The Boardwalk Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the 16-day forecast for The Boardwalk is a tough one to swallow. We’re looking at a long stretch of meagre, weak, and mostly messy surf. The combined swell energy barely cracks 100 for most of the run, and when it does, the wind is on it. It’s going to be a quiet period, so don’t plan your week around it.

The Boardwalk is a beginner-friendly, exposed spot, but it’s usually a fairly consistent break. This time around, the consistency is there in the sense that small swell keeps showing up, but the quality is just not there. The water temperature is sitting at 83°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re waiting for a wave.

Looking at the first week, starting Monday 3rd August, it’s a no-go. We’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the ESE with a short 8-second period and a combined energy of just 34. The cross-off wind from the SW at 15 km/h might keep the surface clean, but there’s no power behind it. Tuesday morning the 4th offers a brief moment of hope with glassy conditions and a tiny 2ft E swell, but the energy is still pitiful at 29. It’s a flat spell, plain and simple. Wednesday through to the weekend (5th to 9th August) sees the swell creep up a little, but it’s all onshore wind. By Friday the 7th, the swell hits 4ft to 4ft from the E, with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy finally climbs into triple digits (106 to 139). But the wind is howling straight onshore from the E at 15 to 25 km/h (9 to 16 mph), turning it into a messy, blown-out mess. The waves will be there, but it’ll be a battle for a crumbly, weak face. This setup is honestly more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddler – the wind and the small, lumpy swell will be perfect for a kite.

The best of a bad bunch might be the morning of Saturday 8th August. The swell is 4ft from the E, period 8 seconds, and the energy is 161 – the highest in the whole run. The wind is cross-on from the SE at 15 km/h (9 mph), which is still not ideal, but it’s the most powerful swell we’ll see. It’s a long shot, and it’s only for the brave. The rest of the weekend and into the second week (10th August onward) is a slow decline back into tiny, weak lumps. The swell drops to 2ft and below, with energy fading into the teens and single digits. The week of the 11th to the 18th is mostly flat, with tiny 0.7ft to 1ft waves and periods so short the waves will just be ripples. There are a few glassy mornings (like Tuesday 13th and Thursday 14th) but there’s no swell to ride.

Overall, there’s no standout session here. The surf is too small, too weak, and too often onshore. Keep your board in the car, check the forecast in a few days, and hope for a change. The pattern is poor, but it can’t stay this way forever.

Rusty.

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