Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming for Cathedral Rock.

The next week or so is a bit of a rollercoaster. We've got some serious swell on the cards, but the wind is going to be the main character. The real highlights are the weekend of August 23rd and 24th, and then again at the end of the month. After that, there are a few more clean windows in early September.

Right now, Saturday the 22nd, we have some heavy stuff – 13ft to 15ft from the SW with a 14-second period – but the wind is a messy cross. The combined energy is massive at 11562, but it’s a blown-out mess with chop. Not a good day for a paddle; this is more of a kite-surfing setup.

Sunday the 23rd is where it gets good. The swell drops to a still-juicy 8ft from the SW, but the wind swings to a light NW cross-off at 6 mph. The morning is clean, with a moderate energy of 3403. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon is even better – the wind drops to a slight air, swinging WNW at 3 mph, and the period stretches to 16 seconds. That’s a true groundswell, and it’s clean. This is the best on offer in the early part of the forecast.

Monday the 24th keeps the good times rolling. The swell is still a solid 6ft in the morning, with a clean NNW breeze at 9 mph. The energy is 1432, and the conditions are “excellent.” The afternoon drops to 6ft, but the wind is light and the wave comment says “very good.” A solid day.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th see the swell drop a bit, but more importantly, the wind turns onshore or cross-on from the ESE and S. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The conditions become marginal, with a light chop and some rain showers. The energy drops below 2000, and the quality is not where it should be. You could still get a wave, but it’s not the pick.

Thursday the 27th is a nice little breather. The swell is down to 4ft in the morning, but the wind is a clean offshore from the N at 6 mph. The energy is low at 647, but the wave comment says “good.” The afternoon sees the swell pick up to 5ft with a light cross-off breeze. A great day for a longboard.

Now, Friday the 28th is another standout. The swell jumps to 8ft from the WSW, with a very long 17-second period. That’s a lot of energy (3301) and it’s clean with a NW cross-off in the morning. The afternoon is even cleaner, with the swell at 7ft, a 16-second period, and a slight air. This is “excellent” for experienced surfers. This is one of the best days of the entire forecast.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are a bit of a washout again. The swell is big – 10ft to 13ft – but the wind is onshore and the conditions are “marginal” with rain showers. The energy is enormous (over 8500 on Sunday afternoon), but it’s going to be a messy, blown-out mess. Kite surfers might be frothing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a pass.

Monday the 31st of August is a real gem. The swell is 8ft with a 16-second period, and the wind is dead calm. The reports say “glassy” conditions. That’s a rare treat. The energy is 3515, and the wave comment is “excellent” for experienced surfers. If you can get out there, this is the day.

Tuesday the 1st of September starts with a 10ft swell and a cross wind, but it’s still manageable. The afternoon turns into a poor onshore mess, so pick your window.

The rest of the forecast into the first week of September is a series of clean, smaller windows. Wednesday the 2nd is small and choppy, but Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th have some promise. Thursday has a clean 6ft to 7ft swell with NNW cross-off winds, and Friday the 4th has a big 12ft swell but with a cross wind. The final weekend, the 5th and 6th of September, sees a return to clean conditions. Saturday the 5th has a 7ft swell with an offshore NNW breeze and a glassy afternoon. Sunday the 6th has a 8ft swell with a 16-second period and a clean cross-off wind. Those are solid, promising days.

So, the true standouts are Sunday the 23rd, Friday the 28th, and Monday the 31st of August. Mark your calendar.

Rusty.

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