15th Street Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window for 15th Street is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of small, messy, and mostly un-surfable conditions. The water is sitting at a very unusual 77°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the swim is good, but the waves? Not so much.

Right from the start on Tuesday, August 4th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell coming in at a very long 15-second period. The problem is that cross-onshore wind is blowing straight into it, making it choppy and weak. The combined energy is low (165), and it’s just not worth paddling out for. That theme sticks around for days. The swell barely nudges up to 2ft, 2ft, and the wind keeps shifting from cross-on to onshore, keeping the surface messy. There’s a solid gap of nothing but “poor surf conditions” from the 4th right through the 13th of August – a full ten days of frustration.

Now, we finally get a glimmer of hope. On Friday, August 14th, the swell starts to build. The afternoon sees a 3ft SSW swell with a good 18-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 780. The wind is still onshore, but the power is there. The guidance says this spot is consistent and exposed to the swell, with an optimum direction from the WSW. The swell direction is SSW, which is close but not right on the money. Still, this is the best energy we see.

Heading into Saturday, August 15th, we get the biggest swell of the period. The morning shows 4ft from the SSW with a 16-second period and a combined energy of 764. The wind is light and cross-onshore, which is better than the previous days, but it’s still not glassy. That 4ft is a fun size for a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s worth a look if you’re desperate. But be aware – the overnight period is long, so the sets will be more spaced out, and the onshore breeze will keep the surface a little bumpy.

After that, it fades back into the doldrums. The 16th through the 19th drops back to 2ft to 3ft, with cross-on and onshore winds, and the energy weakens. The last day, Wednesday, August 19th, has a 2ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and a combined energy of 280, but it’s a cross-on breeze again, making it choppy.

So, the one standout is the Saturday, August 15th morning session. It’s the biggest swell at 4ft, the energy is solid (764), and the light wind is the best we get. It’s not perfect, but compared to the rest of this forecast, it’s the only time you’ll find a proper wave. After that, it’s just a waiting game.

Rusty out.

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