Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Strand (Pipe) over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow cooker at first, but there’s some serious firepower on the horizon.

Alright, so we’re looking at a patchy start. The first few days are pretty average, with small, messy, cross-shore winds and marginal surf. The combined energy is moderate, around 434 to 643, which is nothing to write home about. The swell is around 3 ft to 5 ft from the SW with a 15-second period, which is a long-period groundswell, but the wind is not on our side. This spot is a beach and reef setup, so for the first few days, there’s nothing really worth chasing.

Sunday the 16th through Monday the 17th are flat, small, and choppy. You’ll be better off doing something else.

Things start to look up on Tuesday the 18th. The wind switches to a clean cross-off from the SSE, and the swell bumps up to 5 ft to 6 ft from the SW, period around 12-13 seconds. The energy is climbing into the moderate range (666 to 981). Not a standout yet, but it’s getting cleaner.

The real window opens on Thursday, the 20th of August. Morning conditions are clean with a light cross-off breeze, and the swell is pushing 6 ft from the SSW, period 12 seconds. The energy is 965, which is solid. By Thursday afternoon, it’s 7 ft and the energy jumps to 1363, but the wind picks up to 12 mph cross-off. Still, this is where the week starts to get interesting.

But the true standout? That’s Friday the 21st of August. Glassy. Completely glassy in the morning. The wind is a whisper from the NW at 3 mph, and the swell is 5 ft from the SSW with a 12-second period. The energy is 669, but with those conditions, the wave quality will be pristine. This is the best session of the first week. Clean, well-shaped, and that long period from the SSW is perfect for the orientation of this break. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no wild surprises.

Now, after that Friday morning glory, the afternoon turns onshore and messy. Saturday and Sunday are a mixed bag with cross-shore slop, so we skip ahead.

The next major standout hits on Sunday the 23rd of August. Another clean, cross-off morning with a 5 ft SSW swell, but the period is 13 seconds and the energy is 1343. That’s strong, moderate energy. It’s getting good.

Then Monday the 24th of August is a serious highlight. The swell is 6 ft from the SSW, period 15 seconds, and the energy is 2059. That’s a beefy groundswell. The wind is clean and cross-off. This is for experienced surfers, as it’s over 5 ft. The shape will be top-notch, long lines, and that point break style will really shine with that long period. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.

Tuesday the 25th of August is another glassy morning, but the swell drops to 5 ft. Still clean and fun.

The end of the month is a mixed bag, but there’s a big one brewing. On Friday the 28th of August, we’ve got a 8 ft SW swell, 15-second period, and a combined energy of 2407. That’s strong, powerful surf. The wind is cross-off from the SE, so it’ll be clean. This is for experts only, as it’s over 8 ft. The energy is serious, and the crowd will be out. This is the best of the late period.

After that, Saturday the 29th of August has a glassy afternoon with a 4 ft SSW swell, but the morning is clean with a 6 ft SW swell. It’s a strong finish to the weekend.

Take note: the 31st of August is a write-off with a fresh cross-shore and lumpy 8 ft swell. Not worth it.

So, for the best of the best: Friday the 21st of August morning for glassy perfection, and Monday the 24th of August for the size and power. Friday the 28th is the big-dog session, but it’s a beast.

Rusty out.

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