Freights Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow start, and there’s a lot of flat, ordinary conditions to wade through before we get to anything you’d want to paddle out for. Real mixed bag, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

We’re kicking off on Monday, September 14th, and the first recommendation doesn’t really come until the afternoon. The morning’s a write-off with a risk of thunderstorms and onshore junk. By afternoon, the wind at Freights switches offshore from the ENE, and the swell is small at 4 ft from the ENE, period a short 8 seconds. The water temperature is 85°, which is about average for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate (255). It’s clean and surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Tuesday and Wednesday are similar stories—small surf, mostly 3 ft to 4 ft, short period, and a mix of cross-offshore winds. The wave energy drops through the week, from 191 down to 96 by Saturday afternoon. Nothing really stands out.

The first week is a real struggle. Thursday morning sees a bump to 5 ft from the E, but with 22 mph winds, it’s a battle. The energy is moderate (291), and the offshore wind keeps it clean, but it’s only for dedicated paddlers.

From Friday the 18th through to the following Thursday the 24th, there’s a real gap. Surf is tiny, often under 3 ft, with weak energy (as low as 39) and mostly cross-off winds. It’s a grim run. Not much reason to get wet.

Then we get a little spark on Friday, September 25th. The morning is still poor, but the afternoon session at Freights sees a clean 6 ft swell from the E, with a 7-second period and moderate offshore wind. The energy is moderate (290), and the conditions are rated as good. It’s the first real standout in this window.

But the real highlight, the one I’m saving my energy for, is Saturday, September 26th. This is the best on offer. The morning has a fresh offshore breeze from the E, and the swell is 3 ft from the NNE, but with a very long period of 13 seconds. That’s groundswell, and the combined energy is strong at 537. This is a long-period swell, and at a point break like Freights, it should set up nicely. It’s clean, punchy, and the paddling out will be easier between sets. Come afternoon, the wind stays offshore, and it remains clean with 3 ft and a 12-second period (378 energy). This is the standout session.

Sunday the 27th keeps the good run going with offshore wind and 3 ft from the NNE, still with long 12-second periods. Energy is strong (326–333). It’s clean and consistent.

Monday the 28th offers another solid afternoon, with 3 ft from the ESE, 8-second period, offshore wind, and moderate energy (276). A good, clean option.

After that, it fades again into small, weak surf towards the end of the month. The energy drops, the periods go back to short, and the cross-off winds return.

So, in short: this is a waiting game. The first week is mostly a bust. The real standout is Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th at Freights, with clean, offshore winds and long-period groundswell. That’s where I’ll be.

Rusty.

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