Deadman's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Deadman’s, a reef break that only shows its cards every now and then.

Look, straight up – there’s no surf worth chasing for the first few days here. The waves stay small and the conditions are just okay. We’ve got a bit of a wait ahead. The first window where it gets interesting starts around Thursday the 3rd of September, but even then it’s marginal. The real standout – the one I’d pencil in – lands on Friday the 11th of September into Saturday the 12th.

Alright, let’s run through it from the start.

Saturday 29 August – Waves around 4ft from the SSW, long period 18 seconds (groundswell). The water temp is 59°, pretty normal for this time of year, no drama there. But the wind is a fresh cross-off in the afternoon, which keeps things clean. Still, the combined swell energy is moderate (1028), and the spot is inconsistent and often crowded, so it’s not a goer.

Sunday 30 August – Similar swell, 4ft from the SSW dropping to 4ft, period dropping to 16 seconds. Winds are gentle cross-shore, but the energy is lower (960 down to 916). More of the same marginal stuff.

Monday 31 August – Small swell coming in at 3ft, then 3ft in the afternoon, period 14 seconds. Afternoon goes glassy with light winds – that’s nice – and the energy is weak to moderate (418). Still, it’s not really doing enough.

Tuesday 1 September – Swell drops further to 3ft then 2ft, period 13 seconds. Afternoon glassy again, but the energy is low (351). Not enough push.

Wednesday 2 September – Swell bottoms out at 2ft then 2ft, period 16-18 seconds, but the wind is onshore and the energy is weak (228). Poor.

Thursday 3 September – Morning shows a 3ft SSW swell with a long 19-second period, energy moderate (828). But it’s cross-shore wind. Afternoon shifts to a 4ft WNW swell, short period 10 seconds, energy moderate (795). Still not clean enough.

Friday 4 September – Swell holds at 3ft from the SSW, period 18 seconds in the morning. Offshore wind with moderate energy (1009). This is getting closer, but it’s still not firing.

Saturday 5 September to Wednesday 9 September – Swell hovers around 3ft to 3ft, mostly SSW, with periods from 13 to 16 seconds. Winds are light, sometimes glassy or cross. The best of this stretch is Wednesday the 9th afternoon – glassy conditions, 3ft SSW swell, 13 seconds, energy moderate (528). Decent for a little slide but nothing to write home about.

Now here’s the one that stands out.

Friday 11 September afternoon – Swell jumps to 5ft from the WNW, short period 11 seconds, with a fresh cross-off breeze from the NNW. Energy is strong (1059). Waves are clean, and this is the best size and wind combo in the whole run. The swell direction isn’t perfect for this SW-optimised reef, but the strength and clean conditions make it worth a look. Crowds are often here, so expect company. The short period means the waves will be a bit lumpy but workable.

Saturday 12 September – Morning holds 5ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, cross-off wind, moderate energy (773). Afternoon jumps to 6ft from the NW, short period 7 seconds, strong cross-off breeze. Energy is moderate (665). That afternoon is a solid size, but the period is short and the wind is strong. This is more for experienced surfers – 6ft is too big for beginners. The combination of short period and cross-off wind means the reef might handle it better than a beach break, but it’ll be punchy and bumpy.

Sunday 13 September – Swell drops to 5ft then 6ft from the NW, period 7-9 seconds. Winds stay cross-off or cross, energy moderate (569-591). Still some size but fading and rough.

So the pick is Friday 11 September afternoon at Deadman’s – 5ft, clean, strong energy. Saturday the 12th afternoon is also notable for size but more unruly.

Take it easy out there.

Rusty.

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