Warm Water + Thin Crowds = September Surfing
Everyone calls Labor Day the “end of summer.” Schools are back in session, family vacations wind down, and daily routines pick back up.
But here’s the truth: in Southern California, September is when the water is at its warmest. According to a seven-year study, the highest water temperatures of the year consistently come in September.
If you know my ‘good-fast-cheap’ triangle of surf conditions, then you know two out of three are lining up right now: warm water and uncrowded lineups.
The blackball flag has been rolled up and stashed away in the lifeguard tower. Crowds thin out as school routines settle in. The water is warm, and fall swells are just starting to show.
Put those together, and you have one of the best windows of the year to surf.
The start of the school year acts like a pseudo “New Year.” New rhythms get established, and routines start to set in. Before they do, make sure surfing has its place in your week.
Whether that means Saturdays with the family, or a Wednesday morning paddle before work, the key is consistency.
The surfers who progress the most aren’t chasing perfect conditions—they’re the ones who simply keep showing up.
What's Next?
If you’re looking for ways to stay consistent this fall:
- Take Our Surfboard Matching Quiz
- Join the Early & Often Surf Club
- Browse Our Current Available Stock Boards
The calendar may say summer is ending, but the best months for surfing are just beginning.
