The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for The Cutting over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the horizon, but to be honest, most of it is going to be too big for a comfortable paddle. The water temp is sitting at a pretty standard 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off Sunday the 23rd of August with a big 12 ft SW swell rolling in, carrying a very long 14-second period. The wave energy is absolutely pumping at 5564, but the word on this one is that it’s simply too big for the break. Morning sees a cross-off NNW breeze at 9 mph, keeping things looking clean, but this is really one for the tow crew or the very experienced. Afternoon cleans up a touch with a light WNW breeze at 6 mph, still cross-off, but again, the size is the issue.

Monday the 24th is the first real standout. The swell has dropped to a still solid 8 ft from the SW, with a long 14-second period and strong energy at 2156. The morning brings a light offshore N wind at 6 mph, so conditions will be clean and lined up. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays consistent with 7 ft SW swell and an offshore N breeze at 6 mph, keeping things smooth. The wave energy is still high at 1717. If you’re comfortable in overhead waves, this is your window.

Tuesday the 25th starts to get a bit messy. Morning is 8 ft SW swell with a light 3 mph W cross breeze, but the energy is still high at 2803. The conditions are marginal and the tide might be a factor. The afternoon turns ugly: a strong 16 mph SW cross-on wind chops everything up, making it a write-off.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are not worth getting excited about. The swell holds around 8 ft but the wind is cross-on, creating choppy, lumpy conditions. Thursday afternoon does see the period jump to a very long 21 seconds, but it’s a cross breeze and the size drops to 4 ft with energy at 1934. It’s rideable but not special.

Friday the 28th is a mess. A new 12 ft SW swell arrives with strong energy at 6479, but a strong cross-on WSW wind at 16 mph makes it poor. Not one to bother with.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th is a mixed bag. Saturday is blown out with 22 mph winds. Sunday the 30th, however, sees a massive 16 ft SSW swell with insane energy at 15179. The wind is a gentle cross breeze, so it will look incredible, but this is strictly for experts only. Too big for almost everyone.

Monday the 31st has a 12 ft SW swell and a fresh cross-off NNW breeze at 19 mph, keeping the surface clean. Again, size is the limiting factor for most.

Into the first week of September, the pattern continues with very large SW and WSW swells, mostly in the 10 ft to 18 ft range. The wave energy is consistently in the thousands, sometimes hitting 22181 on the 3rd of September. The winds are often cross-off or offshore, meaning the faces will be clean, but the sheer size makes this a zone for the brave and the skilled only. Wednesday the 2nd has a 10 ft SW swell with a moderate offshore NNW wind at 16 mph, offering clean conditions for the experienced. The 4th of September looks promising with 13 ft SW swell and offshore NNW winds at 12 mph, but it’s still big.

Bottom line: for the average surfer, Monday the 24th of August is your best bet. It’s the only day where the size is manageable, the wind is offshore, and the swell has plenty of punch. After that, it’s either too big, too windy, or both. If you’re an experienced charger, there are plenty of windows from the 30th onwards, but don’t take it lightly.

Rusty.

Read more