States Avenue (Gas Chambers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, grab a coffee and settle in, because we’ve got a bit of a flat spell to get through first. Honestly, for the next week or so, it’s looking pretty grim for a proper surf. The swell is tiny, and most of the time the wind is going to mess it up anyway. We won’t see anything worth paddling out for until we get into the second week.

Let’s be real, there’s a big gap of quiet days here. From now until the 6th of September, there is basically nothing on offer. We’re talking days of tiny, weak, messy little waves that just aren’t going to give you anything back. You’d be better off taking the dog for a walk.

The first sign of life, and I mean the *first* sign, shows up on Sunday the 6th of September. Even then, it’s not great. The swell at States Avenue (Gas Chambers) bumps up to a tiny 4ft, but the period is a shocking 5 seconds. That’s pure wind chop with combined energy of only 79. It’s cross-onshore wind making it choppy. Don’t get excited.

Now, Monday the 7th of September is the first day I’d actually consider. The morning session is the pick. We get a clean 3ft swell from the east, with a light cross-offshore wind from the NNE. The combined energy hits 101 (weak to moderate), but with clean conditions, that little east swell will at least give you something to push into. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. Don't expect barrels.

After that, the pattern stays poor right through until the 11th of September. There’s a little bump in energy around the 8th and 9th, but the winds are cross or onshore, and the conditions are going to be choppy. The period jumps to 12 seconds on the 8th, which is a proper groundswell, but it’s coming from the SE which is not the optimum direction for this break. That long period groundswell, at 12 seconds, can make a beach break like this close out straight, especially when it’s only 1ft to 2ft. Not worth the paddle.

If you are desperate for a surf, the Friday 11th of September morning is the last real chance in this outlook. It’s glassy, with a light offshore from the NW. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the SE, period is a long 11 seconds, and combined energy is only 66. It’ll be clean, but you’ll be fighting for any little waist-high bump that comes through. ‘Surfable but very ordinary’ is about the best I can say for it.

So, bottom line? If you’re an expert with a log, you might get some clean little rollers on the 7th or the 11th morning. For everyone else, this 16-day stretch is a write-off. It’s just one of those runs where the ocean takes a holiday. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Read more