Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—this isn’t looking like a classic run for Freshwater and Harbord. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions ahead, so don’t plan your week around it. We’re talking about a solid 10-day gap where there’s nothing worth paddling out for. Forecasts can shift, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

We’re starting from Saturday, August 15, and honestly, it’s a write-off. Tiny, weak swell coming from the ENE at just 1.0 ft with a short period and light cross-onshore wind. Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year (anomaly of -3°). Not much energy at all (17 combined). Sunday the 16th isn’t much better—swell jumps to 4 ft but it’s onshore from the SE with a period of just 6 seconds, making for messy, choppy conditions. That trend of poor surf and onshore wind carries right through until Friday, August 21.

Now, Friday the 21st morning brings a small glimmer. Clean conditions with a light offshore wind from the NNW, but the swell is tiny at 3 ft from the ENE with a period of 6 seconds. It’s clean, but the energy is weak (53 combined), and the waves are just too small to get excited about.

The real standout isn’t until Tuesday, August 25, but it’s a tricky one. We see a jump in swell size to 7 ft from the SSE, with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy ramps up to 421 combined. That’s substantial. However, the wind is onshore and it looks pretty average. This is shaping up to be one for experienced surfers only, and honestly, the conditions are poor, so it’s a tough sell.

The next real potential window opens Friday, August 28. The morning looks best: a solid 8 ft swell from the ENE (optimum direction for Freshwater) with a period of 8 seconds, combined energy of 592, and a moderate offshore wind from the NW. That’s clean, powerful surf. This is the best bet of the whole 16-day window, but remember, it’s a long way out—a promising call, but not locked in.

The following morning, Saturday, August 29, still has decent swell at 7 ft from the NE, but it’s dropping off, and the wind is cross-offshore. Still clean, but the quality is marginal.

Beyond that, by Sunday the 30th, the swell drops away again to 3 ft. Another gap.

So, to sum it up: don’t rush down there this week. The only session that’s got my attention is Friday morning, August 28, at Freshwater—clean 8 ft ENE groundswell with offshore wind, solid energy. It’s a bright spot in an otherwise quiet outlook.

Rusty.

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