15th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about 15th Street. Honestly mate, this run is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch ahead with hardly anything to get excited about. The water’s sitting at 73°F which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, but that’s about the only thing out of the ordinary.

The first little pulse arrives on Tuesday morning, August 25. Swell around 2ft from the SW, with a long 16-second period, and combined energy reading 408 (moderate). The wind’s light offshore from the W at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean enough, but the comment is “poor surf conditions” – so don’t expect much. That short window is the best we get for a while. Tuesday afternoon sees a bit more size, 3ft from the S, 13-second period, energy 594, winds still offshore, but still only marginal at best.

Wednesday the 26th picks up a little more – 5ft Wednesday morning from the S, 12 seconds, energy 887 – but the wind swings cross-onshore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’ll be choppy. Not really worth paddling out for.

The standout moment comes on Friday morning, August 28. Glassy conditions, offshore from the WSW at 3 mph, and a clean little 2ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period. Energy is 461 (moderate). That glassy wind is a proper treat, and the line-up will feel quiet. It’s consistent here, so you’ll get a wave, but the crowd can be often, especially when it’s clean. For a beginner, this is perfect – small, clean, and easy.

After Friday, it’s grim. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th see waist-high SSW swells, but with cross-onshore winds and that marginal label. By Monday August 31, it’s dropping off, and from Tuesday September 1 right through to the end of the outlook, nearly every session is marked “poor” or “marginal.” The energy drops from 431 down to 213 by September 7, and by September 8 we’re looking at 2ft swell from the SW with 18-second period, but only 326 energy – dead.

There’s a gap from around August 29 right through to the end of the 16 days with hardly any real recommendable surf. A few brief moments in that first few days, but mostly it’s a waiting game. The setup here is beach and reef, and when it’s this small and onshore, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Best on offer: that Friday morning, August 28, at 15th Street. Glassy, clean, 2ft SW groundswell, and light offshores. The crowd will be there, but it’s worth it for the conditions.

Rusty.

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