moderate, so it’s weak, but for a glassy session on a log, maybe there’s a fun little wave for someone. It’s not for beginners though; that period will make it weird and sucky.

After that, it’s back to the grind. The last week of August into September 1st is all small, short period, onshore, and marginal. Nothing stands out. The break is inconsistent at the best of times, and this window just doesn’t deliver the right combo.

So honestly, this is one where you probably don’t waste the fuel. If you absolutely have to get wet, glassy conditions on the 24th might give you a weird, slow, long period wave, but it’s a long shot for a river mouth. Otherwise, leave the boards on the rack and wait for a proper swell with clean wind.

Rusty.

Read more