Fare Left Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks out at Fare Left.

We've got a long run of surf ahead, but it's a game of patience. The early part of the week is blown out by a stiff easterly wind, so don't get too excited about the first few days. The real standout is shaping up to be the first weekend of September, with a beautiful window of clean conditions.

The water is sitting at 80°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Let's kick it off. Sunday afternoon, 30 August is the first pulse of swell, but it's a messy one. We've got a 8ft SSW groundswell (15-second period) pumping in, but that 22 mph easterly wind has it all chopped up. The wave energy is intense, hitting over 2000 (2177), but it's not doing us any favours for a clean session. This is advanced territory only at that size, and the wind is ruining it.

Monday, 31 August is more of the same. The swell drops a touch to 6ft SSW, still with a solid 14-second period, but that easterly wind hasn't let up. The energy is still strong (1112), but the conditions are a write-off for a decent paddle. It's a shame because the swell has good direction, but the wind is the enemy here.

We see a bit of a lull mid-week. Tuesday, 1 September has smaller 4ft S swell, and the wind drops to a moderate 16 mph offshore. The energy is moderate (444), and the conditions are clean, but it's pretty small. Good for a longboard if you're desperate, but not where the real quality is.

The next real highlight comes on Friday, 4 September. We get another big push of energy, with a 8ft SSW groundswell (16-second period) on the Friday morning. The energy is huge (2900), and the wind is a fresh 22 mph offshore. This is the kind of power that will have the reef roaring, but at 8ft, it's strictly for the experts. The afternoon holds similar size at 8ft, still with that offshore wind, but the energy is still massive (2518). This is a window for the bold.

Now, here's the standout. Saturday, 5 September. The Saturday morning is the best session of the entire forecast. The swell drops to a very manageable 6ft from the SSW, still with a lovely 15-second period, but the wind turns light and offshore from the ESE at just 9 mph. The wave energy is still strong (1409), but the conditions are described as "excellent for experienced surfers". This is clean, lined-up, and powerful. The tide will be a factor, but if you get it right, this is the one to circle. The afternoon drops a touch to 6ft, but the wind goes cross-off, so the morning is the clear winner.

After that, the swell slowly fades through the following week. Sunday, 6 September has 4ft SSW swell, with a light cross-off wind, but it's a step down in quality. The energy drops to moderate (624). The rest of the week into the second week is a slow fade with smaller, less consistent swell and more cross-shore winds. There's a little spike again on Tuesday, 8 September morning with a 3ft SSW groundswell, but it's really just a shadow of the weekend.

The second week from 9 September onwards looks pretty scrappy. The winds turn onshore and cross-shore, and the swell drops right off to the 2ft-3ft range. The energy is weak (293-649). There's a long-period (19-second) swell on Sunday, 13 September, but it's only 2ft and the wind is a cross-off, so it's not going to offer much. Overall, the second week is a dud. Don't bother.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute best surf on offer is the Saturday morning of 5 September at Fare Left. Get on it. The Friday before is also solid for the experts. The rest is either too windy, too small, or too messy.

Rusty out.

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