Trestles (Uppers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start on the cards, to be honest. The first week has some swell in the water, but it’s fighting a persistent cross-onshore wind that’s just chopping it up. The real standout is a late surge of energy that arrives around the start of the second week, and it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Right now, at Trestles (Uppers), it’s a bit of a tough watch. The water is sitting at 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. We’re looking at a light SSW swell on Monday morning, around 3ft, with a period of 13 seconds. But the wind is a cross-on from the WSW at 6 mph, and it’s leaving the surface with small wind ripples. The combined energy is weak (332). The rest of the first week stays pretty poor. Tuesday and Wednesday see the swell drop right off to 2ft or less, and the wind stays onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and messy. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are more of the same – small, disorganised, and blown out. It’s not looking like a good time to paddle out.

Now, things start to change on Sunday, July 19th. The swell picks up to 3ft from the SW, with a 17-second period, and the wind goes light and onshore. The energy is starting to build (730). It’s still marginal, but it’s a sign of better things. Monday and Tuesday of the following week (July 20th and 21st) see that swell holding around 3ft, with a 16-second period and light offshore winds. The energy is climbing into the moderate range (563-576). This is getting more interesting.

Here’s the standout. Wednesday, July 22nd afternoon, the swell kicks up to 4ft from the S, period of 15 seconds, and the wind is light and offshore. The energy is strong (986). Then Thursday, July 23rd, is the day to circle on the calendar. The morning sees a solid 7ft swell from the S, with a 14-second period and virtually no wind (slight air). That’s a lot of water moving, with very strong energy (1857). This is expert territory at that size. The wind stays light and offshore through the afternoon, with the swell at 6ft. Trestles (Uppers) is a reef and point setup, so it will handle this long-period south swell well. The waves will be well-shaped and powerful, with good gaps between sets. Keep in mind, this spot is very consistent, and crowds are a guarantee here, so get out early if you’re keen.

The surf then eases back a bit on Friday, July 24th, with 5ft to 6ft swell from the S, but the wind swings cross-onshore, making it a bit choppier. Saturday, July 25th, the swell drops to 4ft-5ft, and the wind is light cross-onshore. The week after that looks like it settles back into smaller, cleaner but marginal surf.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The best window is from the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22nd, through Thursday, July 23rd, with the peak of the swell. That’s the one to aim for.

Rusty.

Read more