Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Cape Paterson region over the next couple of weeks.

We're in for a bit of a slow start, with the first week looking pretty average for the most part. The swell is around, but the wind just isn't playing ball. It's going to be a wait for the standout days, which are a little further out.

The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Okay, let's get into it. The first real chance of a decent surf doesn't come up until Saturday, August 1st. The morning is looking clean with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north and a 3ft SW swell (12 second period). The combined energy is moderate (546). It's not huge, but the conditions are good. The real winner for that day is the Saturday afternoon. We're looking at a glassy session with a 5ft SW swell pushing in at a very long 18 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (1488), and the water is like glass. This is a nice one for the weekend warriors.

Then, after a bit of a blowy patch, we get another cracker on Thursday, August 6th. The afternoon is looking glassy again with a smaller 3ft SW swell, but the period is a massive 20 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (1031). This is pure, clean groundswell. It'll be perfect for the reef and point setups, but at a beach break like Cape Paterson, that long period might make the waves a bit straight. Still, for the patient surfer, the conditions are pristine.

The best of the whole outlook, in my opinion, is Friday, August 7th. The morning session has a clean offshore wind from the NE, a solid 6ft SW swell, and a very long 18 second period. The combined energy is strong (1892). The waves will have power and shape, with the wind keeping them glassy. The afternoon follows up with a clean cross-offshore breeze and a 5ft SW swell, also with an 18 second period and strong energy (1508). This is the standout period. It's a bit of a wait, but it's worth it.

There are a few other days with clean conditions, like Saturday, August 8th, with a glassy morning and a 4ft SW swell (15 second period), but the energy is a bit weaker (690). It's a good option but not the main event.

For the rest of the outlook, the wind is mostly onshore, cross-onshore, or just too strong, making for messy conditions. The swell is often big, over 7ft, and the wind is howling, so the paddle out will be a mission. Some of those days with strong winds and big swell look more interesting for the kite surfers than for a paddle session.

If you're a beginner, keep an eye on those days with swell over 5ft—they'll be a challenge. And anything over 8ft is strictly for the experts.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are a write-off. Aim for the glassy conditions on Saturday afternoon, August 1st, and the clean, powerful groundswell on Friday, August 7th. That Friday is the one to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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