Roads End Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into what Roads End is looking like over the next couple weeks.

The first week and a half is pretty underwhelming. Small swell, poor wind direction, and the water is running way colder than normal – we’re talking about 5° colder than usual for this time of year (51°F). That’s a big swing. You’ll need the thick rubber.

Starting Friday, August 21st, you’ve got 3ft swell out of the WNW, combined energy at 406 (moderate). But the SSW wind at 6 mph is cross, so it’s messy. Saturday and Sunday don’t get any better – swell stays small, around 2ft to 4ft, with short periods under 10 seconds, and the wind keeps shifting cross or cross-onshore. Not worth getting wet.

That trend runs through the end of the month. Swell stays under 4ft, mostly from the SW or WNW, with short 7 to 8 second periods. Winds are cross or cross-onshore most days. Energy readings are moderate but the quality is poor. There’s a short window on the morning of Thursday, August 27th, with 4ft swell and offshore wind from the west at 6 mph, but the period is short and it’s only marginal. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, Tuesday, September 1st, things change. A solid 7ft groundswell rolls in from the NW with a period of 11 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 1177 (strong). The wind is light cross-onshore from the NNW at 6 mph. That’s real, powerful swell – over 8ft, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The morning is the cleaner window; the afternoon picks up to 16 mph from the north and gets choppy. This is the one to aim for. The NW direction fits Roads End well, and the long period gives it some proper punch.

Wednesday the 2nd drops to 4ft with moderate energy at 372, and the wind is cross at 13 mph. Not as clean. Thursday the 3rd builds back to 7ft to 7ft from the NW, period 9 seconds, with energy in the mid 600s to 700s. The wind is gentle to moderate cross, so it’s a bit lumpy. Still size for those who don’t mind.

Friday, September 4th, holds the 7ft NW swell with light cross-onshore wind at 6 mph. Energy is strong at 798 to 808. Morning and afternoon both look marginal, but with that size and light wind, it’s the second standout. Too big for beginners.

From Saturday the 5th, it fades – 5ft, period drops to 8 seconds, wind turns cross-onshore from the SSW at 9 mph. Quality falls off.

So, the best bet is Tuesday morning, September 1st – big 7ft NW groundswell, strong energy, and the lightest wind of that stretch. Friday September 4th is a close second. The rest is small, messy, or both. Just wait it out.

- Rusty

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