H-Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s coming up at H-Reef.

Truth is, we’ve got a pretty flat and messy outlook for most of it. The first real recommendation isn’t until Monday August 31st, and from there it’s a long haul of poor surf with a side-shore wind mucking it up. There’s moderate wave energy kicking in around Wednesday September 2nd, with a combined swell energy of 647, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore and the period is a short 8 seconds, so you’re looking at bumpy, weak lines. There’s a real dry spell right through to the end of the first week where you’re better off doing something else.

But there’s one window that gets the heart rate up. By Friday September 4th, the swell period jumps to 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell – and the combined energy hits a strong 1567. Swell height is around 7 ft from the east-northeast. Water temp is about 80°, dead average for the time of year, so nothing weird there. This energy sticks into Saturday the 5th (combined energy of 1731) and Sunday the 6th (combined energy of 2017). But the wind stays cross-shore (east to east-northeast at 12 mph), so it’s going to be lumpy. This reef is exposed and fairly consistent, but with that side wind and an 8 ft swell on Sunday, it’s experts only. The period over 11 seconds means long, powerful lines, but the cross breeze will make the takeoff tricky.

Then on Monday September 7th morning, we finally catch a break. The wind goes light offshore from the north-northeast at 9 mph, with an 8 ft swell from the east-northeast at 11 seconds. That’s the cleanest wind of the whole run. The combined energy is still very strong at 1605. There’s a risk of thunderstorms, but that offshore breeze will make it glassy. That’s the standout session. After that, it falls apart. By Tuesday the 8th, the swell drops to 4 ft and the period shortens back to 8 seconds, and it’s all side-shore again. From there it fades into weak, short-period slop all the way through to the end of the 16 days.

So if you’re keen, aim for Monday September 7th for a clean, solid 8 ft groundswell. Saturday and Sunday have the size but you’ll be dealing with the side wind. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

Read more