Rosa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down this 16-day stretch, and I’ll tell you right now, there’s a big lull to start, and then a real shot of adrenaline in the middle.

The first couple of days are weak sauce. Starting Sunday, August 2nd, we’ve got a small, weak ENE swell rolling into Rosa, maybe 5ft at 8 seconds. A light cross-off breeze keeps it clean-ish, so you might grab a few soft ones, but the energy is weak (218). Water temp is about normal. It’s a mushy, small-wave day.

Monday the 3rd is a straight-up skunk. The swell drops to 3ft, the wind is all cross-on, and the surface is a mess. Not worth paddling out. This weak pattern hangs around for a few days. Tuesday the 4th sees a little more period (12 seconds), but still only 3ft of swell, and the energy is moderate at best (412 and 338). The wind is still messing things up. Wednesday the 5th has a glassy morning with a tiny 3ft SSE swell, which will be pretty, but incredibly small. It’s a grovel fest. Thursday and Friday are more of the same, weak and disorganized.

Saturday, August 8th, the afternoon has a bit more push with 5ft of swell, but a strong cross-shore wind turns it into a choppy, bumpy mess. Not your friend.

Now, Sunday, August 9th is when the ocean remembers how to surf. A 7ft S swell with a 9-second period rolls in, the energy jumps into the strong range (807), and it’s glassy in the morning. That’s a massive improvement. The swell direction matches the optimum, so it’s got some punch. The afternoon has similar size and a bit of a cross-on breeze.

But Monday, August 10th, is the big one. The forecast is for a solid 12ft SSW groundswell with a 12-second period. The energy is at a ridiculous 5771, which is just pumping. The wind is light and it’s glassy. But for Rosa, this is too much. It’s an exposed spot, and this much water will be a full-on, hold-your-breath, hold-on-to-your-board kind of day. This is expert territory only. It’s a day to sit on the beach and watch. The afternoon drops a bit to 8ft, but still huge.

Tuesday the 11th, the swell backs down to 7ft and 7ft, with strong energy (1625 and 1222), but the winds are cross-shore, making the waves look a little lumpy and hard to read.

Wednesday, August 12th, is your day. This is the standout. A 6ft S swell with a 12-second period, strong energy (1110), and it’s glassy in the morning with a light offshore breeze. It’s going to be clean and lined up. The afternoon is even better, with the swell at 5ft, the energy at a strong (723), and the wind going totally calm. This is perfection. For experienced surfers, this is as good as it gets. This is the day to call in sick.

After that, the swell fades out. Thursday the 13th has some clean, light cross-off winds and a 4ft S swell, so you’ll find some fun ones. But Friday, the wind goes onshore and the quality tanks. The weekend sees more size, 5ft to 7ft, but the wind is straight onshore and it’s just a choppy, blown-out mess.

So, to sum it up: don’t even bother until the second week. The window from the 9th to the 12th is where it’s at, and Wednesday the 12th is the clear winner for clean, powerful surf. Just remember that Monday the 10th is a monster that’s too big for Rosa. Get after the 12th.

Rusty out.

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