Rio Chico Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what we’ve got coming down the line for Rio Chico. It’s a point break, exposed to the swell, and it likes it from the SW. This spot is very consistent and works for advanced surfers, so don't be fooled by the small sizes – it’s a tricky one.

Right off the bat, the water is cooking at 79°F – that’s a massive 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year. You’re not going to need a thick suit, that’s for sure.

We kick off Sunday the 26th of July. It’s not a classic start – morning is a bit messy with a cross-onshore wind from the SW at 6 mph. The swell is a small 3ft from the WSW with a nice long 17-second period, which is a proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate (634). The wind is light, but it’s the wrong side of offshore, so the surface is going to have a bit of texture. It’s a bit marginal, honestly. The afternoon turns onshore, and it gets worse – a definite skip.

Monday the 27th picks up a touch. The swell bumps to 4ft from the WSW, still with that lovely long period of 18 seconds. The energy is building into the moderate range (909). Morning again has that light cross-onshore breeze ruining the party. Can’t say it’s a stand-out.

By Tuesday the 28th, the swell hits 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The energy is now strong (1147). But the wind is still cross-onshore all day. The setup is frustrating because the size is there, but the wind is messing with the surface. This is a kite-surfing kind of day, with that solid swell and consistent cross-wind, rather than a clean paddle session.

Wednesday the 29th drops back to 4ft, and the period shortens to 14 seconds. Energy drops (618). Still got that cross-onshore wind in the morning. The afternoon is onshore. Nothing to write home about.

Then we hit a real dry spell. From Thursday the 30th of July all the way through to Monday the 10th of August, the surf is either poor or marginal. The swell drops to between 1ft and 3ft, and the energy plummets into the low hundreds (129 to 480). The wind is mostly cross-onshore, sometimes onshore, and it’s either light but choppy or a gentle breeze. There’s a slight glimmer on Thursday the 6th of August morning with a 3ft, 14-second swell and an onshore wind from the SW at only 3 mph, but it’s still a marginal call. That’s a long, quiet stretch for a break that’s normally very consistent.

The best of the bunch, and it’s not saying much, is probably the early part of the window from Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th. The swell is biggest and the period is longest. But you’ll be fighting the wind. It’s a case of watching the forecast closely for a shift in that wind direction.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the charts, and don’t force it.

Rusty.

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