Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s happening at Strand (Pipe) for the next couple of weeks. It’s a beach and reef setup, exposed to the southwest swell, which is exactly what we want to see.

We’re starting off with a pulse of swell on Thursday, August 6th. Thursday morning there’s a solid 7 ft SW groundswell, offshores from the SSE, and the water is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is strong at 1326, so there’s a lot of power in the water. With a 13-second period, it’s a proper groundswell, but at 7 ft, it’s on the bigger side—probably for the experienced crew. The wind stays clean, so the morning is the pick of Thursday. The afternoon sees the wind pick up to 12 mph, still cross-off, but the swell bumps to 7 ft, and the energy jumps to 1411. It’s a bit more of a handful.

Friday, August 7th looks like a real standout. Morning glassy conditions with a 7 ft SSW groundswell, period a very long 15 seconds, and the energy is massive at 1911. That’s powerful, long-period energy. At a reef setup like Strand, that long period should wrap in nicely, but the size means it’s for the experienced guys only. The wind is a light cross-off from the NE, making for clean conditions. Friday afternoon the wind turns cross-on from the SW, so that morning window is the one to aim for.

Saturday, August 8th is a step down. The swell drops to 6 ft, and the energy falls to 1042. The wind is a light cross-shore, but the morning is clean enough. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-on breeze and a bigger 8 ft swell, but it’s choppy.

Sunday, August 9th is a big one. The morning brings an 12 ft SW swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 5333. That’s a serious amount of water moving. The wind is a fresh cross-off from the SSE, so the face will be clean, but at over 8 ft, this is strictly for the experts. The afternoon drops to 8 ft, still clean, but the energy is still high at 1539.

Monday and Tuesday look a bit more manageable. Monday, August 10th has 6 ft S swell, but the wind is strong from the ESE at 12-18 mph, cross-off, so it’s clean but blown out. Energy is moderate at 876. Tuesday, August 11th offers a better window. Morning sees a 6 ft S swell with a 12-second period and clean offshore winds from the E at 9 mph. The energy is 961, and conditions are very good. That’s a solid choice for intermediates.

Now, Wednesday, August 12th – mark this one. The morning is completely glassy, zero wind, with a 4 ft SW groundswell that has a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy is 1313. That’s a dreamy combo. Clean, glassy conditions, long period, and a manageable size. This is a standout for the more experienced surfer who can handle the long period.

The rest of the second week drops off significantly. From Thursday, August 13th through to the 21st, the swell hangs around 3 ft to 5 ft, with periods mostly around 12-13 seconds. The energy drops into the 200-700 range. There are a few clean windows, like Thursday afternoon the 13th with a 4 ft SW swell and 16-second period, or the glassy conditions on Sunday afternoon the 16th, but the size is small. The best of the late period is a clean, offshore morning on Friday, August 21st with 4 ft SW swell and 13-second period, but it’s not a standout.

The best on offer: Friday, August 7th for the powerful, long-period SSW groundswell and clean morning conditions, and Wednesday, August 12th for the glassy, long-period, clean perfection. Both are for the experienced crew.

Rusty, out.

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