Hanamizu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Oi, Rusty here. Lookin' at the Hanamizu River stretch over the next 16 days, and straight up, it's a lean run. There's a big gap of near-nothin' for the first week and a half, so don't be in a rush. The water temp is sittin' pretty average for this time of year, nothin' unusual there.

Alright, let's get into it. The first bit of hope pops up late on Thursday, September 10. The mornin' is still a write-off with risk tstorms and messy cross-shore wind, but by Thursday afternoon, it's a whole different story. The wind goes glassy, and we're lookin' at a clean 6.9ft swell from the south (period 9 seconds). The combined wave energy is strong (1083), and conditions are set to be very good. That's the standout of the whole window. The swell is solid, over 6.5ft, so this is one for experienced surfers – the river mouth can handle that size, but it'll be powerful.

The rest of the period is a struggle. There's a pulse of energy on Tuesday, September 8, with a 4.9ft south swell and light onshore wind, but it's marginal. Then, on Wednesday, September 9, things get big and ugly with a 9.8ft south swell and 25 km/h cross-onshore winds. That's a 2172 combined energy reading, but with that wind, it's a messy, dangerous beast. Only for the hardcore experts, and even then, it's a kite-surfin' day more than a paddle day.

Later on, around Thursday, September 17, there's a long-period south swell (16 seconds) rollin' in at 1.6ft, but it's very ordinary. September 18 has a bit more size at 4.3ft with a 15-second period from the SSE, but it's just marginal. The set gaps will be long with that period, so while it's a better wave shape, you'll be waitin'. The crowds are listed as "sometimes" at this spot, so on the good days, expect a few others with the same idea.

Overall, if you're not after that Thursday 10th afternoon session, you're better off waitin' for the next system. This forecast is thin, but it only takes one glassy afternoon to make it worth it.

Read more