The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what The Cutting is serving up.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards, but the story changes fast. The early action starts off clean and inviting, but then the ocean goes into beast mode for a long stretch, and it’s only right at the tail end of the outlook that things settle back into something manageable for most of us.

Thursday morning kicks it off with a sweet 3ft groundswell from the SW, with a long 15-second period. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The wind is blowing offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, leaving the surface glassy and clean. Energy is moderate (662). This is the sort of session where you get long, grunty lines without the crowd chaos – absolutely perfect.

By Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft and the wind shifts cross-shore. It’ll still have some push, but it’s not as clean.

Friday morning things get serious. The swell hits 10ft from the SW with a 17-second period. Combined energy is strong (5786). It’s a clean cross-shore wind, but honestly, this is getting into expert territory. Beginners should sit this one out. The same goes for Friday afternoon – 10ft, clean-ish, but big.

From Saturday the 29th right through to Monday the 7th of September, the swell stays over 8ft, often pushing 12ft, 13ft, even 20ft. The combined energy is off the charts (peak at 24192). Winds are mostly offshore or cross-off, so it’s clean, but these are serious, powerful waves. Only the best-equipped, most experienced surfers should even consider paddling out. For everyone else, it’s a spectator sport. The Cutting is a reef setup, so that long-period groundswell is going to bend and jack, making it hollow and demanding.

After that monster stretch, Thursday the 10th of September morning brings a welcome reprieve. Swell drops to 8ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. Combined energy is moderate (2121). Wind is offshore from the NNE at 9 mph – clean as a whistle. This is the standout session for experienced surfers who are still hungry after the big stuff. The sets will have plenty of power without trying to kill you.

Then Friday the 11th of September offers the true highlight of the whole outlook. Morning brings 7ft of SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The wind is a solid offshore from the NNE at 16 mph. Clean, powerful, and manageable. This is the day to circle on your calendar – that sweet spot where size, period, and wind line up for a memorable session. The afternoon holds similar, just a touch smaller.

So, to nail it down: the real gems are the first Thursday morning for the small-wave crew and Friday the 11th for that perfect, clean, solid swell. The rest of the window is either too small, too big, or just okay.

Stay safe in the water, and remember – sometimes the best surf is the one you walk away from.

Rusty.

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