The Wedge Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks.

The main – and really only – spot on the radar is The Wedge. It’s an advanced, fairly consistent breakwater setup, and it’s pretty exposed to a south-southwesterly swell. So, we’re not talking about a bunch of options; it’s all riding on this one wave.

Starting off today, Tuesday the 28th of July, we’ve got some swell rolling in. The morning is the pick of the day. We’re seeing a 4 ft SSW swell running with a very long 17-second period, and it’s glassy with light southerly winds blowing straight onshore. The water is much warmer than normal at 72° and is about 5° above average, which is very unusual for this time of year. The combined swell energy is moderate at 796, but don’t get too excited. The wave comment flags it as marginal due to questionable tides. The afternoon gets a bit cross-onshore, dropping to 3 ft, so the morning window is your best bet, even if it’s a bit of a gamble.

Wednesday the 29th is much the same story – smaller in the morning at 3 ft with a 16-second period, and the same light onshore breeze. The afternoon picks up a touch to 4 ft, but the wind swings to a light cross-onshore. Both sessions get a low score, so it’s a struggle to call either a winner. The energy is moderate (785–937).

Thursday the 30th sees the swell shift more southerly. The morning is 3 ft at a shorter 13-second period, with a light cross-onshore breeze. The afternoon builds to 4 ft but gets choppy with a gentle cross-onshore wind. The energy drops to 664, and conditions are rated as poor.

Friday the 31st is more of the same: 4 ft southerly swell in the morning, light cross-onshore wind, and a marginal forecast. The afternoon goes cross-shore at 4 ft, still light, but the energy is down to 596.

Into the first week of August, things really start to fade. Saturday the 1st has 4 ft in the morning and drops to 3 ft in the afternoon. Swell period drops to 12-13 seconds, and the energy has tanked to 402 and then 332. Conditions are poor by the afternoon.

From Sunday the 2nd onward, it’s a long, dry spell. We’re talking about a gap of about 6 or 7 days with no real surf on offer. Swell heights drop to 1 ft to 2 ft, periods bounce around, but the energy is weak, mostly under 150. Winds are light, but there’s just no power in the water. The wave comments are all “poor surf conditions.”

The only slight glimmer of hope comes around Saturday the 8th of August – that’s over a week away. The morning shows a 2 ft SSW swell with a 17-second period and a light onshore wind. The energy is 306, which is still in the weak range, but the long period gives it a bit of shape. It’s marked as marginal, so don’t plan your trip around it.

Then Sunday the 9th of August morning has 3 ft at 16 seconds, light cross-onshore, energy at 284 – again, just marginal. The rest of that week stays in the same rut: small, weak, and mostly cross-onshore or cross-shore winds.

The one standout? Honestly, it’s a tough call. There isn’t a true standout in this window. If I had to point to the best session, it’s Tuesday morning, July 28th, at The Wedge. That 4 ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period and glassy onshore wind is the cleanest we’ll see. But it’s for experts only – The Wedge is no place for beginners even in small surf, and that long period will make the waves wall up fast. Expect the usual crowd, because it’s The Wedge and it’s often busy.

For the long range, August 8th and 9th mornings are worth a glance if you’re desperate, but it’s weak and uncertain. Don’t hold your breath.

Overall, it’s a lean period. The first couple of days have a little pulse, then we hit a long, dry gap until mid-August. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this blank run is a bit unusual, but it happens. The forecasts can change, so keep an eye out.

Stay stoked.

- Rusty

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