San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright surfers, Rusty here. Let’s break down San Mateo.

The water is running warm – 81°F, which is a solid 9° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s way out of the ordinary, so leave the wetsuit at home.

Right now, we’re looking at a slow start. The first few days have tiny swell and the winds are messy – cross and cross-on shore – so the wave quality is poor. Don’t bother paddling out on Wednesday the 26th or Thursday the 27th; there’s nothing happening. Friday the 28th morning shows a little life with 1.0 ft from the SW and a very long period of 18 seconds, but the energy is only moderate (661) and the wind is cross. It’s marginal at best.

Saturday the 29th morning is the first real standout. Swell builds to 2 ft from the SW with a period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a strong 1073. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so conditions will be rideable, but expect a little cross-chop. This is a point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Sunday morning the 30th is also worth a look, with 1 ft and moderate energy, but the cross-shore wind is a bit stronger.

There’s a big gap of poor surf from the 31st of August through the 1st of September. Then, on the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September, we get a glassy moment. The wind goes glass – WSW at 3 mph – and we have 1.0 ft of SW swell with a period of 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (501) and conditions are expected to be very good. This is a rare window of perfection, and for a point break that’s inconsistent, it’s a real treat. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get there early.

The rest of the first week of September sees a mix of marginal and poor conditions, with onshore winds spoiling the fun. The morning of Thursday the 3rd has 1 ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, but the wind is light cross-on, so it’s just a maybe.

For the second week, the outlook is quieter. The best bet is the morning of Monday the 8th of September, with 1.0 ft from the SW and a period of 18 seconds under a light cross-on breeze. The energy is strong (819), but that wind direction keeps it from being clean. The morning of Wednesday the 9th also has some potential with 2 ft from the SW, but the wind is cross-shore and the energy is high (1087). It’s all marginal.

Truth is, this 16-day window is patchy. The point needs a clean wind to shine, and we’re not getting much of it. If you’re a glassy-weather surfer, circle Wednesday the 2nd of September.

Rusty.

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