Coombesgate Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Truth be told, it’s a bit of a rough start. For the first week or so, the conditions are pretty messy. We’re looking at a lot of cross-onshore wind, bumpy surfaces, and the wave quality is just not there for a good paddle. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a pleasant surprise if you’re getting in for a dip, but it won’t help the surf.

The first real opportunity doesn’t pop up until Sunday the 20th of September. That afternoon at Coombesgate Beach, the wind swings around to an east-northeasterly, giving us a light cross-off breeze. The swell is small, only about 3ft from the west with a period of 8 seconds, and the wave energy is weak (137). It’s clean, but you’ll be hunting for little waist-high runners. It’s a beginner-friendly break, and fairly consistent, so if you’re just starting out or want to stretch your legs on a longboard, it’s worth a look. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so expect a few others with the same idea.

Then we hit a bit of a dry spell. The surf gets tiny again, dropping to 2ft and less through Monday the 21st, and there’s barely any energy in the water. It stays quiet until Tuesday the 22nd of September, when a new pulse of swell shows up in the morning. That bump is 6ft from the west, but the period is short at 7 seconds, and it’s coming in with a cross-onshore wind from the north-northwest. The combined energy climbs to a moderate 247, but the conditions are choppy. Not a standout, but if you’re desperate and have a grovel board, it’s ridable.

Wednesday the 23rd of September morning sees the biggest swell of the whole outlook – 7ft from the west. That’s getting into the size where it’s only really for experienced surfers, and the north wind is cross-shore and lumpy. The energy is moderate at 373, but the lack of clean wind holds it back. Afternoon sees the wind ease, but it’s still cross-onshore.

From Thursday the 24th of September onward, the swell drops right back down again, and we’re looking at 2ft or less for the rest of the run. The wind does turn offshore from the east on Thursday and Friday, so the surface will be glassy and clean, but there’s just no power in the water. The period does stretch out to 13 seconds on Saturday the 26th of September, but with only 1ft of swell, that long period groundswell will just be sliding through without much to offer a surfer.

So, to sum it up: the best window is the afternoon of Sunday the 20th of September for a small, clean session at Coombesgate Beach. After that, Tuesday the 22nd through Wednesday the 23rd offers the most size, but with lumpy conditions. The rest of the period is small and clean but flat. Not a classic run, but we take what we get.

Rusty.

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