Destroyers • Statistics for January

January: Mid-Winter Groundswell Pulse

January is one of the heaviest months of the year at Destroyers. The average swell sits at 5ft (1.6m) with a 9.4s period, and the mix is more northern than any other month except December. The wave rose is led by ENE at 39.1%, but the key stat for this spot is the combined N (4.5%), NNE (13.4%), NE (24.3%) and NNW (1.9%) energy, which pushes roughly 44% of the swell into the preferred northern window. That translates into consistent head-high lines with plenty of overhead sets when the period extends into the 10-second range.

The wind pattern is less friendly. E and ESE trades combine for more than half of the observations, blowing 10-30kph and putting a cross-shore texture on the surface. The ideal wind clock is at 31%, which means most of the best surf is found early in the morning before the trades strengthen or when the wind briefly clocks into the SSW/SW offshore quadrant. Water temperature is 26.5°C, air temperature averages 24.7°C, and daily precipitation of 1.61 mm/day keeps the air fresh without shutting down the swell.