38 Line Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s talk about what’s on the menu. This outlook is for the 38 Line area, and it’s a bit of a slow cooker, not a microwave dinner. Right now, we’re looking at a glassy but flat start. The next few days are pretty much a write-off, with tiny waves and poor conditions. You’d be better off checking the tide pools than your board. This dry spell will last from now until around Saturday the 22nd of August.

We finally get a kick on Saturday the 22nd. The morning brings a clean 4ft swell from the ESE, with a period of 7 seconds and a combined energy of 227 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW, which is going to give us some clean lines. It’s not huge, but it’s the first real sign of life. The afternoon holds a bit more size at 5ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-off, making it a bit more of a handful. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Sunday the 23rd backs off a bit, and the light cross-shore wind won't help the shape much. Not a standout.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Keep your eyes on Friday the 28th of August. The morning session is a proper standout. We’re looking at a clean, glassy 5ft swell from the NE. The period is only 6 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, but the wave energy is a solid 207 (moderate) and with that glassy water, it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. The 38 Line handles this direction well. This is the best bet for the intermediate surfer who wants to get some clean, punchy waves without the crowd.

However, for the big dogs, the real draw is the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August. This is for experts only. The swell absolutely pumps, but it’s going to be massive. On Saturday the 29th, the morning is already showing a 10ft NE swell with a period of 8 seconds and a massive combined energy of 1435 (strong). The conditions are clean with a light cross-off wind, but it’s a beast. By that afternoon, it’s hitting 15ft with a 10-second period and a whopping 3441 energy (very strong). Sunday the 30th is the peak of the swell, with a 12ft NNE groundswell (12-second period) and a combined energy of 5570 (very strong). It’s dead glassy in the morning. This is a major, powerful swell. For 38 Line, a beach break, that long period groundswell might make it a bit challenging, but the sheer power will be a sight to see. It’s too big for anyone but the most experienced, but if you have the skills, the morning of the 30th is the absolute pinnacle.

The forecast cools down again by Monday the 31st, dropping back to a cleaner, more manageable 4ft from the ENE.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. Your best day for a manageable, fun surf is the morning of Friday the 28th of August. For the big-wave chargers, the morning of Sunday the 30th of August is the one to circle, but be prepared for a heavy session.

Rusty.

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