Ritoque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break it down for you at Ritoque.

First thing, the water is running a bit colder than normal, sitting at 54°. It’s over a degree off the average, so you’ll want a hood if you’re heading out.

The surf kicks off Monday the 13th. Monday morning is the real standout – a solid 6ft WSW groundswell with a 18-second period. That’s a very long period, so the sets will have serious power, and the gaps between them will be longer. The energy is huge (2505), and the wind is glassy, dead flat. For experienced surfers, this is about as clean as it gets. Monday afternoon the swell jumps to 8ft (3649 energy), still glassy, but that size is pushing into expert territory. If you’ve got the chops, go for it. The morning is the pick.

Tuesday the 14th brings a big pulse. The morning has 10ft WSW swell (2723 energy), but it’s onshore with a cross wind. That’s too big for this break, and the wind won’t help. The afternoon drops to 8ft, but the wind and tide are questionable. Not a great day.

Wednesday the 15th is a drop-off. Swell is down to 6ft and dropping, with cross-shore winds. Energy is moderate (868). The quality is marginal, and the conditions are just ordinary. Not worth paddling out.

Thursday the 16th is a write-off. We’ve got a 8ft short-period NW windswell (6 seconds) with a strong cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (605), but the wind is howling at 15 mph in the morning, and by afternoon it’s a near gale from the north at 34 mph. That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing. Stay on the beach.

Friday the 17th is another big one. The morning brings 12ft NW swell (2700 energy) with a cross wind, and the afternoon is 10ft with cross-offshore winds. Both are too big for this spot. The energy is huge, but it’s a pass for paddle surfing.

Saturday the 18th is a mess. Swell drops to 4ft and 5ft, but with stormy winds and cross conditions. Energy is low (472-898). Not worth a look.

Now here’s the next good window. Sunday the 19th. The morning is glassy with a 5ft WNW groundswell at 11 seconds (849 energy). That’s clean, and the wind is dead calm. The afternoon turns offshore from the ESE at 9 mph, which will keep the waves clean. This is a solid, surfable day for intermediates.

Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd is a bit of a lull. Swell is small (3ft to 5ft), winds are cross or onshore, and the energy is weak (195-394). Conditions are marginal. Not much to get excited about.

Then we get a late-week pulse. Wednesday the 22nd afternoon sees a 6ft SW groundswell (12 seconds) with a cross-offshore wind. Energy is solid (1265). Thursday the 23rd has 8ft SW swell (11 seconds) with a cross-offshore wind in the morning (1321 energy). That’s a decent size, but the wind is cross, so it won’t be perfect. The afternoon on Thursday the 23rd gets a cross wind, so the morning is the better call.

The final standout is on Tuesday the 28th. The morning is glassy with a 5ft W groundswell at 12 seconds (771 energy). That’s clean, well-shaped, and a good size for intermediates. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore wind, so the early session is the one.

Overall, Monday the 13th morning is the absolute best on offer – glassy, long-period groundswell, and proper energy. Sunday the 19th and Tuesday the 28th mornings are also worth marking on the calendar. The rest of the fortnight is a mix of too big, too windy, or too small.

Rusty.

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