The Wedge Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right on, let’s get into it. The Pacific really isn’t doing any favors right now, but there’s a tiny chance the Wedge shows a bit of life toward the end of the run. We’re looking at a long, bleak stretch from now with very little to get excited about, but don’t write the whole thing off just yet.

Right now and on through the first few days of September, it’s flat or close to it—small 2 to 2ft SSW swells with a 12-15 second period, but the setup is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the conditions are just poor. Combined energy is barely breaking 318, which is weak. The water temp here is 76°, and that’s way warmer than normal for this time of year – almost nine degrees above average, which is very unusual.

By Thursday the 3rd, we get a little bump—2ft from the SSW, with a long 18-second period, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Combined energy at 407, still not doing it. Friday the 4th morning is clean-ish, with a light 6 mph south wind and a 3ft SSW swell at 17 seconds, but the afternoon gets a bit messy. That slight improvement doesn’t last.

The weekend of the 7th and 8th will be the best action we see. Swell builds to 5ft from the S and SSW, period around 14 seconds, and with light west-southwest winds mostly cross-shore. On Saturday afternoon, combined energy hits 872, with some decent potential, but it stays in the “marginal” zone. The Wedge is advanced, so this swell size is okay, but not outstanding, and the SSW direction isn’t ideal for the optimum. Still, if you’re advanced and hungry, Saturday morning September 5th with light cross-shore wind might offer a clean window—crowds are often a problem here, so expect more company.

After Monday the 7th, it fades. We drop back to 3ft or less for most of the second week, and from the 9th onward it’s a grim mixed bag of light winds and onshores, all below 3ft until the 13th. Then from the 14th to the 16th, the swell comes back up slightly to 3ft to 3ft, with periods between 12 and 18 seconds, but the winds remain cross-shore and energy is low—236-342. There is a tiny window on Wednesday afternoon September 16th with a clean 3ft SSW groundswell at 12 seconds, but again, not enough power.

Then out of nowhere, in the second week around September 17th, we get a spike: 2ft but a very long 21-second period from the SW, and combined energy at 325. This is a true groundswell, and though small, it’ll peel beautifully at a wedge or reef like the Wedge. Light cross-shore winds make it worth a paddle. With such low swell height, only the most focused and experienced will find a ride, but the shape and cleanliness could be fantastic for the few waves that come through. This is the standout late in the window.

So, no big, consistent run. The best chances are Saturday September 5th into Sunday September 6th for some 5ft S swell with light winds, and then that clean but extremely small long-period pulse on September 17th. If you only get one session, go for the weekend of the 5th.

Rusty

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