Ethel Wreck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Ethel Wreck. This is a proper reef setup, and it's an advanced wave that doesn't break all that often. There's a long stretch of nothing useful to start with, so we’re looking at a bit of a waiting game. The water’s sitting at 60°F on the 31st, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year, so no crazy warmth or chill to report.

The first chance to even think about paddling out is Monday afternoon, 31st August. Even then, it’s rated as marginal, with a 7ft SW groundswell (18 seconds) and a N wind. That’s a cross-offshore breeze, so the face should be clean, but the confidence is low. You’re looking at a combined energy of 2912, which is solid, but the forecast says it’s questionable.

Then it gets rough. Tuesday the 1st brings a strong 25 mph northerly, and the wind stays ugly all the way through until the 8th. We’re talking fresh cross-onshore and lumpy, gusty winds, and lumpy sea states. The swell is actually there, but it’s being torn apart. This is a reef, so it’s not a kite spot, but with that wind, you’d be fighting a losing battle. The morning of the 4th of September has a brief window of cleaner conditions with a 10ft SW swell, but it’s still only a marginal call.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Wednesday, 9th September. The morning session has a 10ft SW groundswell (16 seconds) and an ESE light breeze at 6 mph, giving you a cross-off wind. The afternoon is even better for the clean-nutters: a slight north-northeast air at 3 mph, glassy conditions. The combined energy is 3916 and 3990 respectively, which is strong. The data says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. At 10ft, this is expert territory, and it’s a long-period swell, so expect those lines to stand up nicely on this reef. Ethel Wreck is inconsistent, so when it turns on with clean wind like this, it’s magic. Crowds are often a thing here, so be ready for that.

The following day, Thursday, 10th September, is also a cracker. Another 10ft SW groundswell (18 seconds) with a 6 mph north wind, clean and glassy. Energy is 5134, which is very strong. That’s probably the pick of the run for pure power. Friday the 11th stays good, with a 7ft SW swell and offshore winds, perfect for a quieter session after the big days.

After that, things settle down. The morning of the 12th is still fun with a clean 5ft swell, but the energy dips to 878, which is weak. It’s a lighter wave, but still clean. The 13th and 14th are more marginal, with the wind going cross-shore or onshore, and the forecast is less certain. The long-range stuff around the 15th of September is just small, clean waves, but nothing to get too excited about.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off with bad wind. Lock in the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September. That’s the gold. The 9th is the most promising for the combo of power and glass, but the 10th has the bigger energy.

Rusty.

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