Hennemans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer down at Hennemans over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – this stretch is looking pretty quiet, and it’s going to be a bit of a struggle for most of the period. We’ve got a long, drawn-out run of small, weak swell and less-than-ideal wind angles. Don’t get your hopes up for anything firing. The water’s sitting at 71°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – not something you’d normally notice, but a nice little bonus if you’re out there.

The first real chance to paddle out, and I mean a slim chance, is on Friday the 21st of August. We’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the SW with a period around 13 seconds. The combined energy is weak (246) and conditions are described as marginal. The wind is light and onshore to start, so the shape won't be great. It’s an inconsistent reef break here, so you’ll be sitting waiting for a long time between sets. It’s not a write-off, but honestly, it’s barely worth waxing the board for.

This quiet pattern drags on through the rest of August and into the first few days of September. The swell stays stubbornly small, mostly between 1ft and 2ft, with combined energy mostly in the low to mid hundreds – nothing with any real push. The wind flops around from the W and WNW, mostly cross-onshore, which keeps the surface a bit bumpy. There are maybe a couple of mornings where it’s light enough to get a slide on the absolute weakest of waves, but the forecast doesn’t wave any flags for excitement.

The one glimmer in this whole outlook, and I mean the one thing worth circling on your calendar, is the 29th of August. That Saturday morning we finally see a pulse of energy, with swell climbing to 3ft from the SW with a period of 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to a solid moderate level (677). Now, this is a long period swell, and on a reef like Hennemans, that can mean some nice, lined-up waves, but it can also be a bit fickle and the sets will be spaced out. The wind is still a cross-onshore breeze out of the WNW, so it won't be glass, but it’s manageable and the waves will have some push. Afternoon drops back slightly but stays around 3ft. This is the standout, but it’s still only marginal overall; the forecast for the day is “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so don’t expect perfection. Even so, if you’re desperate for a surf, this is the best you’re going to get in this 16-day run. Just remember, crowds are possible here, so you might have some company if the word gets out.

Sunday the 30th holds similar size – 4ft from the SW with a 15-second period and moderate energy (580). The wind is more onshore, though, so the surface will get messier. Not the quality of the Saturday.

After that, the trend back down is quick. The first of September and beyond returns to tiny, weak swell with poor wind. Thursday the 3rd of September has a very small bump (2ft, SW), but it’s nothing to write home about and there’s rain showers that could make for a gloomy paddle.

Basically, it’s a long, quiet run with only one day that really stands out: Saturday the 29th of August at Hennemans. For the rest? You’re better off checking the forecasts again next week.

Rusty.

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