38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer for 38 Line over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temperature is sitting at 74°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll notice that little bit of extra warmth if you’re in the water. But honestly, that’s about the only highlight right now. The next two and a half weeks are looking pretty grim for paddle surfing.

For the first week, starting on Tuesday, 14 July, we’ve got tiny, weak swell and messy winds. The surf’s pretty much flat or close to it – we’re talking 1ft and 2ft from the southeast with short, weak 4 to 6-second periods. The combined wave energy is in the single digits (8 and 12). Not worth paddling out for. That run of poor conditions stretches all the way through the rest of the month. There’s a light cross-offshore wind on Wednesday, 15 July morning, with 4ft swell from the southeast and an 8-second period, bumping the energy up to 125 – that’s moderate energy. But the wave comment says “very ordinary conditions,” and it’s not enough to get excited about. The wind turns offshore that afternoon but the swell drops back to 2ft.

From Thursday, 16 July right through to Sunday, 26 July, it’s a long stretch of tiny, weak surf. Most days show combined energy below 100, often in the teens or single digits. You get a few glassy windows – like Sunday afternoon, 19 July, when it’s dead glassy with 3ft from the east, and Monday morning, 20 July, also glassy with 2ft from the north. But the waves are still small and weak, so you’re looking at knee-high slop at best. Not surf worth pointing the car at.

The only glimmer comes on Friday, 24 July morning – glassy conditions again, with 3ft from the northeast and a 7-second period, giving 75 energy. That’s about as good as it gets, and that’s not saying much. The swell direction is east-northeast, which is close to the optimum direction for this break (east), but the size and period just aren’t there.

There’s a big gap from around 19 July through to the end of the month where nothing really breaks the 3ft mark. The swell picks up a tiny bit here and there, but it’s all under 3ft and short period. The wind stays tricky – often onshore or cross-onshore, and we even get rain and thunderstorms in the mix.

So, to be straight with you: 38 Line is a flat spell. No standouts, no real windows of quality. It’s one of those times when the ocean just isn’t cooperating. If you’re desperate, maybe paddle out on Friday morning, 24 July, for some small, clean waves, but don’t expect much. For the rest of the period, it’s a write-off. Forecasts can change, but right now, this looks like a solid rest for the board.

Rusty.

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