38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this stretch at 38 Line is one of those quiet spells where you’re better off checking the tide pools than paddling out. The whole 16-day window is a tough watch, with nothing but flat or tiny, weak wash for the first week and a half.

Tuesday 18th to Sunday 23rd August is a write-off. We’re talking ankle-snappers from 0.7 ft to 2 ft, mostly short period junk. The combined energy is barely a whisper – the best of that run is a paltry 23 on Sunday afternoon. The winds are glassy at times, but there’s simply no swell to work with. It’s a blank run, and honestly, for this area, when it goes quiet, it can stay that way for a bit. Nothing to get excited about.

Then we get a tiny flicker Monday 24th August. The morning shows a slight bump to 3 ft from the SSE, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 142 – that’s weak but at least it’s something. The wind is a clean cross-off from the WSW, so the surface will be okay. But it’s still just a knee-high slosh. Not really worth the wetsuit, but if you’re desperate, you could get a few close-out crumbles.

Tuesday 25th through to Saturday 29th is flat again. The odd 0.3 ft to 1 ft. Forget it. Then on Saturday 29th afternoon, things change. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the NE with a period of 6 seconds and a combined energy of 172. The wind is onshore from the east at 9 mph, which is going to chop it up. It’s not clean, but it’s the first sign of real size.

Sunday 30th August keeps the 4 ft NE swell going, but the wind is cross-onshore from the NE and NNE, making it a bit of a mess. The energy is around 94-100, so it’s got some push, but it’s not what you’d call quality.

Monday 31st August is a similar story with 3 ft from the NNE, but a moderate cross-shore wind from the north at 12 mph will build a chop. The energy sits at 115 in the afternoon.

Tuesday 1st September is the big one, but it’s a wild one. The swell hits 8 ft in the morning and 10 ft in the afternoon from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is 915 in the morning and a massive 1671 in the afternoon. That is serious, heavy water. The problem is the wind shifts from cross-on to a full-on cross-onshore gale from the ENE at 22 mph. This is a beast for experts only – it’s going to be a washing machine, better suited for kites than paddles, honestly.

Now, here’s the one standout. The best on offer is Wednesday 2nd September. After the storm passes, the wind swings offshore from the west at 6 mph, and that makes all the difference. The swell is still a solid 7 ft from the NE with an 8-second period, and combined energy of 650. That’s a proper, powerful swell with offshore wind. It’s going to be big and clean, but that 7 ft size is expert territory. It’ll wall up, and with the offshore wind, the face will be smooth. If you’re skilled and hungry, that’s your window. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-onshore breeze, so hit the morning.

So, bottom line: you’ve got a long, flat wait. The only real chance for a decent session is that Wednesday morning, 2nd September, at 38 Line. It’s a long way out, but the signs are promising. Stay patient.

Rusty.

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