Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s cooking for Shida over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way. The pattern kicks off with some decent energy, but it’s not all smooth sailing. There’s a lot of wind to deal with in the middle of the run, so you’ll need to pick your moments. The swell energy is strong, clocking in at a hefty 1029 (combined energy of all swells directed here) on Friday the 7th, but it’s a serious swell – 5ft at 12 seconds from the south – and that’s going to be a handful for anyone but experienced surfers. The water is much colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 76°, a full 4° below average, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.

The standout window is that Friday afternoon, August 7th. The wind is offshore from the SSE, and the waves are clean with that solid south swell. This is the best on offer: a proper, powerful groundswell with good shape. It’s a bit of a heavyweight, so only for those who know what they’re doing. Crowds are often a thing here, so expect some company.

Saturday morning, August 8th, is still looking good. The swell drops to 4ft from the south, period 11 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s clean, less intense, and a much better option for intermediate surfers. The energy is still moderate (622 combined energy of all swells directed here). Saturday afternoon gets a little trickier with a shift in direction and a drop in quality.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Sunday, August 9th, through to Sunday, August 16th, the wind is a problem. It’s mostly onshore or cross-shore, often fresh and lumpy, making the surf messy. There’s plenty of swell, but it’s not worth paddling out for. The week of the 10th to the 16th is a write-off. On Wednesday the 12th, we see a brief moment of glassy conditions in the afternoon with a small 3ft wave, but the period is a short 10 seconds and the energy is low (284 combined energy of all swells directed here). Not a standout.

Things start to turn around again on Monday, August 17th. The morning is clean with a light offshore from the south, and a 5ft swell from the east at 10 seconds. It’s not huge, but it’s clean. The afternoon gets better with a 5ft swell from the ENE, a moderate offshore, and a very good surf forecast. The energy is solid (864 combined energy of all swells directed here). This is your second chance at a good session.

The rest of the run into the second week is small but clean. Tuesday the 18th through Saturday the 22nd sees waves between 3ft and 4ft, mostly from the east or south, with light winds and clean conditions. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it’s perfect for a longboard or a fun fish. The energy is below 400 (combined energy of all swells directed here), so it’s weak, but good for a cruise.

Overall, the best bet is Friday the 7th for the experienced crew, and Monday the 17th for a solid, clean session. The rest is either windy or small.

Rusty.

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