Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, we’ve got a rough start. Saturday the 22nd is a washout – strong onshore winds, messy, lumpy surf pushing 12 feet. That’s one for the kite crew, not for paddle surfing. The whole first week is a bit of a battle, honestly. There’s a gap of a few days with no real joy, just marginal conditions and bumpy seas.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the morning of Monday the 24th. The wind goes clean, cross-offshore, and we’ve got a 5 feet SW groundswell rolling in with a long period of 14 seconds. The energy is still moderate (822), but the clean conditions make it a worthwhile paddle for the experienced surfer. Tuesday the 25th afternoon keeps that promise with a similar 5 feet SW swell and clean conditions – that’s a solid session for the crew who know the reef.

Now, the first standout to really get excited about is the morning of Friday the 28th. We’re looking at a solid 7 feet WSW groundswell with a very long period of 17 seconds. The energy is pumping (2829), and the wind is clean, cross-off. That’s proper groundswell energy, so the point and reef setups will be the go – it’s going to be lined up and powerful. At 7 feet, this is for the experts. It’s the pick of the first week, no doubt.

The second week brings more potential. Sunday the 30th morning has a 4 feet SW swell, but the period is a massive 19 seconds – very long period. The combined energy is up there (2568). The wind is light, cross-onshore, just a bit of ripple. That’s a sneaky, clean session for the guys who know the break. Then Monday the 31st morning gives us a clean 7 feet SW swell with a 16-second period (2138 energy). That’s another expert-level day, but with the long period, those waves will be holding up beautifully.

The best on offer, though, looks to be the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. Clean, cross-offshore breeze, a 6 feet WSW groundswell (15 seconds, 1590 energy), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the one I’d be circling. The waves will have shape, power, and it’ll be uncrowded if you’re early.

The following Saturday the 5th of September morning also looks clean with a 6 feet SW swell, but the energy is a bit lower (996). Still a fun session, but not the standout.

Overall, we’ve got a few windows of clean, powerful groundswell. The long-period swells (over 15 seconds) mean the beach breaks might be a bit straight, but the reefs and points will be firing. For the experts, the 28th of August and the 3rd of September are the days to be out there. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so don’t expect any surprises there.

Stay stoked, and keep your eye on those clean windows.

Rusty.

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