Flatrock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your wettie, ‘cause I’ve been staring at the charts for Flatrock and there’s a bit of a mixed bag coming our way. This is a solid, exposed reef setup that needs the right wind, and we’ve got some serious size on the horizon, but the wind is gonna be the main character in this story.

Right now, the water temp is sitting at around 60°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The outlook kicks off on Wednesday, September 2nd, but honestly, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a 10ft SW swell (15-second period, so a nice groundswell) but it’s getting hammered by a 30 km/h W wind. The combined energy is moderate at 3197, but it’s just messy and poor.

Thursday, September 3rd is a bit of a washout too. The swell jumps to 13ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, and the energy is massive (10402), but it’s all cross-onshore and choppy. The morning is particularly grim with rain showers. The afternoon cleans up a little with a lighter 15 km/h breeze, but it’s still only marginal.

We start to see some hope on Friday, September 4th morning. The swell is 12ft from the SW, period 16 seconds (long-period groundswell), with a moderate 5921 combined energy. The wind goes cross-offshore from the NNE at 30 km/h, which will clean it up nicely. This is a solid, advanced wave. The afternoon gets wrecked by a 35 km/h NNW wind, so get in early.

Saturday, September 5th is a raw day. Strong WSW winds at 35 km/h, 13ft SW swell, 14-second period, with 5317 energy. It’s lumpy and onshore. Not one for the paddle.

Now, Sunday, September 6th morning is a proper standout. The sky is clear, wind is light from the NE at 10 km/h, making it cross-offshore and clean. The swell is still a solid 10ft from the SW, 14-second period, with 4010 energy. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a cross-on wind, so the window is the morning.

Monday, September 7th morning gets interesting. The swell drops to 5ft from the SW, 13-second period, but the wind is offshore from the ESE at 25 km/h. The energy is lower at 918 but the conditions look clean. The afternoon sees a tiny 3ft wave with a massive 20-second period (very long groundswell), which is a bit tricky for a reef break but could have some fun lines.

Tuesday, September 8th morning is another big one. 10ft from the SSW, 17-second period, with a combined energy of 4593. The wind is gentle offshore from the ESE at 15 km/h. This is a real standout session for the advanced crew. The afternoon is still clean with an 8ft SSW swell.

Wednesday, September 9th is the big dog. The morning is a bit windy (40 km/h ESE), but the afternoon is the pick of the whole forecast. We’ve got a 13ft SSW swell, 19-second period, and a massive 11766 combined energy. The wind is strong offshore from the ESE at 40 km/h. The report says marginal, but the score is high. That is a heavy, powerful, clean wave—experts only.

Thursday, September 10th carries on the energy. The morning is fresh offshore at 35 km/h, with an 12ft SSW swell, 17-second period, and 7000 energy. The afternoon is still clean but the swell drops a touch.

From Friday, September 11th through to the end of the 16 days, the size drops and the conditions become more mixed. There are a few promising windows, like Sunday, September 13th morning (8ft SW, 16-second period, light SSE wind, clean) and Tuesday, September 15th morning (8ft SW, 15-second period, glassy conditions with WNW wind at 5 km/h), but nothing in the same league as that 9th.

If you’re an expert and you want the biggest, cleanest, most powerful waves of the month, you are looking at Wednesday, September 9th afternoon. The energy is off the charts (11766) and the offshore wind will make it a freight train. For a slightly more manageable but still excellent session, Sunday, September 6th morning and Tuesday, September 8th morning are your best bets.

Stay safe out there, and watch the sets.

Rusty

Read more