Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid stretch of southerly groundswell lining up for Rolling Stones, and it’s definitely one for the experienced crew. This is a reef setup, fairly consistent, and it handles south swell really good. Water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild to report there.

The action kicks off Friday morning, July 17th. Glassy conditions, light NNW air, and a 5ft south-east groundswell with a 16-second period – that’s proper long-period energy. The combined energy reading is 1445, which is strong, but it’s not out of control. Sets will be clean, lined up, and pushing through. This is a classic advanced wave, too much for beginners, but for the right surfer, it’s going to be excellent. The wind stays light through the afternoon, but it goes cross-shore, making it a bit more tricky.

Saturday morning, July 18th, is another standout. Clean conditions again with a light cross-offshore breeze, 5ft of swell from the southeast, still a nice 14-second period. The energy is still strong at 1431. This is where you want to be – the wave shape will be forgiving for a reef setup, but it’s still meaty. Saturday afternoon sees a switch to a longer period 24-second south swell, but it’s only 4ft and the wind turns cross-on, so it’s not the pick.

Sunday morning, July 19th, the swell bumps up to 7ft from the south, with a 17-second period, and the energy jumps to 3239. That’s a lot of power. Now, this is getting into expert-only territory. The wind is light cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect, but it will be big and surging. For most, this is a watch-and-wonder day.

The real highlight for the first week lands on Tuesday morning, July 21st. Yeah, it’s raining, but look – the wind goes glassy in the afternoon, and the swell is 7ft from the south, 15-second period, with a combined energy of 2097. That afternoon session is going to be epic. Clean, powerful, and lined up. If you can, get in the water then.

Monday morning, July 20th, is also a solid call with 6ft south swell, a 15-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze keeping it clean. Energy is 1616. That’s a very good, very surfable morning.

After that, the energy drops mid-week. Wednesday and Thursday, July 22nd and 23rd, the swell drops to 4ft and then 2ft, with the period shortening. The conditions are clean, but the waves are just ordinary. There’s a two-day gap where the surf is very small and weak.

We get a little pulse back on Saturday morning, July 25th, with 3ft from the southeast, but the wind is howling from the NNE at 12 mph, so it’s pretty poor. The afternoon cleans up with offshore wind, but the swell is tiny.

The next real chance comes on Tuesday morning, July 28th. A clean 5ft swell from the SSE, with a 9-second period, cross-offshore wind, and energy of 459. That’s small, but it will be clean and fun. The afternoon goes glassy, 4ft, and a longer 11-second period. That’s a nice little window for a mellow session.

The last week turns messy. Strong winds and rain on the 27th and 29th ruin any chance of good surf. The swell is there, but the wind is a problem. The last good-looking morning is Saturday, August 1st, with 3ft from the southeast, a 14-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. Energy is 470 – small but clean.

Bottom line: The best swell is Friday morning the 17th and Tuesday afternoon the 21st. Get on it. The long-period groundswell will make it a proper reef grind, so if you’re not on it, you’ll be watching the sets march through.

Rusty.

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