Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up.

We’ve got a real mixed bag of a forecast for Rivermouth. The first few days are a write-off, and then we get a massive, powerful groundswell that’s only for the brave. After that, conditions get messy again. The standout window is tight, but it’s a good one for the crew that are comfortable in big water.

The water temperature is sitting at 64°F right now, which is a whopping 5°F colder than normal for this time of year. That’s a serious chill, so don’t even think about a spring suit; you’ll want the thickest rubber you’ve got.

We’re looking at a blank run starting now. Thursday the 23rd is a total no-go with a weak 4ft SSW swell and a cross-shore wind that’s going to leave it chopped up and ugly. The combined energy is a measly (528) – just not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 24th morning is a beast, but it’s a dangerous one. The swell is pumping at a solid 10ft from the SSW, with a period of 12 seconds and a massive energy reading of (4175). That’s way too big for anyone but the experts. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not going to be clean, but the real problem is the size. This is a “hold my beer and watch this” kind of day, not a beginner session. The afternoon drops to 6ft with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is still cross-shore and the conditions are only marginal.

The best of the whole forecast lands on Saturday morning, July 25th. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. We’ve got a clean 4ft groundswell from the SSW with a 14-second period and a combined energy of (1055). The wind is glassy – absolutely dead calm from the south. That’s the kind of morning where the ocean looks like a mirror. The waves will be long, clean, and have plenty of push. It’s still a bit of a paddle out with that period, but the points and reefs will be working beautifully. The difficulty is listed as beginner, but with that solid 4ft and long period, I’d say it’s more of a fun, manageable size for intermediates. Crowds are a possibility here, so get there early.

The rest of Saturday afternoon and Sunday are a steady decline. The swell fades and the wind swings around, turning it into a lumpy mess. From Sunday the 26th all the way through to Wednesday the 5th of August, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. The swell is small, the wind is mostly cross-shore or onshore, and the energy readings are weak. It’s a proper flat spell, so don’t bother.

Things get a little interesting again on Wednesday afternoon, August 5th. The wind finally swings offshore from the NNW at a light 3 mph, and the swell is 4ft from the ESE. The energy is moderate (607), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” It’s the first clean, offshore wind we’ve seen in a while, so for a mid-week session, it’ll be a fun one.

But then Thursday the 6th morning goes absolutely nuts again. We’re looking at an 12ft swell from the SE with a short 9-second period, but the energy is through the roof at (2052). That’s another expert-only wave. The wind is light from the SW, so it’s cross-shore, but the size is the main story. It’s too big for the beach break; it’s going to be a heavy, straight-handling wave. For the kite surfers, this setup with that much wind and swell will be a dream.

Friday the 7th is still solid at 8ft, but the wind is onshore and the conditions are only marginal. The window is closing on the swell, and the quality is gone.

So, to wrap it up: forget the next week. The only true standouts are the glassy, long-period groundswell on the morning of Saturday, July 25th, and the clean offshore session on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 5th. The big swells are for the experienced crew only.

Stay safe, keep your eyes on the horizon, and I’ll catch you in the water.

Rusty.

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