Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of real gems to aim for. The first proper swell hits us on Monday the 24th of August, but the real standout is waiting for you on the weekend into the following week.

First up, Monday morning the 24th at Shida. The wind is dead calm, glassy, and the water is sitting at a pretty average temperature for this time of year, nothing unusual. You’re looking at a clean 3ft SSE groundswell. That long period of 18 seconds means the waves will have proper shape and energy, but it’s not a huge wall of water. The combined energy is moderate (944). This is a great session for intermediates – the crowd can be a factor here, so get in early. It’s a really nice, clean start to the forecast.

Monday afternoon the swell jumps up to 6ft from the SSE with a 16-second period, and the wind goes offshore. The energy level is strong (1741). This is excellent surf, but at 6ft, it’s pushing into the more experienced zone. Beginners might want to watch from the sand. The wind is a moderate offshore breeze, keeping it clean.

Tuesday the 25th stays solid with 6ft SSE swell, but the wind swings cross-offshore. Still clean, but not as pristine as Monday. The energy levels are still strong (1356 on Tuesday morning, 1060 in the afternoon). It’s good surf, but the magic is fading slightly.

Wednesday the 26th through the rest of the week into early September is a real lull. The swell drops, the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the quality plummets. We’re talking about a stretch of 8 to 9 days where the surf is mostly poor or marginal. The energy numbers drop into the low hundreds (284, 240, 198) – weak stuff. The wind is messy, the period drops, and it’s not worth paddling out for anything but a frustration.

Then we get to the real payoff. Saturday the 5th of September afternoon shows a glimmer with a 3ft SSE swell, a 15-second period, and fresh offshore wind. The energy is moderate (911). It’s just a teaser, though.

The true standout hits on Sunday the 6th of September. Both the morning and afternoon produce 5ft SSE swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is offshore, moderate and clean. The combined energy is strong (918 in the morning, 1144 in the afternoon). This is the best on offer in the whole 16-day window. The size is right on the edge of being too big for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is a pumping session at Shida. The swell direction is right on the money for the spot. Expect a crowd, because this is the one to wait for.

The 7th and 8th of September stick around with some smaller, more manageable S swell (4ft to 5ft) and clean conditions, but they don’t have the same punch as that Sunday.

So, to sum it up: Monday the 24th is a great, clean start, but Sunday the 6th is the real king of this forecast. Mark your calendar for that one.

Rusty.

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