Flatrock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about Flatrock.

We've got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks. There's plenty of swell to look at, but a lot of it is going to be blown out. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

First up, there's some action from Monday afternoon the 17th through Tuesday the 18th. Swell hangs around 6ft from the southwest with a very long 16 to 17-second period. The energy is strong (2272), but the wind is a moderate cross-off from the northeast, so it’ll be clean but not perfect. Problem is the forecast says it’s marginal, so don't expect magic.

Things turn real ugly Wednesday the 19th. Onshore winds slam in from the west, dropping the swell to 4-5ft, and the rating is a flat zero. That's a write-off day.

Thursday the 20th sees the swell bump back up to 7-7ft from the southwest, still with that long 16-second period, and the energy is strong (2556). The wind is light cross-onshore in the morning, so it's not terrible, but it's not clean either. We're still looking at a marginal call.

Now, Friday the 21st. This is where it gets serious. We've got a solid 8ft southwest swell, 17-second period, and the energy is pumped up to 6146. That's strong. The problem is the onshore west wind, which means it’s going to be lumpy and hard to surf. The best I can say is it's got potential for experienced surfers only. This size is not for beginners.

Saturday the 22nd stays big at 8ft, but the wind swings southwest and stays cross-onshore, making it choppy. Not the one.

Sunday the 23rd is interesting. The morning shows a drop to 5ft but with a very long 17-second period and a light cross-off breeze from the NNE. The report says "excellent for experienced surfers." This might be the cleanest wave of the first week, even if it's a bit smaller. The energy is still strong (2600). This is a standout for the early window.

From Monday the 24th right through to the 27th, it’s mostly messy. We get some smaller swells (4-5ft) with cross-shore or onshore winds. The 27th is a disaster: 12ft of southwest swell with 25 mph onshore wind. That's a washing machine. Forget it for surfing – that's kite-surfing territory.

There's another serious window on the horizon. Saturday the 29th morning looks epic. Clean, glassy conditions with a 6ft southwest swell at 16 seconds. The energy is solid (1664). It’s got the "excellent for experienced surfers" tag. This is the second standout. It will be clean and punchy.

Sunday the 30th is also looking promising. Morning has clean cross-off winds from the northeast, 6ft swell, 15 seconds, and then the afternoon goes glassy with light wind. Both windows are rated excellent, and the energy sits around 2000-2200. This whole weekend is the best on offer in the second week.

After that, Monday the 1st of September gets blown out again with strong winds, so the window closes.

To wrap it up: if you want the best, circle Sunday the 23rd of August for a clean, powerful southwest groundswell at Flatrock, or hold out for that glassy morning on Saturday the 29th of August. The rest of the time, you'll be fighting the wind or the size.

Rusty.

Read more