8th Street Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Honestly, mate, this is a tough stretch. Right now and for the next 16 days, the surf is going to be a real struggle. There’s a long gap of nothing worthwhile on the cards, and nothing that really gets the heart pumping. For the first week and a half, it’s flat to tiny, with poor conditions making it a write-off. Then, around the 20th of September, we see a pulse of energy, but it comes with messy wind.

Let’s start with the only spot on offer: 8th Street Jetty. It’s an advanced-level break, fairly exposed to the swell. The water temperature is a balmy 77°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, like summer has overstayed its welcome.

From now until the 20th of September, the swell is a joke. We’re looking at mostly 0.7 ft to 3 ft of weak, short-period slop. The combined wave energy is pitiful, barely cracking double digits (9 to 59). The only positive is that on Saturday the 12th, the morning goes glassy with a light ESE breeze, and on Thursday the 10th afternoon, we get a gentle offshore from the WNW. But with a swell height of only 1.0 ft, it’s not worth paddling out for. The wind shifts around a lot, but it’s mostly cross or onshore, with a few cross-off moments. The wave comment says it all: “poor surf conditions.”

Then, on Sunday the 20th of September, the afternoon shows a bit of life. The swell bumps up to 5 ft from the east, with a period of 6 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 157 (moderate), but it’s ruined by a moderate cross-onshore breeze from the ENE, making it choppy. Too lumpy for a good time.

The 21st of September Monday morning and afternoon sees the biggest swell of the outlook: 5 ft from the east, with a 7-second period. The energy is up to 246 (strong). But again, the wind is a moderate cross-shore chop, making it messy. At 5 ft, it’s getting a bit too big for beginners, and the wind won’t do it any favours. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, to be honest.

The rest of the period fades back into tiny, weak waves with poor wind. There’s no standout here. The best of a bad bunch is the 21st of September, but it’s not a day to get excited about. For a spot that’s usually consistent, this is a real flat spell. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long wait.

Stay tuned, and hopefully, the ocean wakes up soon.

- Rusty

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