San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about the local surf situation for San Mateo.

Alright folks, I've been staring at the charts for San Mateo, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow grind for the next week and a half. We've got a solid point break here, which ideally loves that NW swell, but we're stuck with a persistent SW pulse for the foreseeable future. The water is cooking at 81°F, which is a whopping 9°F warmer than usual – that’s incredibly unusual, like swimming in a bath.

The pattern is pretty grim for the next ten days. The combined swell energy is mostly moderate, but the wind is the real killer. It’s almost constantly cross-on or just plain cross, and that’s keeping things choppy and messy. We’ve got a long run of poor surf conditions with a few "marginal" mornings tossed in. There are a couple of tiny windows with light breezes on the 18th and 22nd mornings, but the swell is tiny – around 3ft and 2ft respectively – and the period is either short or just average. It’s just not worth paddling out for.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Now, I don’t want to be a total downer, because the back half of this forecast is where it gets interesting. Hold on to your boards.

The real standout, the one you want to circle on your calendar, is Friday the 28th of August. I’m talking about the morning session. We’re looking at a solid 4ft SW swell, but with a period of 19 seconds. That is very long-period groundswell, so it’s going to have some serious energy and shape. The combined energy is a whopping (1036), which is strong. But the best part? The wind is forecast to be light and cross-offshore. That’s going to groom the point into perfection for experienced surfers. The conditions are described as clean, and I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn't beating a little faster. For the advanced crew, that Friday morning is the only real show in town.

The morning after, Saturday the 29th, also has potential. The swell is a bit bigger at 5ft with a 16-second period, and the energy is even higher at (1154). The wind is light and cross-shore, so it could be okay, but it’s a little more on the side of marginal. If the tide is right, it could be a fun backup, but Friday is the one.

Other than that, the rest of the second week is a mix of building swells but with onshore winds ruining the party. For the week leading up to the 28th, it’s pretty much a write-off. I’m talking a full 10-day gap where there's just nothing worth recommending. But keep an eye on that Friday the 28th morning – that’s our shot.

Rusty.

Read more