Udo Shrine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight. I’m looking at Udo Shrine (Japan) and the truth is, we’ve got a long stretch of pretty ordinary conditions ahead. The water is sitting at 84°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit.

For the next few days, through Thursday the 20th and into the weekend, we’re looking at small, weak swells in the 3ft to 4ft range from the SSE or S, with periods around 8 to 9 seconds. The combined energy is low, under 256 (weak), and the wind is mostly light cross-onshore, which is just enough to mess up the surface. It’s poor surf, plain and simple.

There’s a bit of a tease on Sunday the 23rd afternoon – the swell drops to 2ft but the period jumps to 16 seconds from the SE, giving a moderate energy of 427 (moderate). Still, with onshore wind and poor conditions, it’s not worth paddling out.

Now, Monday the 24th is where things get interesting, but you need to be experienced. We’ve got a solid 7ft to 8ft ESE groundswell rolling in with a 17-second period. That’s a very long period, meaning proper energy and shape, but it’s going to be too big for beginners and will break straight at beach breaks. The combined energy is strong, hitting 2,453 and 3,305 (strong). Winds are light onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the best on offer across the whole 16 days. This is your standout: Monday morning and afternoon, Udo Shrine, with overhead sets and that long-period punch. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

But don’t get too excited. Tuesday the 25th we see a massive 15ft to 16ft ESE swell with 16-17 second periods, energy over 10,000 (very strong). This is only for experts, and the wind cranks up to 19-25 mph cross-onshore, making it lumpy and messy. By Wednesday the 26th, it’s even worse – gale force winds at 40 mph, 18ft E swell, completely blown out. This is more kite-surfing territory.

The rest of the 16 days tanks. From Thursday the 27th onward, we’re back to tiny, weak swells (1.0ft to 4ft), mostly cross-onshore or cross-shore winds, and poor to marginal conditions. There’s a gap of poor surf from the 27th right through to the 4th of September. The only glimmer is on Friday the 4th of September morning, where we get a clean, light cross-offshore wind from the W, but the swell is only 1ft from the S with 8-second period – barely a ripple.

Bottom line: Monday the 24th is your one true chance for a proper session at Udo Shrine, but it’s for experienced surfers only. The rest is a write-off.

Rusty

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