Shooting Gallery Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for our little stretch of coast.

Honestly, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim around here. We’ve got a long dry spell ahead before anything even slightly worth paddling out for shows up. From now until the 12th of September, the conditions are just plain ugly. Persistent northerly winds, a lot of cross-onshore junk, and the swell is small and weak – mostly under 4ft with short, choppy periods. The water is a touch warmer than average at 75°F, about 2°F above normal, but that’s about the only positive. The combined wave energy is weak all the way through, barely hitting triple digits some days, and the forecast ratings are a flat zero. You’d be better off taking the dogs for a walk.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on the 13th of September. On Sunday morning, things finally swing. We get a light, clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW, and even though the swell is just a small 4ft from the north with an 8-second period, it will be surfable. The water will be clean, and the combined energy is still moderate at best (202), but after nothing, this is a win. That afternoon stays clean but drops a touch to 3ft. It’s not a standout, just the first breath of life.

The biggest letdown is the following week. From the 14th through the 18th, it goes right back to small, weak, and messy. The best day in that run is probably the 14th, but the swell is tiny (2ft-2ft) and the winds are all over the place. Not worth the wetsuit rub.

The true standout of the entire 16-day window lands right at the end. On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, we get our best shot. The swell holds steady around 3ft from the NNE, but the real story is the wind. Light, glassy cross-offshore breezes from the west and WNW will have Shooting Gallery looking clean. This is a reef break, intermediate-level, and usually consistent, so with that offshore wind, it should be tidy. The combined wave energy is still moderate (139 on the 19th), and the period is only 7-8 seconds, so it’s not a groundswell freight train, but it’s clean, it’s small, and it’s our best bet. Keep an eye on Sunday afternoon – the wind picks up a bit, but it’s still cross-offshore.

So, to sum it up: don’t bother for the first eight days. The 13th is a tease. But the 19th and 20th of September are your best chance for a clean little session at Shooting Gallery. It won’t be big, but it’ll be fun.

Rusty.

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