Trestles (Uppers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we've got on the horizon.

Right now, the surf at Trestles (Uppers) is a bit messy. The water's sitting at a comfortable 70° and a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, which is nice, but the conditions are choppy with a cross-onshore wind putting a bit of a crinkle on the surface. The first few days are a write-off, with poor surf and barely a ripple worth paddling for. We're talking Thursday the 10th through to Tuesday the 15th of September – that's almost a week of frustrating, small slop with wind from the south, mostly cross-onshore, and it's just not making the grade. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting around 225 to 563 (moderate energy at best), but the wind is just shredding what little shape there is.

By Wednesday the 16th of September, things start to feel a little better. We've got light onshore or cross-offshore winds, and while the surf is still only marginal, there's a glimmer of hope. Swell directions shift more to the SSW and SW, and the period stretches out. On Thursday the 17th of September, we see a similar story – light winds, a touch of southwest groundswell, and the combined energy is creeping up to around 452. Nothing to call the crew about, but it's no longer a total flat spell.

Now, the standouts start to shape up from Friday the 18th of September. That's where the window opens. Light morning breezes, a nice SW groundswell with a period of 19 seconds – that's proper long-period groundswell, which Uppers loves for its point-and-reef setup. The combined energy hits 505, a solid moderate energy, and the wind is light enough to keep it clean. Saturday the 19th of September is another good one: morning offshore light breeze from the SW, a consistent 3 ft to 3 ft of SW swell with a period of 18 seconds, and energy climbing to 550. That's the kind of glassy, lined-up surf that makes this place famous.

Looking further out, the run from Sunday the 20th of September through Monday the 22nd of September keeps the momentum. Swell holds at a consistent 3 ft to 4 ft from the SW, periods remain long (16-18 seconds), and the combined energy pushes up into the 600s and even 739 by Monday afternoon. The catch? Wind stays light and variable, often cross-on, but that’s Uppers – it handles it. Just be aware, this spot is *always* crowded, so you'll have plenty of company.

The very best of the bunch, the absolute pick of the litter, is Saturday the 19th of September. That's your day. Light SW onshore in the morning, clean, 3 ft of 18-second SW swell, moderate energy (550), and that glassy feel. Get there early. The second best is Monday the 21st of September afternoon – the swell is a touch bigger, the period is still solid, and the energy is higher, but the wind is a little more cross.

After that, the swell holds but the wind gets a bit firmer from the west through to the 24th, dropping the quality into marginal or poor territory. The wave energy stays moderate, but those westerlies put a chop on the faces.

For the final days (25th and 26th of September), it's a familiar story: moderate west winds, small swell, and not much to get excited about. A so-so end to a run that finally gave us a couple of golden mornings.

Remember, with those long-period SW swells (16-19 seconds), Uppers will handle it beautifully – it's a reef and point, so those long lines will wrap in nicely, not close out like a beach break. Just don't expect to have the place to yourself.

Rusty.

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