Tices Sholls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Tices Sholls.

Right now, the water is sitting at a very unusual 76°F – that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might be able to leave the thick suit at home.

The next 16 days start off pretty flat and messy. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf conditions through the weekend and into the start of the week. A few small waves pop up Friday morning the 18th, but with a strong cross-shore wind and barely any energy (17), it’s not worth paddling out for. The same goes for Saturday – a little bump in the afternoon but the period is a shocking 4 seconds, so it’s all chop and no push.

Sunday the 19th morning is a tease. The wind swings to a light offshore, and the swell bumps up to 3ft from the south with a 7-second period, giving us a combined energy of 110 (moderate). It’s clean, but the waves are still very ordinary. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 3ft and the energy fades to 75 (weak). It’s surfable but nothing to write home about.

Monday and Tuesday are a write-off – onshore winds, choppy, weak energy. The only real glimmer in this whole outlook comes on Wednesday the 22nd. Wednesday morning the swell jumps to 6ft from the south with a 8-second period, moderate offshore wind from the SW, and the combined energy hits 501 (strong). That’s the first real pulse. By Wednesday afternoon, it gets even better: 8ft south swell, 9-second period, offshore wind from the WSW, and the energy is pumping at 1525 (very strong). This is the standout of the whole period. The waves will have some good shape and power, but at 8ft, it’s heading into expert territory – not for beginners. The clean offshore wind will make for some nice lines.

After that, Thursday the 23rd still has some clean conditions with a 3ft swell from the SSE, but the energy drops back to 140 (moderate). It’s surfable again, but nothing special.

Then we hit another dry spell. From Friday the 24th all the way through to the end of the month, it’s mostly small, weak, and onshore. A few mornings like Sunday the 26th have a clean 3ft south swell but with a short 5-second period, the energy is only 82 (weak). Not worth the paddle.

The first couple of days of August show a bit more size – 6ft on Saturday the 1st from the SSE – but it’s onshore and choppy, with the energy at 253 (moderate). It’s not clean, and the period is still short at 7 seconds.

So, the one true standout is Wednesday the 22nd, especially the afternoon session. If you’re experienced and can handle some solid south swell with offshore winds, that’s the day to be out there. The rest of the period is a mix of tiny, weak, or wind-affected waves. A few mornings might offer a clean but small wave, but nothing that’ll get your heart racing.

Crowds at Tices Sholls can pop up sometimes, so if you head out on the 22nd, expect some company.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.

Rusty.

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