San Vicente Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s be honest with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper surf, especially if you’re after anything with real push. The swell is coming from the northwest, which is the right direction for the rivermouth, but the energy just isn’t there for the first stretch. We’re looking at a long flat spell until things finally wake up.

We start with a big gap. From Wednesday the 26th through to Thursday the 27th, there’s nothing but tiny, weak waves. You’re looking at 1ft to 2ft of swell, and the energy figures are barely registering – we’re talking 18 to 44 here. It’s a lake out there, and the wind is either glassy or light but messy enough to keep it from being any good. Not worth paddling out.

Friday the 28th shows a little pulse, but it’s not much to write home about. The morning has 4ft at 8 seconds, which is weak and junky, with only moderate energy (169). The wind is light offshore, so it’s clean, but the waves are just so-so. Afternoon gets a bit more size, 5ft, and the energy jumps to 486, but the wind turns onshore and it gets messy. It’s a frustrating tease.

Saturday the 29th is more of the same – 4ft and 4ft, but the energy drops back down, and the winds are all over the place, keeping it cross and choppy. Not good. The surfable window finally opens up on Sunday the 30th. The morning is looking like our first real chance. There’s 5ft of swell from the NW with a 11 second period, which is proper groundswell. The energy is strong at 492, and the wind is dead calm, glassy. This is the first morning I’d actually get excited about. The waves should have some shape to them, and with the glass, the rivermouth could be fun for an intermediate crew. It’s a little smaller in the afternoon, but still clean.

Monday the 31st follows it up nicely. The morning has 5ft at 9 seconds, with energy at 351 and a glassy wind. It’s a touch shorter period but still has some grunt. The afternoon gets a bit cross-onshore and loses quality, so get on it early. That Sunday and Monday morning duo is the standout of the whole forecast – the best on offer by a long shot.

After that, it backslides into mediocrity. Tuesday the 1st of September is small again, and from then on it’s a frustrating mix of weak NW pulses and plenty of cross-shore and onshore winds. There’s a day on the 6th of September where the swell gets to 3ft with a long 12 second period and glassy morning conditions, but it’s still small and the energy is moderate at best (237). The rest of that second week is mostly poor, with onshore slop and small surf.

So, here’s the plan: if you’re an intermediate and you want a wave, circle Sunday the 30th of August morning. That’s the one. The rivermouth will be glassy with a clean 5ft NW groundswell. Monday morning is a close second, but it’s got a bit shorter period. Everything else in this 16-day window is mostly a skunk, but the rivermouth holds onto the better energy when it comes. Stay patient.

Rusty

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