The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down what The Cutting has cooking for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a fair bit of juice coming in from the south, but this spot can get real mean when the swell gets big, so we gotta be smart.

Overall Look & The Start

Things get going slow. On Thursday (August 6th) we have a 4ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period, but the wind is cross-off. Water temp is 58°, which is about normal. The energy is moderate (915). It’s just okay, nothing to write home about. The swell bumps up in the afternoon to 5ft.

Friday, August 7th – The First Highlight

Friday morning is where the party starts. A solid 10ft SW groundswell rolls in with a strong energy reading (3813). The wind is light offshore from the north at 6 mph. That’s a proper wave, but it’s over 8ft, which puts it in the “experts only” zone. Beginners, this one’s not for you. The afternoon goes glassy with 8ft waves—a beautiful window for the experienced crew.

Saturday & Sunday, August 8th & 9th

Saturday has the swell dropping to 8ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph from the NNE, making it messy and cross-off. Sunday is a better bet. The morning has a clean 6ft wave with a moderate offshore breeze. The afternoon is a real gem: a 5ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds with a light offshore. That’s a solid, fun session for intermediates.

Monday, August 10th – The Big Stuff Arrives

Now, The Cutting gets absolutely hammered. Monday morning brings a 15ft monster (23961 energy) from the WSW at 17 seconds. This is massive and dangerous, only for a handful of nutcases. This pattern holds for days. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 11th to 13th) see waves well over 8ft, hitting 20ft and even 26ft. The energy readings are staggering – 76153 on Thursday morning. That’s a full-blown ocean, and it’s way too big for this break. The wind turns crappy and cross-onshore for much of this, so it’s more of a look-don’t-touch situation.

The Dry Spell & Return to Fun

After that massive pulse, conditions go poor to dangerous for nearly a week. Keep your board waxed, but don’t bother driving out.

Monday, August 17th – The Next Window

Finally, on Monday the 17th of August, things get good again. The swell drops to 7ft from the SW with a light offshore wind in the morning. The energy is moderate (1527). By afternoon, it goes glassy and drops to 6ft. This is your chance to get a proper clean session in with a nice long-period groundswell.

The Two Best Bets

If I have to call it, Friday morning (August 7th) is the pick for the big-wave hunters – clean, powerful, and glassy. For the rest of us, Monday afternoon (August 17th) is the standout. Glassy conditions, 6ft swell from the SW, and manageable energy. Sunday afternoon (August 9th) with that gentle offshore and clean 5ft swell is a very close second.

Crowds & Final Word
The Cutting is consistent, so when it’s good, expect some company (crowds are “sometimes”). On the big days, it’ll be just the hardcore crew. For the smaller, cleaner windows, it’ll get busy. Just keep your head on a swivel and know your limits.

Stay salty, Rusty.

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