Steamer Lane-The Slot Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got coming up at Steamer Lane – The Slot over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down.

We're kicking off with some clean, long-period groundswell rolling in. The water is sitting at 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels pretty nice on the skin. First up, Wednesday the 29th sees a 4 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 844. The morning starts with light offshore wind, so expect clean faces and that long period will have the sets stacking up nicely. This is a reef break, and that long period, high-energy groundswell is exactly what this place is built for. It’s an advanced spot, and with that swell direction right in the optimum window from the W, it'll be lining up well. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

By Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, the wind shifts to a light cross-onshore, which will put a few little ripples on the face. The swell drops a touch but the energy is still strong. It’s rideable, but not the peak of the window.

Friday the 31st offers a real standout moment. The morning has a 6 ft NW bump, but it's short-period at 8 seconds and cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. However, Friday afternoon turns it on. The swell drops back to 3 ft from the SSW, but the wind goes glassy. Combined energy is moderate at 547, and when it’s glassy here, it’s as good as it gets for those long, drawn-out lines. This afternoon looks like the pick of the near-term.

Saturday the 1st of August has another good afternoon showing. The morning is clean with 4 ft from the WNW and offshore wind, but the real treat is the afternoon. Glassy conditions again with a 6 ft WNW swell and a 9-second period. The energy is moderate at 616. Expect clean, punchy waves on the reef. This is the other top contender in the first week.

Sunday the 2nd through Tuesday the 4th sees a solid run of 6 to 6 ft WNW swells, but the wind stays mostly onshore. It’s not terrible, and the wave energy stays in the moderate range (720 to 757), but it won’t be the clean, groomed lines we saw earlier. It’s still surfable, especially for advanced guys who can handle a bit of chop, but not the standouts.

Then we hit a real lull. From the 5th of August through to the 12th, the swell drops off and the onshore wind persists. Most days are rated poor, with wave energy dropping into the low to mid-200s. This is a dry spell in the middle of the month – not much to write home about. If you're itching for a paddle, the mornings of the 7th, 8th, and 10th offer 4 to 4 ft with offshore wind, but the energy is low. It’s a gamble.

The final hopeful note comes on the 12th of August. A small 2 ft SSW swell rolls in with an incredibly long 18-second period. Combined energy jumps back into the moderate range at 667. The morning is cross-onshore, but that long period and small size will produce clean, glidey lines at the reef. It’s a long way out – two weeks – so take it with a grain of salt, but it’s the only real pulse in that second week.

Overall, your best bets are Friday afternoon, July 31st, and Saturday afternoon, August 1st. Glassy, clean, and solid energy for the Slot. Don’t sleep on them.

Rusty.

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