Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the long-range look at the Strand (Pipe). Strap in, because this one’s got some spice in the second week, but the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag.

Right off the bat, the water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at about 58°F. You’ll feel that chill on the paddle out.

Things kick off on Wednesday the 2nd, but don’t get too excited just yet. We’ve got a solid 6ft southwest swell rolling in, with a long period of 13 seconds and moderate to strong wave energy (1299). Problem is, it’s a bit of a washing machine out there with a light cross-shore breeze messing with the surface. Tide conditions are questionable too, so it’s more one for watching than for paddling out. That’s the best on offer for Wednesday, truth be told.

Thursday the 3rd sees the swell drop right down to 3ft, and the wind swings cross-offshore, cleaning things up nicely for the morning. It’s small, but for a longboard or a funboard, it’s a good chance for a cruisy session. By the afternoon, though, the wind howls up to 25 mph and the swell jumps to 8ft with a short 9-second period. That’s messy and probably more fun for the kite crew than paddle surfers.

Friday the 4th is much the same story – solid 8ft swell, but that howling 25-28 mph wind keeps things rough. One for the experts only, if anyone’s keen.

Saturday the 5th morning offers a silver lining: a 6ft southeast swell with a clean offshore breeze. The period’s a short 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and won’t have that punchy grunt, but at least it’ll be clean. By afternoon, the wind picks up again and the quality fades.

Now, listen up, because Sunday the 6th is the standout of the whole forecast. The morning brings a 5ft south-southwest groundswell with a very long 18-second period and strong wave energy (1549). That’s proper long-period energy, which at a beach-and-reef setup like the Strand (Pipe) might make it break a little straight, but the power and shape will be there for experienced surfers. And wait, the afternoon? Glassy. Dead flat calm wind, 4ft swell, 16-second period – that’s as clean as it gets for a Sunday afternoon session. If you can only pick one window, this is it.

Things go quiet again from Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 9th. We’re looking at messy cross-onshore winds and small, weak swell. Not worth the drive.

Thursday the 10th morning gives us a glimmer – a glassy 3ft west-southwest swell. It’s tiny, but it’s clean. Nothing to write home about, but a fun little dawny if you’re local.

The following week, from the 11th to the 13th, the southeast winds are back with a cross-offshore flow, bringing some chest-to-head-high swell (4ft to 7ft), but the period stays short, and the conditions are just marginal. The best of that stretch is Sunday the 13th afternoon, which sees a 8ft southeast swell with moderate energy (1163) and clean conditions, but nothing special.

Then we get a real treat on the 14th and 15th. Monday the 14th morning is dead calm and glassy with a tiny 2ft south-southwest swell. Tuesday the 15th is even better: zero wind again, glassy as a mirror, with a clean 4ft southwest swell all day. Perfect for a longboard or a mid-length. Not big, but gorgeous.

And finally, the 16th and 17th. Wednesday the 16th afternoon brings a proper big swell – 10ft from the south-southwest with a very long 16-second period and very strong wave energy (4975). That’s a lot of water moving, and with a cross-shore breeze, it’ll be a beast. Only for the hardcore experts. Thursday the 17th pulls back to a still-chunky 7ft southwest swell with cross-offshore winds, cleaner but still heavy. This whole late-period action is promising, but with it being so far out, keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.

So, bottom line: Sunday the 6th is your absolute best bet, and the glassy mornings of the 14th and 15th are sneaky good for smaller gear. The big stuff on the 16th and 17th is for the brave.

Rusty.

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