Hangers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it's a tough stretch. We've got a long, frustrating run of messy conditions and very ordinary surf before things finally start to look a little more interesting right at the very end of the forecast window.

First thing to say is that we are looking at a massive gap with no real surf to get excited about. From right now, right through until the 22nd of September, it's basically a write-off. The wind is a constant problem, mostly a fresh onshore or cross-onshore breeze, and the swell is small and weak. We're talking combined energy readings barely getting into triple digits (133) early on, and the surf is described as "poor surf conditions" day after day. It's not a good look.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on the morning of Tuesday the 22nd of September at Hangers (beach and reef). The wind goes glassy, which is a major positive, and the swell is tiny but at least it's clean. The energy is moderate (130), but with waves at only 3ft from the E, it's only the most optimistic skimboarder who might find something to play with. It's surfable, but only just.

The situation then goes straight back into the doldrums. More onshore wind, more small, weak swell through the 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th of September. The energy picks up a bit, but it's accompanied by fresh winds and a generally sloppy outlook. On the afternoon of the 27th, we even see a jump to 7ft, but with a cross-on breeze and a choppy description, it's a mess.

Now, for the sharp end of the forecast. The end of September and start of October is where things get interesting, but it’s a big caveat. On Monday the 28th of September, the swell absolutely detonates. We're talking 10ft on the morning, 12ft by the afternoon, with a combined energy reading of 2299. That is strong, powerful energy. However, the period is only 10 seconds, and the wind is onshore. The notes say the swell is predicted to be too big for this break, and honestly, with that much size and short-period windswell, it's going to be a washing machine. Only experts should even consider it, and even then, it looks grim.

The standout, and really the only true standout in the entire outlook, is the morning of Thursday the 1st of October at Hangers. The stars finally align. The wind is glassy, absolutely dead calm. The swell is a much more manageable 4ft from the ENE with a long period of 11 seconds, giving moderate energy (370). This has the makings of proper, clean groundswell. The comment says "expect good surf conditions," and for the first time in this entire forecast, I believe it. That long-period swell will wrap in nicely here, offering clean, lined-up waves for the guys who can pick the right bank. This is your target. Get on it.

Keep in mind, Hangers is a fairly consistent spot, but crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might not be alone out there on that sweet glassy morning. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

So, to sum it up: the next 12 days are mostly a frustrating grind of poor conditions. The big swell at the end of September is for experts only. But that glassy morning on Thursday the 1st of October? That's the one to circle. Don't get your hopes up about anything else.

Rusty.

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