15th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for 15th Street. Gotta be straight with you – this stretch of the forecast is a real test of patience. The first decent chance doesn’t even pop up until the middle of next week, so we’re looking at a solid gap of quiet days right now.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. We’re looking at a small 3ft swell coming from the SSW with a 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, but the wave comment says it all: “poor surf conditions.” The wind is light and offshore, which is a good look, but the swell just isn’t doing the job. The combined energy reading is 448 (moderate), but it’s not translating into anything rideable. The water is 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Honestly, from there we slide into a string of days where the swell stays tiny – between 2ft and 3ft – and the wind stays mostly cross-on or on. The period drops to 13-14 seconds, and the energy levels are all in the moderate range (174 to 467). It’s all rated as “poor surf” or “marginal” at best. Nothing to get excited about.

The real standout, the one that makes this whole outlook worth reading, is the very last entry. On Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, we get a proper shift. The wind goes glassy – calm, with no wind at all – and the swell is a clean 3ft from the SSE, with a 14-second period. The combined energy reading hits 593 (moderate), and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one. Clean, glassy, and a little punchy for a beach and reef setup. That’s the best on offer.

The day before that, Thursday morning, September 3rd, is also worth a mention. It’s got a 3ft SSE swell with a 14-second period (energy at 550), and the wind is offshore. It’s only rated as “marginal,” but it’s a step up from the rest of the week.

For the rest of the run, it’s a long grind. From August 20th through to September 2nd, we’re talking mostly tiny, weak swells with cross-on or onshore winds. The energy is moderate, but the quality is poor. The swell stays under 3ft most of the time, and the periods are short to moderate. It’s a classic case of waiting for the next system to push through.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The second week builds slowly, and the real payoff is that glassy, clean afternoon on Thursday, September 3rd. That’s your window. The rest is just waiting and watching.

Stay patient, and keep your eye on that glass-off.

Rusty.

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