Flatrock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s not all clean and easy. The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag with some serious size and wind to deal with, but the real standout sessions are waiting for those who are patient and know what they’re doing.

Monday 7th September kicks things off with a building SW swell coming in around 5ft to 6ft. The energy is moderate (1082) and there’s a cross-off wind, but the report says it’s marginal. It’s a bit of a warm-up, not the best. The water temp is 60°, which is about average for this time of year.

Then Tuesday 8th September is where it gets interesting. The morning brings a solid 8ft SW swell with a very long period of 17 seconds. The energy jumps right up to strong (4043). The wind is light and cross-off, making it clean. This is a serious session for experienced surfers only – that size is too much for beginners. The long period means the waves will have real power and shape, but it’s a reef break, so that’s where it shines.

Wednesday 9th September sees the swell crank up to a massive 13ft, with energy soaring into the very strong range (10738). The wind is strong from the SE, but it’s cross-off, so the waves will be clean. This is big, powerful, and not for the faint of heart. Only for experts, and even then, you need to be on your game.

The highlight of the first week is Thursday 10th September. The morning has a 12ft SSW swell, energy is still very strong (5319), and we get offshore E winds at 25 km/h. That’s the magic combination – clean, offshore conditions on a big, powerful swell. This is exceptional for experts. The afternoon drops slightly to 10ft but stays offshore clean.

Friday 11th September offers a bit of a breather with a 7ft to 8ft swell, and the afternoon is a hidden gem. Light SSE winds at just 5 km/h make for glassy, clean conditions. The energy is still strong (3158), so the waves will have punch. Excellent for experienced surfers.

The weekend takes a turn for the worse. Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September see the swell drop and the wind swing onshore or cross, making for choppy, poor conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Monday 14th September is a write-off with onshore wind and dropping swell.

Things start to look up again on Tuesday 15th September with a clean 7ft SW swell and offshore E winds. The energy is moderate (1684). This is a solid, fun day for experienced surfers.

Wednesday 16th September brings back the size with a 10ft SW swell and offshore ESE winds. Very strong energy (3417). Another one for the experts on a clean, powerful wave.

After that, the wind gets messy again until we hit the real standout period at the end of the run.

Sunday 20th September is a beauty. The afternoon goes flat calm, glassy, with a 8ft SW swell. The energy is strong (2949). Absolutely clean conditions. This is a top pick for experienced surfers.

But the best of the entire forecast, the one to circle on the calendar, is Monday 21st September. The morning already has a huge 13ft SW swell with massive energy (14216). The wind is strong cross-off. The afternoon, however, is where it gets wild. The swell hits 15ft, the energy is off the charts at 16168, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore. The report says the swell is too big for this break. That’s a monster, and it’s only for the bravest and most skilled. The true standout, though, is Tuesday 22nd September. The morning has a 12ft SW swell, very long period of 17 seconds, and near-calm NNE winds. The energy is very strong (7367). The afternoon is glassy with the same swell. The reports call this exceptional for experts. This is your target. The water will be clean, the waves will have immense power and shape, and if you can handle it, you’ll score the session of the month.

So, to sum it up: the big, clean, offshore days are for experts. The standouts are Thursday 10th September for the offshore wind on a big swell, and Tuesday 22nd September for the glassy, long-period perfection. The rest of the time is either too big, too windy, or too small. Get out there if you’ve got the skills.

- Rusty

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