Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's run through what Rolling Stones is offering up over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of real gems if you can time it right.

First thing, the water is clocking in at about 54°F, which is a bit cooler than average for this time of year—definitely time for a thick wetsuit.

The first few days, starting Monday the 17th, are a write-off. We’ve got a big 13ft S swell, but it’s getting hammered by fresh to strong cross-onshore winds out of the south. The combined wave energy is massive (3288), but the quality is totally poor and lumpy. That big southerly swell with a short period and onshore wind is just ugly. This mess carries on through Tuesday and Wednesday with similar wind and messy conditions.

We get a bit of a break on Thursday the 20th. The wind drops to a gentle breeze, still cross-shore. The swell is down to 8ft from the S, with a decent 13-second period, and the energy is still strong (4342). It's marginal due to tide, but it's the first real sign of life.

Now, here's your main standout. Friday the 21st is the day. Clear skies, a light offshore wind from the NW, and a 6ft S swell with a very long 16-second period. The energy is strong (1683) and it's clean. This is a reef break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in beautifully. It's overhead, so it’s for experienced surfers, and you can expect some company. This is the session to plan for.

The weekend fades out. Saturday the 22nd is marginal with a smaller 3ft S swell and a moderate cross-offshore breeze. Sunday is down to tiny 2ft waves. The energy drops off a cliff.

The next week starts slow again, but look at Monday the 24th afternoon and Tuesday the 25th. Offshore winds from the NW return, with clean conditions. Swell is 4 to 4ft from the S, but the period is massive—14 to 19 seconds. The energy is moderate to strong (531-921). It's not big, but those long-period S swells on a reef with offshore wind will produce some beautiful, long walls. A really promising run.

Things get a bit messy mid-week, but then another potential standout pops up around Friday the 28th of August. A 8ft S swell with a 15-second period, a light cross-offshore breeze, and very strong energy (2662). The morning is rated excellent for experienced surfers. At 8ft, it's getting into expert-only territory, but the conditions are clean.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th sees the swell ease but with glassy conditions and offshore light airs on Saturday afternoon. A good call for a smaller board.

So, bottom line: the first few days are a bust. Your best bets are Friday the 21st for the bigger, cleaner groundswell, and the window around Monday the 24th into Tuesday the 25th for the smaller, super clean, long-period lines. Score it.

Rusty.

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