Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk it out, Rusty style.

First up, it’s a slow start. The first few days are tiny and not doing anything. Thursday the 6th through to the 9th of August? Forget it. We’re talking knee-high slop, maybe a few ankle-biters. The combined energy is weak – mostly under 200. The wind is light, but the swell is just too small. Friday the 9th afternoon gets a “surfable” tag, but it’s nothing to write home about.

Then there’s a big gap. Monday the 10th kicks up a 6-foot ENE swell, but it’s howling 25 mph west wind, so it’s a total mess. Tuesday and Wednesday are back to tiny 2-foot waves. Thursday the 13th has a 4-foot south swell with a 5-second period – that’s pure wind slop, and the cross-on wind is gusty. Another dud.

Friday the 14th afternoon has a 6-foot SSE onshore pulse, but it’s a short-period wind swell. Not good. Saturday the 15th morning is “surfable but ordinary” with a 3-foot east swell. You’d have to really want it.

Now the real deal. Sunday the 16th of August. Morning and afternoon – glassy. Dead calm. A solid 8-foot ESE groundswell rolling in with an 11-second period. The combined energy is massive: 1452 to 1814. That’s strong stuff. The wind is light from the WSW and SW, so it’s going to be clean. At Freshwater and Harbord, this spot is sheltered, and while it likes an ENE swell, this ESE groundswell is going to find its way in with some punch. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one. But listen – at 8 feet, this is for experienced surfers only. Beginners, stay on the beach.

Monday the 17th has a 10-foot ESE swell – that’s huge, with onshore winds making it sloppy. Energy is 2275, but it’s marginal. Not the pick.

Tuesday the 18th morning is another glassy call: 6-foot ESE swell, 10-second period, energy 712, with a light SSW offshore breeze. That’s “expect good surf conditions.” Much more manageable. Late Wednesday the 19th has a 7-foot swell with a 13-second period – long and powerful – but a 12 mph ENE cross-wind chops it up. Thursday the 20th morning is clean again: 6-foot ESE, 11 seconds, with a light NNW offshore. Energy 807. Another solid option.

So, the standout is Sunday the 16th – that 8-foot glassy groundswell is the one to plan for. The second-best mornings are Tuesday the 18th and Thursday the 20th for cleaner, slightly smaller, but still solid surf. The rest of the 16 days is mostly flat, windy, or just ordinary.

Water temp is about average for this time of year at Freshwater. Nothing unusual.

Rusty, out.

Read more