Alkantstrand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Alkantstrand over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down.

The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing too crazy. The main story here is a big pulse of energy, but it’s not all good news.

The first few days, Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th, are a wash. The wind is messy, and the swell is either too small or just not clean. But Monday morning the 7th, we see a big jump. A solid 10ft swell from the S, with a 18-second period – that’s some serious groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 5384, which is very strong. But the wind is cross-on and the forecast says it’s actually too big for this break. For a beginner, that’s a no-go. Even for the average surfer, 8ft to 10ft on a beach break with that much power is a handful. The period is long, so those sets will be proper, but it’s going to be a washout for most.

Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th? Forget it. Strong onshore winds from the NNE and NE, 15 to 22 mph, just chopping everything up. The swell is there but it’s a complete mess. The combined energy values are moderate (348 to 817), but the wind is a killer. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Thursday the 10th is more of the same – strong onshore wind, poor quality. Friday the 11th morning is our first real glimpse of hope. The wind swings to a light S at 6 mph, giving us a clean cross-offshore. The swell is a modest 4ft from the E with a 9-second period, and the energy is still moderate (398). It’s not going to be a day of big waves, but it will be clean and rideable. The afternoon the wind backs off further, but it’s cross-shore, so it’s just marginal.

Then we hit a dry spell. Saturday the 12th through to Tuesday the 15th is all onshore wind and poor conditions. The swell is there, but the wind is just too strong. It’s a real bummer.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting again. Thursday the 17th of September – mark it in the calendar. The wind turns offshore, a strong 19 to 25 mph SSW. The swell is small, only 3ft to 3ft, but it’s a clean, long-period SSW groundswell (16 seconds). The energy is moderate (625 to 678). The wind is strong offshore, so the waves will be clean and lined up, but paddling out will be a battle. This is for the dogs who can handle a strong breeze. It’s an expert’s game.

But the real standout, the one to get excited about, is Friday the 18th of September. The wind turns gentle offshore, 9 to 12 mph from the SSW, and the swell jumps to 10ft from the SSE. The period is short at 8 seconds, but the energy is massive – 1576 to 1508. The wind is clean, offshore, and the water will be glassy. This is the best on offer. However, that 10ft is a big number. It’s for experts only. The short period means it’ll be a bit softer and more forgiving than a long-period swell, but it’s still a solid slab of water. For a confident surfer, this is a day to call in sick.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th are still big, but the cross-shore wind will chop it up a bit. The energy is still very strong (1490 to 3576), but the wind is cross-shore, so it won’t be as clean. Still big, but not as good as Friday.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a bit of a washout, with Monday the 7th being too big and messy. The best bet is Friday the 18th of September – that’s the standout. It’s a big, clean, offshore day for the experts. Thursday the 17th is a consolation prize for the hardy souls.

Keep your eyes on the forecast, this one could change.

Rusty.

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