Rockpile Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it's a bit of a tricky stretch. The swell is hanging around, but the wind just won't play nice for most of it. It's not a total loss, but you'll have to pick your moments.

We're looking at Rockpile. This is a consistent reef break, so it's always worth a look. The water temperature is sitting at 75°F, which is a whopping 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that's very unusual, feels like a tropical bath.

The pattern starts off a bit frustrating. Through Sunday the 9th and into Monday the 10th, we've got clean conditions but the wind is cross-onshore, messing up what little swell there is at 3 ft. The swell energy is weak, sitting around 320 (combined energy), so it's small and a bit choppy. Not really worth paddling out for.

Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are more of the same. The swell stays small, around 2 ft to 3 ft, and the wind is a light cross-onshore. The energy picks up a bit on Wednesday afternoon to 398 (combined energy), but it's still not clean. The conditions are described as "poor" or "marginal."

The first real chance for a wave comes on the morning of Thursday the 13th. The wind swings to a light onshore from the SW, and we've got a 2 ft, 16-second groundswell. The energy is moderate at 323 (combined energy). The wave comment says "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions," so it's a gamble, but the long period (over 15 seconds) means there's good shape and energy, just long waits between sets. The biggest issue is the wind is directly onshore, which will make it messy.

The real standout, and the best on offer in this whole period, looks like Friday the 14th. The morning session has a 2 ft, 18-second groundswell from the SW, with the wind going light and cross-shore. The energy is strong at 563 (combined energy). It's a "marginal" call, but a light cross-shore wind on a long-period groundswell at a reef like Rockpile can be *really* good. That long period means the waves will have plenty of punch and shape, but at a reef, it should wrap in nicely. This is the one to circle on your calendar. The afternoon holds up too, with a similar 2 ft, 18-second swell and 553 (combined energy), though the wind picks up a touch.

Saturday the 15th sees the swell bump up a bit to 4 ft, still with a 16-second period, but the wind is a cross-onshore again. The energy is strong at 692 (combined energy), but the quality will be down. If you're desperate for a paddle, it's there, but it won't be the clean session Friday was.

After that, from Sunday the 16th all the way through to the end of the forecast on Monday the 24th, it's a bleak run. The wind stays cross or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is consistently rated as "poor." The swell sizes hover around 2 ft to 3 ft, with the energy dropping off. The 22nd of August has a tiny 1 ft, 21-second groundswell, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it's a tease. It's going to be a long, flat, and choppy week.

So, bottom line: Friday the 14th is your best bet for a good session. Get on it. The rest of the time, you're fighting the wind. And with that crazy warm water, you might as well be in a bathtub.

Rusty.

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