Vilano Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's get one thing straight right off the bat: this 16-day window is a tough watch for any surfer looking for a proper session. There are no standout swells, no great conditions on the horizon. We'll have to sift through a whole lot of small, weak energy and cross-wind chop to find even a glimmer of hope.

We kick off starting Thursday the 13th of August with tiny little 1ft waves from ESE at a measly 8 seconds. Combined wave energy is very weak (15) and only gets weaker as the day goes on. The wind is a cross-shore, which only messes up the already poor surf. This flat spell looks set to continue right through the next week. We've got gaps of days and days with nothing to get excited about—mornings might be glassy on Friday the 14th or Saturday the 15th, but you're still looking at ankle-snappers of 0.7ft to 1ft. It's just not enough to push you around.

The first time we see something that could be called "surfable" is late Monday the 17th of August. It's a small 2ft wave from the E, period still just 8 seconds, and the energy climbs to a moderate 84. The wind goes clean and cross-offshore in the morning, which is the only reason it gets a thumbs up. It's ordinary, but it's the best we've got for a while.

Things don't really change until the morning of Wednesday the 19th of August. We get a clean, glassy start with 2ft waves, but importantly the period jumps to 11 seconds. That longer period gives the wave a bit more shape and punch than the junk we've been seeing. The energy reads 57, so still on the weaker side, but for this stretch, it's the highlight.

It isn't until the second week that we see a real bump in energy. Sunday the 23rd of August afternoon brings 3ft swell from ESE, but the period drops back to 9 seconds and the energy hits 203 (moderate strength). That sounds promising, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore, creating chop. It's still scored as poor conditions. The next morning, Monday the 24th, the swell holds at 3ft, energy is 153, but it's the same story with a cross-shore wind. Not quite the clean lined-up waves we want.

For the absolute best on offer over this whole period, circle Tuesday the 25th of August, notably first thing. Vilano Jetty should see a clean, glassy ocean with 3ft of swell. The swell direction is from the ESE, which is not its optimum direction of NNE, but the calm wind and small, clean conditions will be a welcome relief after days of chop. The energy is 58, so it's small, but it's the only morning that looks truly clean with waves you can ride. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

If you’re looking for the one standout, that Tuesday morning is it. But keep your expectations in check. The rest of the window is a write-off for paddle surfing. Honestly, given the persistent cross-shore and cross-onshore winds that pop up with the bigger energy on Sunday and Monday, and with the jetty being a beach/jetty setup, it might be more interesting for the kite crew than us with our paddles.

Keep an eye on the forecasts, though—it never stays flat forever.

Rusty.

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