The Patch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming up at The Patch for the next couple weeks.

We’ve got a solid stretch of clean, rideable surf to start. The first week is looking strong with some long-period groundswell from the SW and cross-off winds holding the surface together. Water temp is about 61°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – feels alright.

Tuesday morning (August 25th) kicks things off with a clean 2ft swell from the SW with a very long 16-second period. Wave energy is moderate at 317, but that period means good shape and push. Winds are light cross-off, so expect clean lines. Small, but perfect for a beginner. Wednesday morning (26th) is very similar – same height, lighter wind.

Thursday morning (27th) shifts: shorter period of 6 seconds, but the swell bumps to 4ft from the WNW. Still clean under a light cross-off, but the short period means it’ll be a bit crumbly and weaker. Not a standout.

Now, Friday morning (28th) – this is where it gets good. Swell drops back to 2ft, but the period jumps to 17 seconds from the SW. Energy is strong at 678. Light cross-off wind, clean as a whistle. This is proper groundswell – long lines, good push. Saturday morning (29th) and Sunday morning (30th) follow suit: 3ft, 16-18 second period, energy in the 670-750 range, and glassy conditions. These three mornings – Friday through Sunday – are the standouts. Clean, consistent, and with that long-period energy, the waves will have real shape and hold. Even with crowds possible, it’s worth paddling out.

From Monday (31st) through Wednesday (September 2nd), the swell goes small and shorter – 2ft to 2ft from the SSW. Winds stay light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean but tiny. Fine for a float, not a highlight.

Then the wind turns. From Thursday (September 3rd) onward, it’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell gets short and junky. Thursday morning has a steep 19-second swell from the SW, but cross-on wind will chop it. From Friday (4th) through Monday (8th), it’s poor – small swell, onshore winds, choppy conditions. No good surf to recommend during that stretch.

There’s a flicker on Tuesday afternoon (September 8th) – the swell jumps to 7ft from the WNW with a short 9-second period, and energy is very strong at 1028. Wind goes cross-off. But at that size and short period, it’ll be a dumpy, churning mess at The Patch – only for experts. More of a kite show than a surf session.

Wednesday morning (9th) returns to a glassy 2ft from the SW with a long 17-second period and near-calm wind. Clean and sweet, a final nice little session.

Bottom line: the best surf is Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th mornings. Clean, long-period SW groundswell in the 2ft to 3ft range, light cross-off winds, and strong energy. The Patch will be running smooth. The rest is mostly small or blown out.

Rusty.

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