Sandtracks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, let's have a look at what’s on the table for this stretch of coast. It's gonna be a bit of a test of patience, I won't lie.

We’re kicking off looking at Sandtracks (United States). The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about what you'd expect for the time of year, so no surprises there. The problem is, we’ve got a solid week or more of just… not much to get excited about. For the first ten days or so, from the 9th of July right through to the 19th, it’s a grind. We’re looking at ENE winds blowing in the 18 to 25 mph range, all cross-shore, creating a lumpy, messy cross-chop. Swell heights are bouncing between 2ft and 5ft, but the period is mostly short, between 7 and 8 seconds, so the energy is weak to moderate (combined energy between 288 and 637). The wave comment says it all – poor surf conditions. It’s just not worth paddling out for that wind-affected slop. The combined energy doesn't start getting interesting until the 12th (742), but that swell is coming from the SW with a long period (16s), which for a reef like this isn't a dealbreaker, but the wind is still a strong cross-shore mess. For a bit there on the 11th you get a 2ft SW swell with an 18-second period (combined energy 637), but again, that nasty cross-wind kills it. No standouts here, folks. This stretch is a write-off for paddle surfing; that strong cross-wind and those conditions would actually look more fun for a kite surfer than anyone with a paddle.

Then, as we move into the back half of the month, things start to shift. On the 21st of July, the energy really jumps up. The combined energy for the afternoon rockets to 1612, with an 18-second period from the east, and a 4ft swell. Even the morning on that day hits a 1047 combined energy with a 20-second period and a 3ft swell. It’s getting labelled as "marginal" because of the wind, but the raw power and those very long periods are a serious sign of a proper groundswell. Keep an eye on the 22nd as well, with combined energy at 1014 and 16-second period. The wind is still cross-shore from the ENE, though, so it's going to be lumpy. The quality is still hurt by the wind, but the raw swell energy is a big step up compared to the nothing we’ve been looking at. For a real standout, if the wind ever cooperates around the 21st or 22nd, that’s your best chance, but right now it's a promising but uncertain call so far out.

So, bottom line: for the first week and a half, leave the boards in the car. After that, around the 21st of July, keep a very close eye on the forecast. That long-period E swell has serious potential if the wind eases off.

Rusty out.

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