Ammonias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming up for Ammonias over the next couple of weeks.

The first week is a bit of a slog. The swell is mostly short-period windswell in the 5 to 6 foot range, but the wind is a persistent cross-shore or cross-onshore breeze, which is keeping the surface messy. The combined energy is moderate (values between 539 and 681), but with no clean glassy window and a lumpy cross-chop, the surf just isn’t worth paddling out for. This pattern runs from the morning of Sunday, August 23rd, right through the end of the month. There are a few mornings where the swell backs off a bit, but it’s still poor.

As we move into September, things start to get interesting. On Tuesday morning, September 1st, a long-period groundswell from the S at 18 seconds pushes through at around 3 feet, and the combined energy jumps to strong (1136). The wind is still cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but that long period means a lot more energy and shape. It’s still a marginal call, but it’s the first real sign of life.

The standout action builds from Sunday, September 6th, into Monday, September 7th. On Sunday, a solid 7-foot swell from the ENE with a 13-second period delivers very strong energy (2380 to 2424). The wind is cross-shore, but the wave quality is still marginal. The best of the lot is Monday morning, September 7th. The swell is 8 feet from the ENE with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (2699). The wind finally drops to a light breeze (15 km/h), and while it’s still cross-shore, the slight chop is a big improvement. This is the biggest, most powerful swell of the window, but at 8 feet, it’s strictly for the experts. The reef at Ammonias will be handling that energy, but with the swell direction out of the ENE and the optimum direction for this spot being SSE, it’s not a perfect match. Still, the size and power make it the one to watch if you’ve got the skills.

Between the end of August and the first week of September, there’s a gap of about four days with no real surf worth chasing. It’s a dry spell, but forecasts can always tighten up as we get closer.

Water temperature is sitting at 80°F with a negligible anomaly, so it’s pretty average for this time of year.

Rusty.

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