Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for the local stretch.

Looking at the whole 16-day window, it's a tough run ahead. We’ve got a long, quiet stretch coming up with nothing really worth paddling out for until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then, conditions are far from perfect. For a spot like Freshwater and Harbord that’s usually pretty consistent, this is a frustratingly blank period.

The first real blip on the radar hits on Tuesday the 8th of September. We see a jump in size with a 7 ft swell pushing in from the SSE. The wave energy is moderate, registering at 572. But here’s the catch – that SSE direction is blowing straight onshore, and we’ve got a moderate breeze out of the south creating a cross-onshore chop. The water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s going to be messy, lumpy, and honestly, more of a battle than a pleasure. This size is too much for beginners and will be a challenge for intermediates. For the experienced crew, if you’re desperate, you might find a few, but it’s not the call.

After that, the pattern gets even quieter. The rest of the week and into the second week sees tiny waves, mostly under 2 ft. The wind does swing offshore a few times, like on Monday morning the 7th with glassy conditions from the WSW, but there’s simply no energy behind it – the swell is a weak 0.7 ft. It’s a classic case of “clean but nothing.”

There’s a very brief uptick on Monday the 14th of September with a 4 ft NE swell (energy at 183). The wind is cross-offshore from the north, keeping things clean. But the period is short at 7 seconds, so the waves will be a bit weak and won’t have much push. It’s a better option than most, but still not a standout. Crowds are often here, so expect company even for small waves.

The real low point comes late in the forecast. By Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th of September, a strong southerly blast moves in. We’re talking 28 to 34 mph winds from the SSE, with rain. This is blown-out, messy, and downright ugly. The swell is tiny. For a sheltered spot like this, when the wind and rain hit that hard, it’s not even worth looking at the ocean.

The best of a bad bunch: Honestly, there isn’t a true standout. The best chance for a surf, if you’re really keen, is Monday the 14th of September at Freshwater and Harbord. The 4 ft NE swell with clean, cross-offshore winds is the most rideable combo in this whole period. Keep your expectations low on the quality, but it’s the least worst option.

If you’re a kite surfer, the strong onshore days on the 8th and especially the 17th-18th will be more interesting than anything a paddle surfer can do.

Stay patient, folks. This is a lean run.

Rusty.

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