Ventura Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for Ventura Point.

Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim stretch for the most part. We’ve got a real flat spell coming up, and for the first week and a bit, it’s basically a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. The swell is tiny, the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, and the energy in the water is just weak. We’re looking at weak to moderate wave energy for the first week, with readings like 52 to 303 for the combined energy, which is just not enough to get excited about. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until the afternoon of Thursday, July 23rd. That’s the standout. The morning is still a bit choppy, but by the afternoon, the wind drops to glassy conditions – that’s a huge positive. The swell will be a clean 4 ft from the South, with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps up to 572 (moderate), which actually feels like you’re in the ocean. For a point break like Ventura Point, that long period South swell will wrap in nicely, giving you some long, clean lines. It’s not huge, but it’ll be the best we’ve seen in two weeks. Because it’s a point, the long period won’t make it too straight, and the glassy wind will make it look like a mirror. Just be aware that it’s a beginner-friendly spot, and with the crowds being “often,” you’ll have company.

After that, Friday July 24th morning is marginal – the wind is onshore, but the swell is still there at 4 ft. It’s a maybe, but not a standout. Saturday July 25th morning is also marginal, but the wind is cross-on again by the afternoon, so it’ll get messy.

Then we hit another dry spell. From July 26th onwards, the wave energy drops again, and the swell gets all mixed up. It’s a real bummer, because the second week looks like a total dud. The wind is consistently cross-on or onshore, and the swell heights are back down to 1 ft to 3 ft. The combined energy is back to weak levels (below 300). There’s really nothing to recommend in that second week.

So, the short version: The only true standout is the afternoon of Thursday, July 23rd. If you can get out there, do it. The rest of the time, you’re better off waxing your board or checking the kite forecast – with that onshore wind and small, weak swell, it might be more interesting for the kite crew than us paddle surfers. It’s a tough run, but it tends not to stay this poor for long, and forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more