Freshwater West Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down the waves for Freshwater West. Honestly, it’s a bleak outlook for the first couple of weeks. We’ve got a 16-day window, but there’s a massive gap of flat, poor surf from the start all the way until the 9th of August. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, sitting around 63°F, but that’s about the only good news.

From the 27th of July through the 9th of August, it’s a relentless run of onshore and cross-onshore winds, tiny swell, and poor conditions. The wind is coming from the W, WSW, and SW, mostly blowing straight on or cross-on, at speeds from 9 mph to 22 mph. Swell heights are tiny, mostly under 3 ft, with a short, weak period of 5 to 7 seconds. The combined energy is weak, with values like 94, 64, and 29 – just nothing to work with. The odd morning might have a clean look from a cross-offshore breeze, like on the 3rd of August with a stiff ESE wind, but there’s no swell at barely 1 ft. This whole stretch is a total flat spell.

Things finally change around the 9th of August. Sunday morning brings a 5 ft swell from the SW, period of 8 seconds, and a combined energy of 460 (moderate). But the wind is onshore from the WSW at 16 mph, so it’s going to be messy. Sunday afternoon kicks up to 6 ft from the SW, period still 8 seconds, energy of 577, with a lighter onshore wind from the W at 9 mph. It’s not clean, but it’s a sign of life.

The one to really wait for, the standout, is the 10th of August. This is the best on offer. Freshwater West on Monday morning is looking at a solid 6 ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 10 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, with a combined energy of 770 (strong). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the N at 16 mph, so the waves will be smooth. The swell is over 5 ft, so it’s not for the beginners, but if you’re experienced, this is the window. Monday afternoon holds the swell at 7 ft from the WSW, energy of 825, but the wind goes cross-shore from the NW at 12 mph, which will add some texture. The morning session is the clear winner.

After that, it fades. Tuesday the 11th has a 4 ft swell from the WSW, period 9 seconds, energy of 277 (moderate), but the wind is back onshore from the W at 6 mph in the morning, then stronger onshore in the afternoon. So, to wrap it up: a whole lot of nothing for the first 13 days, then a solid, clean, powerful window on the morning of the 10th of August. That’s your only real shot.

Keep it between the flags,
Rusty

Read more