The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, let’s break it down for The Cutting.

Straight up, we’ve got a solid run of swell coming in from the south, but this spot can get real mean when it’s big. Water temp is sitting around 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

The first look is Saturday afternoon, the 22nd. That 15-foot southwest swell is just getting hammered by a moderate cross-onshore wind. The energy is massive (9065), but it’s all chop and whitewater – no good.

Sunday the 23rd is where it gets interesting. Morning kicks off with an 12-foot SW swell, clean with a cross-offshore breeze from the NNW at 9 mph. The energy is still high (5564) but the swell is just too big for The Cutting. Same story in the afternoon – still too big, but light cross-shore winds.

Monday the 24th is the one to circle. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8 feet from the southwest, and the wind goes pure offshore from the north at 9 mph. It’s clean, punchy (energy at 2187), and the best on offer. This is for experienced surfers only – that 8 feet is solid. The afternoon holds with a 7-foot SW swell and light cross-offshore breeze. Clean lines, proper waves.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are messy – wind swings onshore, swell holds around 8 to 8 feet, but it’s choppy and lumpy. Not worth it.

Thursday the 27th morning has a smaller 5-foot SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind, but the energy is lower (1279). The afternoon is weird – a 4-foot swell with a very long 21-second period. That’s groundswell, but it’s small and the wind is light cross-shore. Could be fun on a longboard, but not the highlight.

Then another big pulse hits Friday the 28th – 12-foot SW swell, cross-onshore, too big and messy. This pattern repeats through Saturday the 29th, Sunday the 30th, and into September. Even when the wind goes offshore, like on Monday the 31st with an 12-foot SW swell, it’s just too big for The Cutting.

Wednesday the 2nd of September has a moment – 10-foot SW swell with glassy conditions in the afternoon. Still huge, but if you’re an expert, that glassy surface is a dream. Thursday the 3rd has strong offshore winds (NNW at 16–19 mph) and 12 to 13-foot SW swell – big-wave territory only.

The real standout in the whole 16 days is Monday the 24th of August: 8-foot SW swell, clean offshore wind, good energy. It’s the only time the size, wind, and quality all line up. Crowds are possible, and on a day like that, expect some company.

Rusty, out.

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