Rincon, Puerto Rico Surf Forecast – Oct 14, 2021

Small surf is better than no surf.

We’ve had an amazing past couple of days with solid swell. Super fun to have a little bit of size again. Unfortunately, things are going to calm down a bit over the weekend but we shouldn’t go completely flat. Notice in the weather map above that we still have plenty of weather out in the Atlantic to keep some waves showing up at pretty much every surf break in Rincon. Long term, the massive storm in the far north Atlantic seems to keep being re-born and absorbing different systems and bouncing around in circles. If that trend keeps up we might see another long period swell generated for late next week. Surf season is starting!

Using Automated Forecast Tools:

Remember that no matter what a computer model tells you, what you see on the beach might be completely different. That's why i go take pictures of the beach every day. These tools help give an idea of what to expect, but weather prediction is not always exact especially the further out you try to forecast. Surf forecasting takes into account the general correlation between past weather data and resulting surf conditions. Another thing to keep in mind is the difference between actual swell height and the face height of the rideable wave it creates. For example. When the waves are forecast to have a 6ft swell at 13 seconds or higher with a NW angle we normally get waves that most people would call double over-head on sets. Swell angle is also important, especially for shorter period swell (9-11 seconds). For example 3ft at 11 seconds from the NW will make a bigger wave than 4ft at 9 seconds from the NE. Normally longer period swell (13+ seconds) will be more powerful and keep the surf size a little better even if the angle isn't a direct hit to Rincon. Generally any swell less than 9 seconds is super weak here in Rincon unless it has a lot of west in it. Also, most NE swell under 12 seconds is weak and mushy. 2ft at 8 seconds is generally small to flat. ENE swell will almost never make it into Rincon unless it was something like 10ft at 18 seconds from the ENE.