Balls Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me break down the next couple of weeks at Balls Bowls. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag, and mostly a frustrating one. We get some solid swell, but the wind just won’t cooperate for the most part.

Kicking off on Friday, August 28th, we’ve got a weak 5-foot SE windswell, period barely 6 seconds, with a cross-on wind from the SE at 15 mph. It’s choppy and poor, and the combined energy is weak (211). Saturday the 29th isn’t much better – the swell pushes to 6 feet, still SE, but the wind goes onshore from the ESE at 15 mph. Energy picks up to moderate (390), but the quality is still poor.

Sunday the 30th sees the swell build to nearly 7 feet from the ESE, period hitting 10 seconds. That’s got some proper energy behind it (884), but a fresh 18 mph NE cross-on makes it lumpy and messy. Not worth paddling out.

Monday, August 31st, is the big one. We’re looking at 10 feet of east swell, 10-second period, with combined energy cranking at 1624. That’s a lot of power. For a reef break, 10 feet is expert-only, and with thunderstorms and a cross-on wind in the morning, it’s a write-off. The afternoon goes glassy with a light easterly breeze and onshore wind, which cleans it up, but it’s still only marginal.

Tuesday, September 1st, keeps the 10-foot ESE swell in the morning, but a strong 22 mph SSW cross-off wind keeps it clean-ish. The period drops to 8 seconds and energy is high (1055), so it’s powerful and only for the experienced. Wednesday, September 2nd, is the highlight. We’ve got a 6-foot east swell, 10-second period, and a gentle 9 mph WNW cross-off breeze. That’s clean, with moderate energy (720), and it’s rated as very good conditions. That morning session is your best window in the first week. The afternoon drops to 5 feet, still clean, but less punch.

From Thursday, September 3rd, onward, the swell fades. It sits mostly around 3 to 4 feet, with messy cross or cross-on winds and low energy. There are a couple of clean moments – like Tuesday, September 8th morning, with a 4-foot east swell and a moderate 15 mph WNW offshore giving clean lines (177 energy), and Wednesday, September 9th afternoon, with a 4-foot east swell, 11-second period, and a light NW cross-off breeze, clean and with moderate energy (317). Surfable, but small.

The standout is Wednesday, September 2nd. That 6-foot east swell with clean cross-off wind and moderate energy (720) is your best bet. It’s a reef break for advanced surfers, and crowds are possible.

Overall, a lot of size early on but bad wind, then a drop into small, average conditions. Keep an eye on it – things can change.

- Rusty

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