Redwood Creek Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next stretch.

To be straight with you, this is a tough run for Redwood Creek. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the first week is a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. The wind is mostly cross-onshore and often fresh, especially from Saturday the 1st through Monday the 3rd, with swell bumping up to over 7 ft. That NW swell hits 12 ft on Sunday and Monday afternoons, but with strong cross-onshore winds, it's big, lumpy, and messy. The combined wave energy is powerful – on Sunday afternoon we’re looking at 1910, and Monday afternoon jumps to 2006 – but it’s all blown out. For the experienced crowd, it’s heavy, but honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddling.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday, August 4th. The morning starts with a light cross-onshore breeze, but the afternoon sees a shift to lighter offshore winds from the NW. The swell is still a solid 7 ft from the NW with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is 728 – moderate to strong. The water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s a marginal day, but that afternoon window is the best we’ve seen all week. The break is a river mouth, rarely breaks, and crowds are often an issue, so if you’re keen, go early or mid-afternoon.

Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are similar: light winds, 5 ft to 6 ft NW swell, but the wave quality is still marginal. The combined energy drops into the 400-500 range, so it’s not pumping, just rideable. Not a standout.

Now, there’s a big shift in the second week. From Saturday, August 8th, the swell drops right off – we’re talking 1 ft to 2 ft for the next several days. The period gets long, over 15 seconds, which is a classic groundswell, but the size is tiny. The combined energy is low, around 200-400. The wind is mostly light offshore, so the water will be glassy, but you’ll be bobbing around on knee-high waves. This is a long quiet spell from the 8th through to the 13th.

The one standout in the whole outlook comes late in the window. On Friday, August 14th, the morning looks promising. We’ve got a 4 ft WNW swell with a 13-second period, and light offshore winds from the NW. The combined energy is 856 – that’s solid moderate energy. The water will be glassy and clean. Best of the day, and best of the whole run. Saturday the 15th drops back to 3 ft, but still with light offshore winds and a 11-second period. It’s a decent taper, but the real pick is that Friday morning.

So, bottom line: the first week is mostly a bust for paddling. Tuesday afternoon the 4th is your best early option. The long gap from the 8th to the 13th is almost flat. Then, Friday, August 14th morning is the real prize – clean, glassy, and a proper long-period groundswell. It’s a river mouth, so expect it to be a bit shifty, but with light winds, it’ll be the best wave on offer.

Stay keen, and keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty.

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