Steamer Lane Alert Guide

California, USA · part of the Steamer Lane spot guide

The Lane’s nearest buoy (46092) reports wind but no waves, so this is a model-swell alert rather than a buoy-wave trigger. The bay knocks the open-ocean height below down through refraction, but the point holds size at the outer sections rather than closing out.

The forecaster's checklist

1. 1.Want swell in the south-southwest-through-west-northwest arc — west and northwest for Middle Peak and Indicators, south and southwest to switch on the Point.
2. 2.Look for period of 12 seconds or more so the swell refracts into the point and organises it; short windswell disappoints.
3. 3.Read size knowing the bay knocks the open-ocean height down but the point holds size — a few feet of long period for fun surf, more to fire up Middle Peak.
4. 4.Score an offshore north, northeast or northwest wind — a post-frontal northwest gradient is the classic clean Lane; avoid a south or southwest onshore.
5. 5.Aim for mid tide on the push, avoid dead low on the Slot, and respect the rock, the cliff exit and a strong local pecking order.

Local winds & tide

Best wind: N–NE–NW offshore — from 315° to 45° (NW–NE).

Tide matters — mid tide, ideally on the push, is the consensus, with many favouring the window a couple of hours before high; very low tide exposes rock on the Slot and makes entry and exit sketchy.

Dial it in