The Washout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the outlook for The Washout over the next two weeks is a bit of a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of very small, weak surf with only a couple of brief moments where it might be worth getting wet. The energy levels are painfully low, mostly in the 20 to 40 range, and the swell direction is all over the shop. Hang in there, though; there’s a tiny glimmer or two.

The Overall Pattern

We’re starting on Sunday the 12th of July, and honestly, the first week is a write-off. The swell is tiny, barely 1ft to 2ft, and the period is short, mostly under 9 seconds. The wind is all over the place, often onshore or cross-shore, making it choppy. The water temperature is 86°, which is 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – a solid 4° anomaly, so it’s notably warmer than average. The combined energy is weak, sitting around 20 (20) to 33 (33). This is a stretch for the kite crew, not the paddle crew.

The only real standout in the entire 16-day window is Saturday afternoon, the 18th of July. The wind goes glassy, the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSW with a period of 5 seconds, and the combined energy hits 63 (63). It’s a small, weak groundswell, but with glassy conditions it will be clean. The Washout is a beach/pier setup, and with that tiny swell, it’s going to be a fun little wave for a beginner or a longboarder. The crowd is "sometimes" here, so you might be sharing it, but with the small size, it won’t be a zoo.

After that, we go back into the doldrums. The next potential glimpse is Saturday afternoon, the 25th of July. Again, glassy winds, 3ft from the SSW, combined energy of 49 (49). Small and clean, but not a groundswell – it’s weak. The period is 5 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, meaning it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak, but glassy is glassy.

The week between the 18th and the 25th is a long gap of poor surf. The wind is mostly cross-shore or onshore, and the swell never gets above 2ft with any decent energy. It’s a real desert.

Best Bet

If you’re desperate, your best bet is Saturday afternoon, the 18th of July. It’s the first real window of glassy conditions and the biggest swell we’ll see. The water is warm, the wind is calm, and the waves are small. It’s not going to be a classic, but it’s the most surfable day on offer. The Washout is a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s perfect for a learner or a longboarder to get a few clean, small ones.

For the second week, keep an eye on Saturday afternoon, the 25th of July. It’s the same pattern – glassy, 3ft from the SSW. It’s a long way off, so the forecast is less certain, but it’s the only other highlight.

Rusty.

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