The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board, let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid 16-day window shaping up here, and the only real show in town is The Pines. This is a very sheltered reef break that rarely breaks, so when it does, you pay attention. It’s best for beginners, but the swell direction is coming from the southwest, which is exactly what this spot needs. Water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off on Friday, 21 August. Friday morning and afternoon both serve up a clean 6ft to 6ft SW swell with a 14-second period, cross-off wind from the west at 9 mph. The combined energy is strong at 2599, so there’s decent power. Saturday morning bumps up to 8ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, still clean with cross-off wind. That’s getting a bit meaty for beginners, but the shape should be there. Saturday afternoon gets a little messy with cross-shore wind, but it’s still surfable.

Sunday, 23 August is a standout. Sunday morning is clean with a 7ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. But Sunday afternoon? That’s the real gem. Glassy offshore wind from the NNW at just 3 mph, a 7ft SSW groundswell running at a very long 16-second period. This is the kind of session where the reef really works its magic, though the long period might make it a bit walled at times—still, it’s prime.

Monday and Tuesday see a drop in energy and quality. Monday at 5ft is marginal, Tuesday gets blown out with 16 mph cross-shore winds and an 8ft swell that’s too messy for a paddle. By Wednesday the 26th, things clean up again with a glassy 7ft SSW swell and light offshore wind. Thursday the 27th is smaller but clean, and Friday the 28th morning brings a beautiful 7ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, light offshore wind, and strong energy (2236). That’s another top session.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday 29 August through Sunday 30 August, the wind swings south and brings cross-on conditions, messy 4ft to 4ft swell, and poor quality. Not worth paddling out.

But hold on—Monday, 31 August is a beauty. Morning starts with a 4ft SSW swell but a very long 20-second period, clean cross-off wind, and combined energy sitting at 3045. That’s a lot of punch for the size. Monday afternoon gets even better: 7ft SSW swell, 19-second period, same clean conditions. Tuesday 1 September holds steady with 7ft SSW swells and 16-second periods, clean and light offshore. This run is the real deal.

Friday, 4 September is a big one. Morning shows a 6ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, combined energy hitting 4410, and clean cross-off wind. That’s excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday 5 September morning sees a 10ft SSW swell with a 17-second period—that’s expert territory, and the wind is strong offshore at 22 mph, so it’ll be clean but powerful. The afternoon drops back to 8ft, still clean.

There’s a noticeable gap in quality from Saturday 29 August through Sunday 30 August, and again on Thursday 3 September when the swell drops and the wind gets too strong. But overall, the standout days are Sunday afternoon 23 August, Friday morning 28 August, and the whole run from Monday 31 August through Tuesday 1 September. If you’re a beginner, stick to the smaller, cleaner days like Friday 21 August or Monday 31 August morning. If you’ve got the chops, chase the 4 September morning swell.

The Pines is inconsistent and rarely breaks, so when it lights up like this, you don’t sleep on it.

Rusty

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