Zampa (Inside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, my fellow wave riders, Rusty here, and I’m giving you the straight dope on the next few weeks. The first chunk of the forecast is a total bust, a real flat spell. But don’t lose hope; the back end is starting to rumble with some proper energy. We’ve got one clear window to get excited about.

The only break in the mix is Zampa (Inside), a reef that breaks fairly often. The water is a warm 83°F, with the temp being pretty much normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

From Wednesday, July 22nd all the way through Friday, July 31st, it’s pretty much flat. We’re looking at swell heights that barely reach 1.0 ft, and the combined wave energy is a joke, sitting at a measly 22 (22) or even zero most days. The wind is often glassy or blowing offshore, which would be a dream if there was a wave to ride, but there’s nothing. It’s a dry spell that runs for over a week straight. The only tiny blip is a 0.3 ft, 15-second groundswell on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29th, but with energy of just 4 (4), it’s not worth the paddle.

Finally, on Saturday, August 1st, we get a pulse. The morning offers a 2 ft swell from the West. The energy is still weak at 49 (49), and it’s a short period of 8 seconds, so it’s not gonna have much grunt. The morning is clean with a light offshore breeze, but it’s just too small. That afternoon, a 1.0 ft, 18-second long-period groundswell shows up, but the energy is still low at 84 (84).

Sunday, August 2nd is the real standout. This is the day to be in the water. Early morning brings a 3 ft swell from the East, but the period is a massive 18 seconds. That’s a very long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 520 (520) – that’s moderate-strong juice. The wind is a fresh offshore from the ESE at 19 mph, which will keep the surface glassy. By the afternoon, it bumps up to 3 ft from the East, same long period, and the energy hits 628 (628). This is the best run of the entire forecast. The offshore wind is a major plus.

Monday, August 3rd keeps the swell running, with 4 ft from the East and a 17-second period, putting the energy at 969 (969) in the morning and 998 (998) in the afternoon. That’s strong energy. The wind turns to a cross-offshore from the SE at 22 mph, which is still clean but getting a bit breezy. This is still a solid option for the intermediate crew, but it’s getting bigger.

After that, the quality fades. Tuesday, August 4th sees the swell drop to 4 ft, but the wind turns cross-shore and messy, making the surface lumpy. The rest of the week into Thursday, August 6th sees the swell fading and the wind shifting cross-onshore, making it choppy and not worth the effort.

So, here’s the plan: sit tight through the first week. The best window is Sunday, August 2nd at Zampa (Inside). That 3 ft, 18-second groundswell with a strong 628 (628) energy and a clean, fresh offshore wind is the only real highlight in the whole 16 days. It’s a reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Go get it before the wind picks up on Monday.

Rusty.

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