Taft (Siltetz River) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, lookin’ at the surf for the next couple weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a rough stretch for Taft (Siltetz River). We’ve got a big gap of no-good surf right out the gate, and while there’s some pulse later, it’s gonna be tricky. Water’s currently sittin’ at a chilly 54°, which is a good 5° colder than average for this time of year – your wettie better be thick.

The first real shot at anything rideable isn’t until Wednesday morning, July 8th. It’s small, weak, and marginal – just 2ft of south-west swell with a super long 18-second period. That kind of groundswell can be a bit wonky on a river mouth, often breaking too straight. Winds are light offshore (WNW at 6 mph), which would clean it up, but it’s a real gamble for a few knee-high waves.

The morning of Monday, July 6th, sees the swell jump to 6ft from the NW, but it’s sloppy with a cross-onshore breeze, so I’d give that a miss. The same goes for most of the following week: choppy, cross-shore winds and a persistent NNW breeze making a mess of things. The combined wave energy is moderate for some of those days, but the quality just isn’t there.

Now, keep your eye on the end of the run. Saturday, July 18th, and Sunday, July 19th, the swell cranks up. We’re talkin’ 7ft to 8ft from the west-northwest with strong energy. That’s the standout period by far. But here’s the kicker: the forecast says it’s too big for this break, and at over 8ft, only experts should even think about it. The winds are solid cross-shore, so it’ll be a power paddle, and those big sets will test your nerve. If you’re an experienced hand, that’s where the action will be. For everyone else? This stretch is a write-off until then, and even that is a big call. The forecast can shift, so don’t give up hope, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

– Rusty

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