San Mateo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it for San Mateo. This is a point break that's exposed to the NW, but we're seeing a long period of swell from the SW, which is not its optimum direction. It's an inconsistent spot, so when it's on, it's magic, but it takes the right conditions to line up. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is a massive 9° warmer than normal for this time of year – that's way above average, you'll be sweating in your wetsuit, or more likely just wearing boardies.

The first real chance to get wet doesn't come until Friday the 7th of August. Friday morning is the absolute standout of the whole forecast. The sun is out, there's a glassy, slight air coming off the SW, which is actually cross-offshore for this break. The swell is a modest 3 ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, generating moderate wave energy (516). That's a classic groundswell pulse. The long period and point break setup means the lines will wrap in nicely, holding shape, and the glassy conditions will have it looking like a mirror. It's an advanced wave, so keep that in mind, but for those who know the lineup, this is the session to circle.

Friday afternoon sees the wind swing to a cross-on 12 mph WSW breeze, and the surf gets messy. The rest of the first week is a tough watch. Saturday the 8th through Sunday the 9th are all cross-shore and cross-on winds with moderate energy (225-432), and the conditions are poor. Monday the 10th morning has a similar 3 ft SW swell, but the cross-shore wind is just a gentle breeze, making it marginal. The tide might be a factor, but it's the only other sniff of something rideable in that first week.

The second week starts with a whole lot of chop and strong winds. The wind stays up, and the swell gets messy. The only real highlight in the second half is Saturday the 15th of August morning. The water is a bit bumpy with some clouds, but the wind is light and cross-shore. The swell is building to 5 ft from the SW with a 15-second period, pumping strong to very strong wave energy (1123). That's a decent amount of juice. However, at 5 ft, it's getting into the size that might be too much for beginners, and the long period on a point means it will be powerful and walling up. It's a marginal call due to the light cross-chop, but it's the best bet for a bigger wave in the later part of the forecast. For the rest of the week, it's more of the same: cross-onshore winds and poor quality.

The last few days, from the 20th onwards, the energy drops back, and the wind stays a problem. There's a gap of several days at the end with no real options. Overall, it's a lean forecast for San Mateo. The Friday the 7th morning glass-off is the one to chase. The 15th of August holds some promise for the bigger wave crew, but don't get your hopes up too high for the rest.

Rusty.

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