Tices Sholls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, and we've got a look at the local scene ahead. Let's be straight up – this is gonna be a quiet run for a while. We're looking at small, weak surf and conditions that are mostly ordinary, so you're going to need to manage your expectations. The water's sitting at a warm 77°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at Tices Sholls.

The first bit of surf worth even thinking about kicks off on Saturday the 9th of August, Sunday morning. We've got a small 3 ft swell from the S, with a short period of 7 seconds, so it's pretty weak and a bit gutless (combined energy of all swells directed here is just 74). Winds are light and cross-offshore, so it'll be clean, but it's very ordinary. That theme carries through Sunday afternoon and into Monday the 11th of August with similar tiny, weak, and short-period swell. Honestly, from now until around the 17th of August, it's a real gap of poor to very ordinary conditions. The swell heights barely crack 3 ft, periods are short, and the energy is just not there.

Now, late in the second week, we start to see a bit more energy build. On the 20th of August, Thursday afternoon, we get a small 2 ft swell but with a much longer period of 11 seconds and glassy conditions – that's about as good as it gets here for a while, with the combined energy climbing to 172. But even then, it's still just "surfable" and nothing to write home about.

The only real standout, and I mean the only one that gets the heart beating a little, is the 21st of August. Friday afternoon we see a bump in size to 4 ft from the SE with a solid 12-second period. That's a proper groundswell pushing through, and the energy jumps to a strong 431. The problem? It's cross-onshore with a moderate breeze, making it choppy. For the experienced crew, there could be some punchy sections, but the conditions will make it a battle. If the wind swings, it could be the pick of the whole forecast, but as it stands, it's a messy one.

To sum it up: if you're a beginner, this whole period is pretty much a write-off – nothing gets over 5 ft. For the rest of us, the 21st of August is the only time the ocean shows a bit of life, but it's not going to be pretty. Keep an eye on that wind forecast, because if it cleans up, that's the session. Otherwise, it's a long, quiet spell.

Stay patient.

Rusty

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