Shooting Gallery Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a straight look at what's coming up for Shooting Gallery over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I'll be honest with you, the outlook is a tough one. We've got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the first week is a real write-off. There's a big gap from now until the 22nd of August where conditions are just not on. The wind is a constant problem, mostly a cross-onshore mess from the NNE, blowing at 9 to 15 mph, and it's got the surface chopped up and lumpy. It's not about the swell size – it's there, hanging around in the 2ft to 5ft range – but it's a short-period, wind-affected affair, and the energy is moderate at best (between 166 and 272). The wave comment is "poor surf conditions" across the board, and that pretty much sums it up. There’s no saving it for a beginner or an expert; it’s just not a paddle session.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn't arrive until Saturday the 22nd of August. The swell picks up a touch to 4ft from the North, with a period of 8 seconds, giving us a moderate combined energy of 281. It’s still not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve seen. The wind, however, is still a cross-onshore from the N at 15 mph, so it won't be glassy. Sunday the 23rd looks similar, with 4ft north swell (period 9 seconds, energy 271) and the same cross-onshore wind.

The standout in this whole outlook, for me, is Wednesday the 26th of August morning. We see a 4ft swell from the North with a period stretching out to 10 seconds. That's a solid, longer-period groundswell that brings real shape and push, with a combined energy of 249. It’s a proper step up in quality. The downside? the wind is still cross-onshore from the N at 12 mph, so it won't be pristine, but that longer period will help it stand up better than the rest.

After that, it fades quickly. The 27th and 28th drop off in size and energy, and the wind gets fresh on the 28th, so we're back to square one.

So, the pick of a pretty average bunch is the morning of Wednesday the 26th of August. Shooting Gallery is a consistent reef break, so it'll handle that north swell, and the 10-second period will bring some nice lines. The optimum swell direction for Shooting Gallery is from the NNW, so this North swell is close but not dead-on; it’ll still wrap in decently. Keep an eye on that one.

For the rest of the time, if you've got a kite, that cross-onshore wind and the moderate chop might make for a better session than trying to paddle into these short, lumpy waves. Honestly, it’s one of those runs where patience is the name of the game. Forecasts can change, but for now, the calendar is looking pretty bare until that 26th.

Stay hopeful, but don't be afraid to do something else.
Rusty.

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