Flatrock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

Flatrock is the only game in town for this outlook, and it’s a reef break that handles a SW swell. The water temp is around 15°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

We’re looking at a bit of a slow start. The first few days, from the 19th into the 20th, have some solid swell on the menu, around 7ft to 8ft from the WSW and SW, but the wind is howling from the W and WNW at 19 mph, creating poor and lumpy conditions. It’s one of those times where the ocean has plenty of energy (1855 to 4595 in combined swell energy) but it’s all just messy and uninviting for a paddle out. You’d be better off watching from the cliff.

It’s not until Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd that things start to mellow out a bit, but it’s still only marginal. We’ve got 8ft to 10ft of SW swell with periods around 15 seconds suggesting some real groundswell power, but the wind stays cross-on or onshore. Saturday morning is looking the best of this batch with lighter winds, just a 3 mph breeze making it light cross-onshore with small ripples. The combined energy is still strong at 3417, so there’s push, but the shape will be average.

Now, keep your eyes peeled for Monday the 24th and Wednesday the 26th of August. Both mornings are showing glassy conditions with a smaller 5ft swell from the SW. The period drops to 13-14 seconds, so it’s still a decent groundswell, and the combined energy is in the low-to-mid 1000s. This is the kind of clean, lined-up reef surf that Flatrock can deliver for experienced surfers. The tides will be key here, but the wind is dead calm, so the surface will be like glass. This is a strong standout for those who know the rock.

The real highlight, though, is the end of the run. Friday the 28th of August afternoon is absolutely screaming. We’re looking at a massive 13ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the combined wave energy is a staggering 12893. But here’s the kicker: the wind is dead calm. Glassy. The report calls it “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers” and I have to agree. That’s big, heavy, clean reef surf. This is not for the faint of heart or for beginners. For the experts among you, this is the one to circle.

Following that, Saturday the 29th offers a still very solid 10ft SSW swell with light offshore winds (ENE at 9 mph). That’s a clean setup for experienced surfers, and the energy is still strong at 4521. A great option if the Friday peak is a bit too bombastic.

The first week of September settles down. The 1st sees cleaner, smaller conditions with 5ft SSW swells and light cross-offshore winds. The energy drops to around 1000-1200, making for a much more manageable session suitable for competent intermediates. After that, the swell fades and the winds pick up through the 2nd and 3rd, offering only marginal and small waves.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off for quality surfing. The standout windows are the glassy mornings of the 24th and 26th for a clean, smaller session, and the monster, glassy afternoon of the 28th for the big-wave chargers. The 29th is also a great, clean option at 10ft. Don’t get too excited about the first few days unless you’re keen on a battle.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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