Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks down at Cape Paterson. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up, with some proper clean windows but also some rough and tumble in between. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing too crazy there.

The first few days are a write-off for anything decent. Sunday the 9th has a small 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period, but the energy is only moderate (622) and it’s just not enough to get excited about. Monday the 10th sees a jump in size to 6ft, but the wind swings NW and gets nasty, with a strong breeze making it messy. Tuesday the 11th is even worse, with a short-period 8ft WSW swell at 8 seconds and onshore winds – that’s just lumpy, choppy chaos. Wednesday the 12th stays poor with strong cross-shore winds and rain. Thursday the 13th is a bit bigger at 10ft, but it’s still cross-shore and messy, and that’s only for the experienced crew – 10 feet is expert territory.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Saturday the 15th of August is the standout. The morning is pure magic: a 7ft SW swell, 15-second period, and glassy conditions with just a slight air. The energy is strong (2204) and it’s clean, clean, clean. This is the best morning of the whole run. Cape Paterson (a beach and reef setup) is sheltered from the SW, which is right in its wheelhouse. It’s a bit of a beast for beginners, but for those who know what they’re doing, this is the one to get. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-shore breeze, so get on it early.

The rest of the week settles down. Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th have smaller, cleaner waves in the 5-5ft range with light offshore winds. Good, but nothing special. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are nice and clean with a light breeze and 3-4ft SW swell – small but fun. There’s a bit of a lull from Thursday the 20th through Saturday the 22nd, with weak energy and onshore winds making it pretty ordinary. Saturday the 22nd does have a 7ft swell, but the period is only 6-7 seconds, so it’s just mushy and weak – not worth the paddle.

Then we get another little gem. Sunday the 23rd of August looks promising again, with a 5ft SW swell in the morning building to 5ft by the afternoon. The wind goes light and glassy, and the energy is solid (1098). It’s a very good forecast for clean, lined-up waves. That’s your second highlight of the fortnight, a bit further out, so take it with a grain of salt, but it’s looking sweet. After that, Monday the 24th fades back into cross-shore and mediocre conditions.

So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly junk, but don’t sleep on Saturday the 15th – that’s the one. Then keep an eye on Sunday the 23rd for a clean finish to the run. If you can only pick two days, those are it.

Rusty.

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