San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's switch over to the old measurements for my American mates. Same story, different numbers.

We're in for a dry spell over the next couple of weeks. The main spot on the menu is San Mateo, a point break that faces NW. Word is, the water is cookin' at 81°F, which is a wild 9°F warmer than average for this time of year. That's some tropical bath water.

Now, San Mateo is a sneaky, *inconsistent* break, so you gotta know when to go. The first few days, from Sunday the 6th through Tuesday the 8th, are pretty much a write-off. The wind is all over the place – cross and cross-on – chopping up a weak little swell. You're lookin' at waves around 3ft to 5ft, short period, and the energy is low to moderate. It looks more like a day for the kite gear than a surfboard.

Things get a bit more interesting mid-week. On Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th, the swell period jumps up, giving us some proper groundswell with nice shape for the point. Wave heights stay around 3ft to 4ft, but the energy gets solid. Mornings are the key with light cross-shore breezes before the onshore wind kicks up in the afternoon.

Then, from Friday the 11th all the way to Monday the 21st, it flat-lines. We're talking tiny 2ft to 3ft waves, long period but barely breaking. The energy just drops out completely, and the wind stays messy. It's a long stretch of flat, even for an inconsistent spot like this.

So, if you're itching for a surf, mark your calendar for Thursday morning, the 10th of September. It's the only window where a modest bump of 4ft swell with a good 16-second interval meets light morning winds. You might get a few clean, lined-up waves on the point before the afternoon chop ruins it. Don't be surprised if a few other locals have the same thought – crowds are *sometimes* a factor.

Other than that, keep your board waxed and your eyes on the forecast. This is a slow period.

Rusty.

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