Thousand Steps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the local line-up.

Right off the bat, we're looking at a pretty patchy 16-day window. The first swell we see is a bit delicate, but there are a couple of interesting windows. The standout for the whole period, without a doubt, is the action shaping up around the end of the month and into the first of August. That's where the real power is.

We start with a bit of a tease. This Sunday, the 19th of July, we've got a small, clean 3ft groundswell from the south, with a long 13-second period. The wind is onshore at 6 mph, which is a light breeze, but with that swell direction and the wind both coming from the southwest, it's not ideal. The combined energy is weak (523). It's a bit of a marginal call, but the water temp is about average for the time of year.

Monday morning, the 20th, sees a touch more size at 4ft from the south-southwest, but it's still a struggle. The wind stays onshore, and the energy is weaker (336). The whole week remains in this same frustrating pattern: small swells, cross-onshore winds, and questionable conditions. The combined energy bounces around between 300 and 650, which is weak to moderate. By the 24th, we get a weird 24-second period swell from the southwest, but it's only 2ft and the wind is chopping it up. It's a real waiting game.

Now, the real deal starts to build on the 30th of July. Thursday morning, we see a 4ft swell from the south-southeast, climbing to 5ft in the afternoon. The wind goes glassy light, swinging onshore from the southwest, but at only 3 mph, it's essentially a slight air. The energy jumps to a strong 1288, and the swell direction is a solid match for the break. This is the first true window of the outlook.

But the highlight, the one you've been waiting for, is the 31st of July. Friday morning, we’ve got a solid 7ft groundswell from the south, with a 16-second period. The combined energy is a powerful 2344, meaning there's a lot of water moving. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the west, so it won't be perfect, but the size and period are there. This is a big, powerful swell, and with that height, it's strictly for the experienced crew. The sets will be long and clean, and this is the kind of day that will put a smile on your face. The following day, the 1st of August, is still very good, with 7ft swell from the south and a lighter wind, keeping the energy in the strong range (1397).

After that, it all fades pretty quickly. The 2nd and 3rd of August see the swell drop, the wind picks up, and the whole thing just turns to junk again.

So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. The best bet is the 30th of July, but the true standout is the 31st of July. Get out there if you've got the skills, because that's the one.

Rusty.

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