Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

We've got a solid run of surf coming up at Shida, but it's not for everyone. The water is sitting at 73° which is a couple of degrees cooler than usual for this time of year, so you might want a thicker spring suit.

The action kicks off on Thursday the 9th of July with a solid 6ft SSE groundswell. The energy is pumping hard at (1626). Thursday morning is glassy, which is a dream, but the sets are packing enough punch for experienced surfers only. Thursday afternoon the wind shifts to a cross-off, but the swell drops a touch to 5ft. Still very clean, though.

Friday the 10th is where it really starts to get interesting. The swell builds to 7ft from the S Friday morning, with a sweet offshore wind. The period jumps to 15 seconds, giving the waves real grunt (2089). By Friday afternoon it's 7ft, 16-second period, and still offshore. This is proper groundswell, so it'll be powerful and lined up, but at a beach break it might be a bit too straight. The energy is through the roof (2467), and these are not beginner waves.

Saturday the 11th is the standout. We're looking at 7ft S swell, 17-second period, and offshore winds all day. Morning is clean with a gentle offshore, and the afternoon stays offshore with a bit more breeze. The combined energy is massive (2964). This is the pick of the first week. The swell direction is bang on the optimum from the SE, and with the wind cooperating, it's going to be epic for anyone with the skills. The water will be a bit cold, but you won't care.

Sunday the 12th holds a 6ft SSW swell in the morning, with cross-off winds. It's still clean, but the size drops into the afternoon. The energy is still moderate (1964). The crowd factor is listed as "often", so expect company.

From Monday the 13th through to Sunday the 19th, the surf really drops off. We're looking at a long stretch of small, weak waves. From Monday the 13th to Wednesday the 15th, there's a brief window of 3ft to 3ft surf, but it's marginal at best. After that, it's a long run of 2ft to 2ft stuff with energy readings barely breaking 100. This is a real lull, and there's nothing to recommend here.

Then, we get a second pulse. Monday the 20th of July sees a new SSE swell arrive, 4ft in the morning, building to 5ft in the afternoon. The energy returns (604), and the wind is offshore. This is a welcome return to form.

Tuesday the 21st is the second big standout. A 6ft S swell with a 14-second period and offshore winds. The energy is very strong (1799). The forecast points to "excellent surf for experienced surfers" – this is a proper, powerful swell. The only thing to watch is that Tuesday afternoon the swell is predicted to hit 10ft. That's too big for this break, according to the book. So the morning session is the one to go for.

Wednesday the 22nd is for experts only. The swell is 12ft from the S with a 14-second period, and the energy is off the charts (5022). The wind is offshore, but the size is intimidating. Most people should stay out of the water.

Things settle down after that. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th offer 8ft dropping to 6ft S swell, with offshore winds and clean conditions. The energy stays strong. This is excellent, solid surf that's more manageable. Light winds on Friday the 24th mean it'll be really clean.

To sum it up: the best windows are the morning of Saturday the 11th of July for the biggest, most powerful sets, and the morning of Tuesday the 21st of July for a slightly smaller but still powerful swell. Be aware of the crowds and the cooler water.

Rusty.

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