The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the line for The Pines.

First thing you need to know: this is a reef break that’s usually pretty quiet – it rarely breaks. If it does fire, you want a solid SE swell, and offshore winds from the NW. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing weird.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first real sign of life is on Sunday morning, July 19th. It’s not much to write home about – just 3ft of SSW swell, but it’s got a long period of 12 seconds, and the energy is moderate (501). The wind is a light cross-off from the N, so it’ll be clean. Don’t get your hopes up though, it’s very ordinary. That vibe carries through Monday, July 20th, with a bit more size (4ft) and clean offshore winds, but still nothing special.

The real build starts Tuesday, July 21st. The swell picks up to 5ft from the SSW, period goes to 13 seconds, and the energy jumps to moderate (796). Offshore winds all day from the NNW and NW. It’s surfable, but still just okay.

Now, Wednesday, July 22nd, things get messy. The wind swings WSW and picks up, and by the afternoon we’ve got 7ft of SW swell with a huge energy spike (2289). But it’s crossed-up and choppy. Not your day.

Thursday, July 23rd, is the biggest push of the whole forecast. We’re looking at 13ft of SSW swell on Thursday morning, with a period of 14 seconds and massive energy (9487). That’s a lot of power. The wind is cross, so it’s gonna be a bit of a mess, but the afternoon cleans up with cross-off breezes. This is for experienced surfers only – 13ft is no joke. The swell direction is SSW, which is a bit off from the optimum SE, but with that much juice, it’ll still wrap in.

Friday, July 24th, through Saturday, July 25th, stays solid at 10ft from the SSW, with clean cross-off winds on Friday. The energy is still very strong (over 3000). Saturday gets a bit of rain and a cross-shore bump, but it’s still big. All of this is for experts.

Sunday, July 26th, the swell drops to 7ft, with a clean offshore breeze from the WNW in the morning. Period shortens to 11 seconds, energy drops to 1196 (moderate). Conditions are good, but the size is still big for a beginner.

The second week gets a bit quieter. Monday, July 27th, is a write-off with cross-shore wind and poor conditions. Tuesday, July 28th, sees a return of clean offshore winds and a 5ft SSW swell in the afternoon, but it’s ordinary. Wednesday, July 29th, has a good window in the afternoon with a moderate offshore breeze and 5ft from the SSW – the note says “expect good surf conditions” for that one.

The standout in the whole forecast? It’s gotta be Thursday, July 23rd, for the sheer size and power. But with the cross-shore chop in the morning, the best quality window is probably the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29th, where you get a clean 5ft with a solid offshore breeze. That’s the one that’ll have the shape.

The very end of the run, August 3rd, shows a Monday afternoon with 7ft SSW swell, 18-second period, moderate offshore wind, and the note says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s a promising call.

Overall, The Pines is a fickle spot, and most of this is for the experienced crew. But if you pick your window, especially the end of July and start of August, it could be worth the paddle.

Rusty.

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