The Wash Right Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, but with the numbers you’d use if you grew up with feet and inches.

We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at The Wash Right, with the best window looking like late this week into the first few days of September. The water is sitting at 89°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you won’t be needing the thick rubber, that’s for sure.

Sunday the 23rd kicks off with a clean 2 ft SW groundswell, period hanging around 18 seconds – that’s proper long-period groundswell. The morning is cross-off at 3 mph, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy is a solid 777 (moderate), so there’s some push behind it. Good for a longboard or a fish. By afternoon, the wind picks up from the west at 16 mph, turning it cross and messy, and the swell bumps to 3 ft but with a shorter 13-second period. The tide might mess with it too.

Monday morning the 24th is worth a paddle – 3 ft SW at 17 seconds, cross-off wind at 9 mph from the NW, and the energy is at 642. Clean, lined up, and not too big. Afternoon brings a risk of thunderstorms and a cross breeze that chops it up, so get in early.

Tuesday the 25th is a glass-off special. Both morning and afternoon have glassy conditions, with 2 ft and 3 ft SW swell respectively, both at 16 seconds. Energy is lower (310 and 402), but for a mellow, smooth session on a log, this is pure gold. No wind, just you and the ocean.

Wednesday the 26th stays clean in the morning – 3 ft SW at 16 seconds, cross-off from the ENE at 3 mph. Afternoon sees the wind switch onshore from the SSW and the swell drops to 2 ft. The charts say it’s marginal, so morning is the call.

Here’s the standout of the week: Friday the 28th morning. The swell jumps to 4 ft from the SSW at a very long 17-second period, combined energy roaring to 1059 (moderate to strong). The wind is light cross-off from the NNW at 3 mph, which means clean, lined-up walls. This is excellent for experienced surfers – not huge, but the energy and period will give you proper push and long rides. Crowds can sometimes show, so get out early.

Saturday the 29th morning is also a cracker – 6 ft SSW at 16 seconds, cross-off wind from the NW at 3 mph, and energy at 1899 (strong). That’s a step up in size. At 6 ft, it’s getting too big for beginners, but if you’ve got the skills, the long period will make for some really punchy, well-shaped waves. Afternoon gets a cross-on wind that chops it up.

From Sunday the 30th into Monday the 1st of September, the swell stays around 4 ft to 4 ft with 13 to 14-second periods, but the wind is tricky. Glassy on Sunday afternoon and clean on Monday morning though – those are the windows to aim for.

Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd are messy – short-period swell and onshore or cross winds. Not worth the paddle.

Then, a big one for the experts: Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September. The swell builds to 6 ft – 7 ft from the SSW with periods up to 19 seconds. Combined energies hit 2559 and 2660 – that’s strong, serious wave energy. This is big, powerful groundswell. The wind is light or glassy on Friday afternoon, but for most days the wind is cross or onshore, which will put some chop on the face. At 7 ft, this is expert territory only – too big for anyone not comfortable in heavy conditions. The long period will make these waves unload fast, especially at a reef setup like The Wash Right. Only go if you know what you’re doing.

After that, the swell backs off into the second week, with 5 ft to 4 ft swell through the 6th and 7th, but winds pick up fresh from the SE and SSE, making it choppy and poor. Not a great way to finish the window.

Bottom line: The absolute best session is Friday the 28th morning – clean, 4 ft SSW groundswell with long period, and light cross-off wind. For the bigger stuff, Saturday the 29th morning is a close second, and the 4th September afternoon (Friday) has glassy conditions on a big SSW swell – but that’s for experts only.

Rusty.

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