Tamarack Ave. Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.

We’re looking at a slow start at Tamarack Ave. The first real surfable day is Sunday, August 30th, but it’s a tough one. The water is a toasty 77°, which is a wild 9° warmer than usual for this time of year.

That Sunday morning, we’ve got a 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell. The combined energy is moderate at 629. The wind is onshore from the SSW at 9 mph, and the conditions are just poor. The afternoon is no better, with the wind shifting to WSW at 9 mph. Monday and Tuesday are small, with cross-onshore winds and poor to marginal conditions. It’s a flat, choppy mess for a few days.

The first sign of life comes Thursday, September 3rd, morning. We’ve got a 3ft SSW swell, period up to 12 seconds, with light onshore winds at 6 mph. It’s still poor, but the energy is building. Friday the 4th is similar: 3ft to 4ft SSW swell, light onshore wind, and the energy hits 793. Still marginal.

Saturday, September 5th, is the first decent chance. The morning shows a 3ft SSW swell (16 sec, 685 energy) with light onshore SW winds at 6 mph. The afternoon is a bit better with a 3ft SSW swell and light cross-onshore winds. It’s marginal, but it’s the best we’ve had.

Then Sunday, September 6th, the size jumps. The swell hits 6ft from the south, with a 14-second period. The energy is strong at 1212. But the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the NW at 16 mph in the morning, creating a cross-chop. The afternoon is worse with a cross-onshore wind. It’s not clean, but the size is real.

Monday, September 7th, morning is the standout. We’ve got a 6ft SSW swell (14 sec, 1290 energy) with light onshore SSW winds at 6 mph. The wind and tide are favorable, but the surf is still marginal. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is your window. The afternoon is blown out by a near gale cross-onshore at 34 mph.

Tuesday, September 8th, is the big one. The morning brings an 8ft SSW swell (14 sec, 2378 energy) – that’s a lot of water. The wind is cross-onshore from the WNW at 9 mph, so it’s choppy. The afternoon is a monster: an 12ft SSW swell (14 sec, 4036 energy). That’s very strong energy. The forecast says it’s too big for this break. This is expert-only, and even then, it’s going to be a messy, dangerous beast with a moderate cross-onshore wind.

After that, it fades fast. Wednesday the 9th is back to 5ft SW with a short 9-second period and cross-onshore winds – poor. The rest of the second week (10th to 14th) is a slow fade to small, weak swells (1ft to 3ft), mostly long-period, with cross-onshore winds. The energy drops to the 200-500 range. It’s a long, flat stretch.

So, for the best bet: the morning of Monday, September 7th, with 6ft SSW groundswell and light winds. The big, intimidating day is Tuesday, September 8th, afternoon, but that’s for experts only and it’s messy. After that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more