Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the outlook for Cathedral Rock. This is a point break that’s fairly exposed to the SW, and it’s picking up a nice run of groundswell over the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest rubber just yet.

The first few days are a slow burn. On Tuesday the 1st of September, we’ve got a 6ft SW swell coming in, but with a NNW wind around 15 mph, it’s a bit messy. The combined energy is moderate (1290), but it’s not really singing. Hang tight.

Wednesday the 2nd of September is where it starts to get interesting. The morning brings a clean 8ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the wind is a gentle WNW cross-off at 9 mph. The energy is strong (2911). This is proper stuff—long, powerful lines that will wrap beautifully around the point. The afternoon holds at 8ft SW with a 15-second period and the same clean wind. This is for experienced surfers, as it’s pushing over 8ft. It’s a standout window.

Thursday the 3rd of September is a different beast. The morning is a solid 13ft SW with a 14-second period, but a strong WSW wind at 15 mph is blowing cross, making it lumpy. The energy is very strong (5175), but the quality is marginal. The afternoon clears up a bit with an 18ft WSW swell and a lighter W wind at 9 mph, but it’s still cross and the energy is extreme (16289). This is massive, only for the elite, and the cross-chop will be a handful.

Friday the 4th of September offers a 13ft SW swell in the morning, with a 16-second period and a clean NW wind at 12 mph. Strong energy (7220). The afternoon drops to 12ft, still clean. It’s big, but for experienced surfers it’s a goer. Saturday the 5th gets blown out by fresh W winds, so don’t get too excited.

Sunday the 6th of September is the real gem. The morning has an 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, and a light NNW wind at 6 mph—clean. The afternoon is absolute glass: 8ft SW, 13 seconds, and a glassy WNW breeze at just 3 mph. The energy is moderate (1841), but the conditions are perfect. This is the best session on offer for the whole outlook. Paddling out will be easy between sets, and the point will be reeling.

Monday the 7th of September sees the swell drop to 4-4ft, with glassy conditions in the morning and a light offshore in the afternoon. It’s clean but small, a good day for a log or a longboard.

From Tuesday the 8th of September, there’s a tricky patch. The morning has a 4ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period and clean wind, but it’s tiny. The afternoon jumps to 7ft with a 17-second period and glassy conditions—great shape, but the sets will be few and far between. Then from Wednesday the 9th of September through to Friday the 11th, a strong onshore wind from the south takes over, with huge swells up to 16ft but poor, choppy conditions. Kite surfers would love it, but for paddle surfing, it’s a write-off.

Saturday the 12th of September sees the swell settling around 12ft, but the wind is still onshore from the south, making it messy. By Monday the 14th of September, the wind swings north and we get a clean, 6ft SW swell with a 13-second period. Light breeze, clean lines. It’s a nice little return to form.

The last few days fade out. Tuesday the 15th of September is only 3ft, and Wednesday the 16th of September has a 5ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period, but onshore wind spoils it. The energy is moderate (1910), but the conditions are only marginal.

To wrap it up: the standout is Sunday the 6th of September, with that glassy afternoon session. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is also a cracker for the experienced crew. Everything else is either too big and lumpy, or too small. Stay patient, and keep an eye on the wind.

Rusty.

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