Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Alright, straight up – it’s a grim stretch ahead. The whole 16-day window is a write-off for any decent surf. We’re looking at a long, long gap with nothing worth paddling out for. The first week and a half is just a total loss.

We’ve got one spot on the radar – Empty Lots – and it’s a reef break that’s fairly consistent, but that’s about the only good thing I can say. For the first nine days, from Wednesday the 26th of August right through to about Thursday the 3rd of September, we’re dealing with a relentless cross-shore wind. It’s a fresh breeze from the ENE, blowing at 19 mph, and it’s just killing everything. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions” every single session. The swell is tiny, bouncing between 2 ft and 4 ft, mostly from the SSW or S, with periods that are all over the place. The combined swell energy is moderate, ranging from 444 to 946, but it doesn’t matter because the wind has it chopped up and lumpy. It’s a complete mess. There’s no standout, no hidden gem here. The water temp is 82°F, which is about average for the time of year, but you won’t feel it through the frustration.

The second week doesn’t get much better. From the 1st of September onwards, the wind eases a little, but we’re still stuck with cross-shore breezes and only marginal conditions. The swell stays small, around 2 ft to 3 ft, and the energy is moderate at best. Honestly, the best chance we see is way out on the 9th of September, Wednesday afternoon, when the wind drops to glassy – a gentle 3 mph from the SE. That’s a 2 out of 10 score, but even then the swell is only 2 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period. It’s tiny and clean, but it’s barely a wave. Then on the 10th of September, Thursday afternoon, we get another glassy spell with a 2 ft swell from the SW, but this time the period is a very long 21 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, but it’s so small and the break is a reef, so it might just roll through without doing much. The energy is moderate at 683. That’s the closest thing to a highlight, but it’s a long way off and a real gamble.

Bottom line: there’s nothing to get excited about. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on that Thursday afternoon on the 10th of September, but don’t hold your breath. The forecast can change, but right now, it’s a flat, windy mess. I’d be checking the kite gear if I were you.

Rusty.

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