Fortress Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here in the old units. Let’s have a good, honest look at the coming swell window for Fortress.

First thing to say is, this is gonna be a long, quiet stretch. We’re talking a 16-day outlook but honestly, there’s next to nothing that’s going to get you out of bed early. The swell is tiny and the wind is all over the shop. Most days are a write-off, with weak, short-period slop and messy conditions. It’s the kind of run where you don’t bother checking the cam.

Looking through the days, Tuesday the 11th is a no-go: 0.5m (2ft) of 6-second S swell, cross-off wind, poor surf. Wednesday the 12th has a moment of glass in the morning but the swell is only 0.4m (1ft) – basically a lake. Thursday the 13th has a slightly bigger 0.7m (2ft) pulse but it’s blown out by strong WSW winds. This pattern of tiny S or SSW swell with messy cross and cross-off wind just keeps repeating through the week. Friday the 14th has offshore WNW wind at 30 km/h (19 mph), but the swell is a pathetic 0.4m (1ft). There’s just no energy.

There is a tiny spike in energy around Monday the 17th. We get a combined energy of 152 (moderate) but it’s only 1.2m (4ft) of 7-second S swell and gusty NNW winds. It’s poor. Tuesday the 18th afternoon sees a long-period 15-second SE groundswell pop up with a combined energy of 211 (moderate), but it’s only 0.4m (1ft) and cross-on. That long period is wasted on this beach.

Honestly, the only time I’d even point a finger is Sunday the 23rd of August. The morning shows 1.1m (4ft) of S swell with offshore W wind at 10 km/h (6 mph). Combined energy is 117 (moderate). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s the most optimistic note in this whole file. The swell is small, light wind, but it’s the best on offer. Even then, we drop back to poor later. Tuesday the 25th gets a similar “surfable but ordinary” tag with 0.8m (3ft) S swell and clean cross-off wind, but again, tiny.

So, what’s the standout? There isn’t one, not really. The best is Sunday the 23rd morning at Fortress – a reef break, fairly consistent, but it’s a small, weak south swell. The water temp is sitting around 22°C (72°F) which is about average for this time of year. If you’re desperate for a splash, that’s your window. But don’t expect much.

If you’re into kites, the strong cross-off winds on the 14th and 22nd might be more your speed than mine.

This is a lean period, groms. Forecasts can change, so don’t lose all hope, but for now, I’d be checking the long-range models for anything else. Rusty.

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