The Wedge Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for the Wedge. The water is running 72°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty notable, so the ocean is feeling more like a bath than the typical August chill.

Right now, and through the rest of this week, it’s looking pretty quiet. The first few days are offering up some small, weak south-southwest swell, but the energy is just not there. Monday morning has a tiny 3ft swell from the SSW with a long 14-second period, but it’s cross-shore and the combined energy is only 301 (moderate), and the conditions are described as marginal. Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. That trend continues through Tuesday and Wednesday with even smaller swells and cross-onshore winds, so don't expect much. The energy stays weak, and the comments are all about poor surf or marginal tide issues.

We hit a real dry spell from Thursday, the 20th of August, right through to Sunday, the 23rd. All onshore wind, small waves, and the combined energy drops to weak levels (150–312). It’s a proper flat spell. Even Sunday has a 1ft swell from the SW with a very long 19-second period, but it’s blowing straight onshore, making it a complete mess. That kind of long-period groundswell is best for points or reefs, but with those winds, the Wedge is just a crumbly, blown-out wall.

The following week from Monday the 24th to Friday the 28th is more of the same – small, weak swells, mostly cross-shore or onshore winds, and the wave energy stays in the weak to low-moderate range. A few morning sessions on the 24th and 25th show a slight glimmer with a 2ft SW swell and light cross-shore breezes, but it’s still marginal. The Wedge is a breakwater wave that needs a proper push, and it’s just not getting it.

Now, hold on to your board shorts, because the end of the run is where it gets interesting. Saturday the 29th of August sees a jump in the combined swell energy to 561 – that’s strong energy (561) – with a 3ft swell from the SSW at a 17-second period. But the wind is a solid onshore southerly at 9 mph. That’s a shame, because the raw power is there, but it’s going to be choppy and blown out. By Sunday the 30th, the energy is still strong at 554, with the swell holding at 3ft and a 16-second period. The wind switches to a light SSW cross-onshore, which is an improvement. This is the one standout in the whole forecast. It’s still not perfect, but for this stretch, that Sunday morning is the best you’re going to get. The crowd factor is "often" here, so expect company. After that, Monday and Tuesday of September just fade back into poor conditions.

So here’s the bottom line: if you’re jonesing for a wave, the window is Sunday the 30th of August morning. It’s not a classic Wedge day, but it’s the only real pulse in a long, flat run. For the rest of it, you’re better off leaving the board in the car.

Rusty.

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