Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Strand (Pipe) over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t let that fool you. The first few days are actually pretty clean, just not pumping. From Tuesday the 28th through to Friday the 31st, we’ve got a solid amount of wave energy in the water (between 152 and 1592), but the swell is a bit on the small side for the most part. The real story is the wind. Tuesday sees a fresh offshore breeze from the ESE making for clean, lined-up waves despite the 6ft SSW swell. It’s a bit blown out for the afternoon, but not terrible. Wednesday morning is the pick of the early week: light offshore wind from the East, 4ft of SSW swell, and the water is a mild 60°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. By Wednesday afternoon, it goes glassy, and that’s a sweet session for the intermediate crew.

Thursday and Friday are small, with 3ft and 3ft swells, but dead calm and glassy conditions. Perfect for a log or a funboard. The combined energy drops off noticeably (around 200-365), so it’s not going to be a barnburner, but it’s surfable and clean.

Then we hit a bit of a flat spot. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd keep the tiny swell but the wind gets messy on Sunday with a cross-shore and onshore flow, making it pretty poor. Monday the 3rd is where things start to get interesting again. The swell jumps to 5ft with a 15-second period, and the morning is glassy. That’s a solid combo, and the energy is back up (966). The afternoon gets even better for the experienced crew: 6ft, clean cross-off wind, and a 14-second period. That’s the first real standout.

Tuesday the 4th is another good one, with knee-to-waist high glassy waves.

Now, here’s where it gets a bit wild. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are a write-off. Strong winds, cross-onshore, lumpy, and the swell is all over the place. Don’t bother.

But hold on to your boards for Friday the 7th of August. That morning is the best option of the entire forecast. We’re looking at 8ft of SSW swell, with a 15-second period and a clean, cross-off wind from the SE. The combined energy is a massive 3156. This is big, powerful, and clean. It’s for experts only. The afternoon stays clean but the wind picks up a bit. This is a true standout.

Saturday the 8th is also excellent for experienced surfers, with 6ft to 7ft, offshore and cross-off winds, and plenty of energy.

Then the big one lands on Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th. Sunday the 9th has a 15ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period. The combined energy is off the charts at 12592. That is massive, heavy, and very, very long period. It’s going to be a beast at the beach break, but for the right crew on a reef or point, it’s a dream. The wind is clean cross-off in the afternoon. Monday the 10th is slightly smaller at 13ft, but with a solid 15-second period and a moderate offshore wind. Again, expert territory only. The energy is still huge (6550).

The last few days from Tuesday the 11th to Wednesday the 12th settle down into excellent, clean conditions with 6ft to 6ft swells and glassy or light offshore winds. A great way to finish the run.

The real standouts are the morning of Friday the 7th of August and the afternoon of Sunday the 9th of August. Friday is the most reliable of the big swells, with perfect wind and a manageable size for experts. Sunday is the biggest, rawest energy, but it’s a long-period groundswell that could be a bit too straight for the beach but absolutely firing on the reef.

This is Rusty, signing off. Keep your eyes on the horizon.

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