The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for The Cutting.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a serious pulse of energy heading our way, but it’s going to be a bit of a wild ride. The water temp is sitting right around 58°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so nothing surprising there.

We’re starting out on Saturday the 25th of July, and honestly, it’s a rough start. There’s a solid 13ft SW swell running with a period of 13 seconds, and the combined energy is massive at 4823 (moderate to strong). But the wind is a fresh cross-onshore from the WSW at 30 km/h, making it lumpy and messy. The afternoon cleans up a touch with the wind going cross, but the swell is still too big for this break at 12ft. Sunday the 26th sees the swell drop to 8ft, but the wind stays cross, leaving it marginal and a bit choppy.

Now, Monday the 27th is where things start looking interesting. The wind swings offshore from the north, blowing at 25 km/h, and the swell is a solid 7ft from the SW with an 11-second period. The energy is moderate at 1257, and conditions are clean. This is the kind of day that’s excellent for experienced surfers, but the 7ft is getting up there, so it’s not for beginners. The afternoon stays offshore at 30 km/h, with a 7ft, 13-second groundswell that will have some real push.

Tuesday the 28th is a mixed bag. The morning has a cross-offshore wind from the NW, 8ft SW swell, but the wind picks up to 30 km/h, making it a bit tricky. The afternoon is a complete write-off with a howling 40 km/h cross-wind and a 13ft, 15-second swell, creating a massive, messy cross-chop. Wednesday the 29th is a hard pass, with strong onshore winds and a 16ft SW swell, completely blown out and lumpy. Thursday the 30th is still onshore and choppy, with 8ft swell.

The first true standout is Friday the 31st of July. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the WNW at just 10 km/h, and the swell is a clean 7ft from the SW, 12-second period. The energy is moderate at 1901, and the conditions are excellent. It’s a classic, clean, fun day for experienced surfers. The crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have some company, but it’ll be worth it.

The second standout is Saturday the 1st of August. This one is a big, powerful groundswell event. The swell is 10ft, but the period is a massive 18 seconds, with energy at 5254 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NNW at 25 km/h. The waves will be huge, clean, and lined up – definitely for experts only. The crowd factor is a real possibility, as this is the kind of day that draws a crowd. The same swell continues into the afternoon, but it’s getting bigger at 12ft.

Sunday the 2nd of August brings a full onshore wind from the south, ruining the swell. The energy is still very strong at 8061, but it’s a mess. The first week of August is a bit of a washout with onshore winds and big, messy swell, though the 3rd has some potential with a 10ft, 14-second swell and a gentler onshore, but it’s still not ideal.

The second week is quieter. Monday the 4th and Tuesday the 5th of August have small, clean waves but with very weak energy (538 and 412). The 5th has a strong 45 km/h offshore wind, which is clean but makes paddling out a nightmare. The 6th and 7th of August see a new pulse of energy, with the 7th showing a promising 8ft, 17-second groundswell with clean cross-offshore winds. The energy is strong at 4858. This is a promising, long-range date, but less certain.

The 8th and 9th of August have more strong, clean swell (10ft, 14-second period) but with fresh winds, and then the 9th finishes with onshore winds again.

So, for the best of the bunch: Friday the 31st of July for the cleanest, most manageable swell, and Saturday the 1st of August for the big, powerful groundswell if you’re an expert and don’t mind the crowd. The rest of the window is a bit of a gamble with the wind.

Rusty, signing off.

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