Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Cape Paterson over the next couple of weeks.

The first good news is that things are pretty quiet to start, but we’ve got some real gems lined up if you’re patient. It’s not a flat-out no-go, but the early days are a bit average, so we’ll work through it.

The standout of the whole run is Sunday, August 9th. We’ve got a solid 6.2ft SW groundswell, with a long period of 16 seconds, and the wind is blowing offshore from the NE. That’s a recipe for clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is strong at 2339 (moderate to strong energy), and it’s calling for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The morning will be the pick – glassy, offshore, and that swell will have plenty of push. This is hands down the best on offer. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

Now, let’s start from the beginning. Friday, July 31st is a write-off – a 4.3ft SW swell with a 12-second period, but it’s marginal and the wind is cross-off. The wave energy is weak at 491. Not worth paddling out for.

Saturday, August 1st is a bit better. The morning is clean with a 3.3ft SW swell and light cross-off wind, but it’s small. Then Saturday afternoon is a real teaser: the wind goes glassy, the swell jumps to 5.2ft from the SW, and the period is a very long 18 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 1471. This is a window of clean, glassy waves, but it’s a short window. If you can get out then, you’ll be rewarded.

Sunday, August 2nd is a step back. The morning has a 5.2ft SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is a moderate 20 km/h cross-off. It’s clean but the wind is up. The afternoon gets chopped out with a stronger cross-wind. Not the best.

Monday, August 3rd and Tuesday, August 4th are a write-off. Strong onshore winds and rain, with messy 8.2ft swell on Tuesday. This is for the die-hards or the kite surfers – the beach-and-reef setup will be blown out. Leave it.

Wednesday, August 5th through Thursday, August 6th are also poor. The swell drops, but the wind is cross-onshore and the waves are choppy. Not worth a look.

Friday, August 7th morning is a nice surprise. A 4.3ft WSW swell, 15-second period, with light NNW cross-off wind. The energy is moderate at 1331, and conditions are clean. A solid, fun morning session.

Saturday, August 8th morning is clean again – 3.9ft WSW swell, 14-second period, light NNE cross-off wind. But it’s small and the energy is only 561. A cruiser session for the longboard.

Now, back to that Sunday, August 9th morning. That’s the one. Offshore wind, 6.2ft groundswell, long period – it’s going to be beautiful. The afternoon is still good, but the wind shifts cross-off. Still, the morning is the pick of the entire forecast.

Monday, August 10th is a no-go. The swell is 6.9ft, but the wind is howling at 40 km/h from the NNW. That’s a strong breeze, and the energy is moderate but the conditions will be messy.

Tuesday, August 11th is for experts only. The swell is 14.8ft from the WSW with a 16-second period, generating a massive 16572 energy. That’s very strong energy. The wind is cross, and the report says it’s too big for this break. This is a serious, heavy swell. Only for the very experienced crew, and even then, it’s going to be a wild one.

Wednesday, August 12th is a gale-force onshore mess. 50 km/h winds from the WSW, rain, and a 6.9ft swell. Skip it.

Thursday, August 13th morning is a massive standout. The wind is glassy, calm, with a 5.9ft SW swell and a 20-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is 3102, strong. This will be beautiful, clean, long-period waves. The only caveat is that with such a long period, it might break a bit straight on the beach, but for a reef setup like Cape Paterson, it’ll be dreamy. This is a top-tier session for experienced surfers.

Friday, August 14th morning is also excellent. A 7.9ft SW swell, 18-second period, with light offshore N wind. Energy is 3829, strong. Clean, big

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