30th Street/Ship Bottom Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the next couple of weeks in feet and miles.

It's a rough start, boys. We're looking at a long, flat patch of nothing but dribble before anything worth paddling for finally shows up. From now through the end of August, it's tiny, weak, and just plain poor. The water is a warm 77°, which is way hotter than normal for this time of year, so you'll be sweating in your rubber, but there's just no push. You'll get a few glassy mornings around the 26th and 29th, but the swell is only 1 feet with no energy. It's a lake. You'll be waiting an eternity for a knee-high ripple.

We finally see a pulse of energy around the 1st of September. The combined energy hits a moderate 125, but it's messy and cross-on, so still not a goer. The real window opens on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning is still ordinary, but by Thursday afternoon, the wind goes light and the swell is building to 3 feet from the SE with a 13-second period. The energy is up to 217 and the report says to expect good surf. That's the first sign of life.

Now, the standout. Circle Friday the 4th of September. We've got a solid 5-foot swell from the ESE, but here's the key – the wind is a clean offshore from the W. The combined energy is a strong 672, and the forecast is for very good surf. 30th Street will be pumping chest-to-shoulder-high sets, clean faces, and proper shape. This is the best day on offer by a long shot. The crowd factor is listed as "sometimes," so expect company, but it won't be a zoo.

Saturday the 5th of September morning is also a cracker. It's glassy, with a 6-foot ENE swell. That's a bit of size, over 5 feet, so it's stepping into intermediate territory, but the energy is a huge 598. The period is only 8 seconds, so it's a shorter-period wind swell, but with glassy conditions, it'll be fun. By the afternoon, the wind shifts and it gets messy.

After that, the swell fades out again through the second week. There's a few clean, surfable days with 3 to 4 feet, but nothing that compares to that Friday peak. The 7th of September has a strong offshore wind and 4-foot swell, but the period is a short 5 seconds, so it'll be a bit soft and lumpy. Still, you could get a few fun ones if you're keen.

So, to sum it up: suffer through the flat spell until Thursday the 3rd, and then be ready for Friday the 4th of September. That's your day. It'll be worth the wait.

Rusty.

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