The Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s on the menu for The Left over the next two weeks. It’s a slow start, but there’s a couple of days that could fire up. Water temp is 57°F right now, which is pretty typical for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

The forecast starts on Sunday, August 30th, but the first few days are a bust. Tiny, weak swell and junky conditions through Sunday, Monday, and into Tuesday. The energy is low, around 76 (moderate wave energy), and the swell is short-period and messy. This dry spell runs through the end of Tuesday, September 1st.

Things perk up a little on Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning brings a 2.3m swell from the NNW at 11 seconds—that’s groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 1208 (strong wave energy), and the wind is light and cross-shore from the east, so there’s some potential. But it’s flagged as marginal, so don’t bank on it. The afternoon fades as the wind picks up.

Thursday and Friday, September 3rd and 4th, have more swell, but the wind is a hassle. Thursday morning looks clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is short-period (7 seconds) and energy is moderate (463). Friday has a bigger, longer-period swell from the west at 1.9m and 12 seconds, with energy hitting 1122, but the wind is cross-on and lumpy. So close, but not clean.

Now, here’s the first real highlight. Sunday, September 6th, is looking good. The afternoon brings a solid 3.0m swell from the west, with a 10-second period. The combined energy is a meaty 1536 (strong wave energy), and the wind is offshore from the south at 25 km/h, so the faces will be clean and groomed. The rating says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’m with that. The Left is a point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, but it might be too big for beginners. Crowds are possible, so get there early.

September 7th, Monday, is a beast. The afternoon shows a massive 7.0m swell from the west, with a 12-second period. The energy is insane at 13245. But the forecast warns it’s too big for this break. The wind is cross-shore, but with that size, it’s a monster. Only for the hardcore experts, and even then, it’s a cautious call. The morning before is smaller but still solid, with a 2.0m swell from the WSW, though the wind is cross-shore.

After that, the week of September 8th drops off. Tuesday and Wednesday have some small, clean windows with light winds, but the swell drops to 1.4m and then 1.3m, with energy falling to 263 and 240 (moderate). The best of that stretch is Wednesday afternoon, September 9th, when the wind is light and cross-off, and the conditions are clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s rideable.

From Thursday, September 10th, through the end on Monday, September 14th, it’s a long, slow fade. Swell drops below 1.0m, energy falls into the double digits (as low as 21), and the wind is mostly clean but the waves are just too small. Classic end-of-season slump.

So, the two real windows to watch are Sunday afternoon, September 6th, with that 3.0m offshore swell, and the massive but hazardous Monday, September 7th. If you’re experienced, aim for the 6th. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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