Steamer Lane-Middle Peak Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are going to be a real test of patience for anyone looking to get wet at the Lane. We've got a long stretch of small, jumbled-up surf ahead, with only a couple of windows that look worth the paddle out. It’s a classic summer lull, so let’s break it down day by day.

The first few days, from this Saturday the 8th through to next Friday the 14th, are going to be a write-off. We're looking at waves in the 1ft to 5ft range, but the periods are short and the energy is weak, with combined energy readings mostly in the 20s to 300s. The wind is mostly light but cross-shore, which on a spot like this messes up the lines. It’s going to be small, grovelly and pretty ordinary. Honestly, you're better off finding something else to do. The swell energy is just too weak to get anything decent breaking.

There’s a slight change on Saturday the 15th, but it’s nothing to get excited about. The swell stays small, but the wind turns light and cross-off in the afternoon, cleaning things up a little. The energy is still weak though, with values around 145. It’s surfable, but “very ordinary” is the best description. Same deal on Sunday the 16th.

Heading into the new week, the 17th and 18th, we see a little more life. The swell direction swings around to the southwest, and we get those clean, light offshore winds in the afternoon. Swell heights are still small, around 2ft to 4ft, but the energy picks up a bit, hitting 172 and 207. The period on the 18th is short though, so expect a bit of a lumpy, windswell feel. It’ll be clean, but still not the Lane at its best.

Now, for the one true standout. Mark your calendars for Wednesday the 19th. This is the window we’ve been waiting for. The morning starts glassy with a long-period WNW groundswell rolling in at 3ft and a 12-second period. The energy is moderate, with a reading of 332. It’s going to be clean and lined up. The afternoon is even better. The wind goes gentle offshore, the swell bumps up to 5ft, and the energy jumps to a strong 590. This is the best of the whole run. The Middle Peak (Santa Cruz) is going to be firing with those clean, offshore lines. It’s a reef, so that long-period swell will wrap in nicely. This is the day to be out there.

After that, the 20th sees another decent afternoon with 4ft surf and a moderate energy of 358, but the wind is more cross-off. Still a good option. The 21st is more of the same, but with shorter period and less energy. The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd looks like it fades back into the ordinary, with light cross-shore winds and weaker energy readings.

So there it is. A long, flat start, one glorious window mid-week on the 19th, and then a fade. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so a wetsuit is still the call. Keep your eye on Wednesday the 19th; that’s our best bet. Other than that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty out.

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